New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-19
FIGHT PRIVATE LINES.
RAILROADS GIVE AID.
Far Reaching Contest Begun by
Interstate Commerce Com mission.

Washington, Oct. 1s.--What promises to extend
into legal and legislative battle against private
car lines was begun BY the Interstate Commerce
commission by the course taken to-day at the be-
ginning Of the hearing held 70 show the connection
between refrigerator lines and railroads Coun-
sci for the commission used every effort TO bring
out that great railroad systems. operating their
Own refriEeTa tor lines, give TO their SINNERS 2
much lower for refrigeration than is obtained
CT roads that gre compelled TO operate in connec-
r.or with private car lines
n this the railroads. notably the Illinois Central
sud the Pennsylvania. through their freight traffic
managers who were the stand the greater part
OF the day apparently aided the commission. As a
result, there were many sharp THIS between the
counsel for the commission and the attorneys for
the Armour car lines and other private companies.
The action Of the commission in initiating and
prosecuting the complaints has the double purpose
OF establishing its Jurisdiction private car
lines and correcting the evils complained OF The
chief contest is expected develop the point OF
jurisdiction
Tie first case was practically directed against
al Of the roads Of the Southeastern United states
and the Armour car lines. Among these roads were
he Pennsylvania, the Seaboard Air Line Atlantic
Coast Line and The Central Railroad OF Georgia
Chairman Knapp said he presumed II would be
the duty of the commission 10 make q definite
order against any defendant found guilty Of vfo-
Iattng the regulations or 10 dismiss proceedings in
specific cases wnere the proofs sustained the de-
mails.
" c. Rowley, general freight agent OF the Mich
gan Central. testified that his road has no contracts
with refrigerator lines; that IL had borrowed during
The fruit season 80 cars from the Santa Fe Re
frise-aror Dispatch under the agreement to lend
& Ike number 10 the Dispatch linz at other times
but that the Dispatch line had nothing TO do with
charges made for transit or TO- icing The road,
ne said, paid three-quarters Of a cent q mile for
The cars borrowed, whether operated empty or
loaded
The shippers are charged s. 90 a ton for ice put
in cars said Mr.. Rowley. He estimated the actual
cost OF icing including hauIs interest on
house Investments a g 81 ton. The cost Of icing
q cer from Grand Rapids Mich. TO Boston. Mass.
estimated a 50, and he Contended that the
price was down 10 the actual cost
F B. Bowles freight traffic manager Of the
Illinois Central road. testified that his railroad
operated Ass refrigerator cars and had agree
T6ere was inference in the amount paid accord
ing The territory IN which The cars were op-
Grated The rate north OF CAIRO, H. was one
cent a mile an6 from Chicago 10 he Southeast east
compelled 10 pay the rate paid by lis competitors
though no contract existed.
The Illinois Central gets paid the same when
us cars a-e used on other ines" said counsel for
1t does not. replied Nj Bowles. We receive
per diem charge Of y cents car. the same as We
receive stock or box cars
NJ BoEles fled statement TO show that the
Illinois Central railroad refrigerator averaged
eage BASS The t- 7eoePts car YOU'D Be about
g cents. IN other words, he said, the private
than the railroads themselves. -.s-.-.
-e- ears OF berries shipped from Independence La
Chicago. said they were iced three times on the
Eay and that the total cost OF ice for them was
s46 The ice costing the company from s. 10 s. 80
(
rhe cost OF refrigeration stated included only the
Of ice, hauling and the labor involved IN load
ing th~ cars Damage suits growing out OF re
fr.geracor service were not considered The cost
Of ice il the South was less than II would be 20
he Armour tines, the Illinois Central assessed a
low charge on hx11nE ice South. Mr.. BOwles con-
ceded further tts- refrigerator cars used
frequently for ordinary freight. and that if the
7Dfz -l11i1 irPTa
only short periOd Of each year the road could
afford own them.
G D. Dixon. freight traffic manager Of the Penn
sylvsnta Railroad, said that refrigerator cars
owned by the Pennsylvania were iced by the ship
per but that Te-iCing when necessary was charged
the bill Of ladjnE. The road had no connection
with the Armour any other private line. but paid
threequarters or mile for use OF refriger-
ator cars. The road owned its own icing stations
and iced any cars that needed il The Pennsyl-
vania owned 5.tB refrigerator cars. and supplied
them 70 ship7eCssat q rate lower than that Of the
The hearing vas continued until tomorrow morn