The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-10
.SOLONS DIG UP
REBATE EVIDENCE.
INQUIRE INTO ABSORPTION OF
SOUTH asT, PAUL CHARGES.
Representatives Of Railroads Explain
that the Concession is Necessary in
Order to Enable the Packing Plant
to Compete with the Big. Institutions
at Chicago. 81

Discrimination in favor of the big
Swift packing plant at South st. Paul
by the Northern Pacific road was the
topic before the joint-rate investlgat-
ing committee Of the legislature at St..
Paul yesterday afternoon.
u. p. Still, assistant general freight
agent OF the Northern Pacific, repre-
sented the road, and j. S. Bangs, man
ager of the Swift plant, appeared in
defense of his concern: George s. Lof-
tus conducted the prosecution, on the
formal allegation that the Northern
Pacific assumed the Great Western
swift ching charges of $3.50 a car on
business shipped by Duluth into the
copper country.
s'When the South st. Paul industry
was first established,,' said Mr.. Still,
all common carriers desired to aid
It, and so the custom Of our assuming
the switching charge became estab-
lished. He then, asserted that the
rebate OF the switching charges was
necessary, or Swift & CO. Of South St.
Paul would be unable. to secure Duluth
and copper country business in compe-
tltlon with the packing houses in Chi
cago. A little later it, was demon:
strated that even with payment Of the
switching charges the South st. Paul
t.oo A'u JUL Wouiu Ues III "a sUetIer POSI-
ton to secure copper-co country business
than the Chicago packing houses. This
was explained by E. ]. Cannon, repre-
.senting the State Shippers association.
!, South st. Paul has an advantage of
"a cents over . Chicago, = he said.
There is a difference Of Il cents per
hundredweight in freight from st. Paul
to Duluth. The rate from st. Paul to
I Duluth IS 10 cents: Chicago to Duluth,
"a cents: In addition there will aver:
age dltterenee Of 10 cents per hun.
vor of South st. Paul. There is also a
South ST. Paul advantage Of about &c
| cents per 'hundredweight differential on
livestock, most Of which comes from the
west" ..#. ga 49,
Mr.. Bangs, attempted to explain that
the South st. Paul market was fire.
quently as high as the Chicago quota
tons; that livestock men preferred tt
ship to a big market like Chicago
was seconded in this, explanation by
Mr.: Still. Then Representative W. /
Nolan read from the market page OF
= n j our nal, showing the actua
| difference in. quotations between Chi
cago and South St. Paul.
| . AS matter Of fact,' Representa-
tive Nolan asked Mr.. Still, HEaren >
you aware that there is very little com
petition between the big packers il
bine ?'@@ ,%i<~t7 i. I'd = E.'2a,..-
- am not any more aware of it. thai
am. Of the reported combine of tn
Great Northern, Northern Pacific AM
Burlington, - replied the railroad man
| Does the livestock shipper to til
South st. Paul plant of Swift & Co
get the benefit Of the $3.50 switching
charge rebate, as well as the plant whei
1T eventually ships this same stock a
UNo, SIR; repiiedyMr. STIR siiin
j Mr.. LOTUS took the opportunity;st
explain that: the rebating of the So.
switching charge to Swift practicall
cut; the l0-cent rate, to g. cents on j;
25,000-pound car to Duluth. ''Thi
method of cutting rates in favor of on
shipper is certainly Within the power O
the railroad commission to prohibit,
ne said. 'sThis discrepancy should b
i shown on the: railroad company's tart,
Il Sheets.''
Haven't you the power to e,nforc
publication of the real rate?' aske
Representative Washburn of Thoma
Yapp, statistician Of the railroad con
mission -.
II can't answer that,'' was til
guarded reply of the railroad commits
OAOA . 4Op1
HHave any other shippers ever aske
) for this switching charge rebate9
continued Mr.. Washburn.
~" Yes, sir; we have and have been r.
: fused. - responded LOTUS. .. .,.....-
u Mr.. LOTUS didn t. put it to us as tn
packers did," explained Mr.. Still. "H
simply demanded the rebate becaus
Swift received it. AS I have befo1
explained, if any other big shipper j
St. Paul will explain to2us as did Swi1
that such elimination of the sWitchin
charge is necessary in order for them I
continue in business with Chicago con
petitors, we will give the matter Garrett
} consideration 49,. ~
"He has explained the case to my sa
isfaction,' remarked LOTUS, -.
The second section of, the linguistic
was in the matter Of rates on grain an
other classes Of goods, discriminate
{ and exorbitant charges being allege
Mr.. Still was ready in each case and e.
planned the reason for the manner
; which the business was done. cit W;
done strictly according TO the tar
which was issued and filed with II
commission, said he in each case. Il.
Mr.. Still became much incensed du
ing the hearing at Mr.. LOTUS, az
rather warm language was occasional
; INDUCED in, Mr.. Still was once remin
ed that no personalities were to be i
dulged in.