Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-29
RAILROAD MEN AT CAPITAL
Agents of Western Lines Consult Interstate
Commerce commission,
WILL ASSIST IN ENFORCING LAW
TraHic Men to Appoint COM
mittec to Report All Cases of
Rebates and Discrim-
inGtion.
WILL ASSIST IN ENFORCING LAW

of the leading Transmississippi railroads
were i'm conference with the Interstate
Commerce commission today concerning re-
bates and the efforts of the commission to
do away with discrimination by the rail-
roads in favor Of large shippers. j. c.
Stubs, vice president and traffic director of
the Hartman lines, was the spokesman
for the railroad men, and held brief con-
ference with his associates before they APP
peared before the commission. Chairman
Knapp and Commissioners Cockrell and
Clements were the only members present,
the other commissioners being out of the
city. The railroad men attending lie con-
ference were: T. O. Nicholson, vice presi-
dent Of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fc;
II. r. Mccullough. vice president of the
Chicago Northwestern; II. II. Hiland vice
president of the Chicago, Milwaukee IL
St Paul J. NJ Johnson, assistant to the
vice president of the Gould lines; J. T.
Holden, freight traffic manage, of the Rock
Island; ]. W. Bladen, freight traffic man
ager of the Chicago & Alton; Howard Nor
ris, vice president and general counsel OF
the Wisconsin Central; c. L. Wellington
general traffic manager Of the Colorado
Southern; c. Halle. traffic manager Mis-
souri,, Kansas & Texas; w. L. Martin, vice
dent and traffic director of the Hartman
lines F. f. smythe. general freight agent
of the Kansas City Southern.
The conference. which was not public,
lasted for more than two hours. The rep
rescntatives of the railroads referred all
inquiries regarding the meeting 10 Chair
man Knapp, who said the committee de-
sired the assistance of the commission in
preventing rebates, and through the repre-
sentstives of the different western roads
stated that the companies are determined
to put stop to discrimination in favor
of large shippers.
Committee to Aid Commission.
Through Mr.. Stubbs, who was the chief
speaker. and practically all the other
members of the committee, the railway in
terests were represented being anxious
to have the commission assist a railway
committee in looking into all grievances.
Mr. Knapp said the speakers even ex-
pressed willingness to have such 4 COM
mittee headed by man without railway
! interests who shall act as the go-between
| in all conferences between the railway
committee and the commission.
! Several of the railway men assured the
! commission that the public conscience has
been aroused by rebate disclosures and that
many prominent shippers have announced
| they will accept no concessions of any sort
! which may cause them to be classed with
( corpora tions which have profited by special
| rates. This sentiment 1t was urged by the
railway men, will assist materially in the
NOV ment of the railways to abolish re-
bates.
/ Mr.. Knapp and the other two members of
! the commission who attended the confer
ence assured the railway men that the com
mission will gladly cooperate with the rail-
way interests in stopeing rebates and in in
! vestigating any grievances. In return for
activity among the railways in trying to
abolish determinations Chairman Knapp
said the railway committee did not ask con-
cessons of any sort from the commission,
/ but merely desired cooperation.
Statement by Commission.
| The following statement of the meeting
was made by the Interstate Commerce com
mission:
The conference today with western rail-
way officials was not sought by the com
mission, as certain papers have incorrectly
| stated. but its purpose was legitimate and
Commendable and warrants the expectation
! Of beneficial results, At a recent meeting in
( Chicago the representatives OF practically
| all the lines west of that city, from the
Canadian border to the gulf adopted the
! following resolution: THAT Joint commit
Tee, representative or lines IN the western
. trunk line committee, the Transmissouri
, Freight bureau, southwestern tariff COM
mittee and the transcontinental freight rate
! committee, be instructed to wait upon the
Interstate Commerce commission. The de
sire and purpose of the respective members
of said committees or bureaus Is to co-opcrat C
! with the commission on the enforcement Of
, the law to the extent of pointing out ways
/ and means and giving the commission any
SPECIFIC information that may come TO Its
knowledge which will lead to effective in
quiry in uncoverlng unlawful practices
/ The object of the committee, whose
names have been published was to present
! this resolution and to assure the commits
sion of the determined and united dispo-
sItion of the lines represented to conform
| TO the law in good faith and in every re-
spect to aid tho commission in it's en-
! forcement Pledges TO this effect were
given by all present with the further
promise tn report every Illegal transaction
which may come to their knowledge oil
of which they may have well grounded
suspicion.
While this visit was unsolicited as above
stated, 1t not unwelcome, and the
commission has no reason to doubt the
tical value. That IT will result i'm the
complete discontinuance of wrongful prac-
/ tees is perhaps too much TO expect, fol
! time alone will test the degree OF It's use.
! fulness, but "A marked Improvement in the
! observance of tariff rates may be fairly
| anticipated. If the promised corporation
/ is actually and continuously afforded, The
payment of rebates and tho granting OF
secret advantage will be reduced, il il
| hoped To a minimum,