Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-13
PROBING GRAIN ROADS
Investigation by interstate
Commerce Commission.
THE QUESTIONS PREPARED
Cover Everything in the Field Of In
quiry.
EXTENT OF SPECIAL FAvORS
Granted by Roads to the Elevators
and the Influence They Had
on the Market.
xTENT OF SPECIAL FAvoRs

Investigation Of the grain elevator bust
ness of the United States will be the prob
lem with which the Interstate commerce
commission will have to deal before the
meeting of Congress this fall. There have
been prepared nine questions from the
commission addressed to all Of the railroads
Of the country, and these were forwarded
today, with requests for a detailed reply
not later than August Is. The scope Of
the questions indicates that the replies will
be voiuminous. and will form the material
for big report to Congress
The questions have been prepared in pur-
suance of the Senate resolutions passed
late in the session directing the interstate
commerce commission to inquire into all
OF the elevator, grain buying and forward
ing business of the country. and the ex-
tent to which special favors had been
granted to the elevators by the railroad
companies and the influence which the al
legged monopolizing OF this branch of bust
ness has had on the market. The inquiry
will also include the holdings, IL any, OF
elevator stock by the railroad officials. with
a view to seeing whether there has been
going on the same species of graft that
was uncovered IN the coai-road investfga-
ton.
The Questions.
The questions are ALIEN bracing in the
Ieiu GONSTeu ny Inc inquiry 1Ae COi1AAliS-
sion demands of the railroads the names
and location of all the elevators on their
lines. or upon any switch. sidetrack or spur
therefrom; the capacity thereof. If known
to the railway company: and which of
such elevators If any, are used solely for
grain owned or handled and shipped by
the operator thereof.
The name and post office address is de-
manded of each person, firm. company or
corporation operating every such elevator,
and whether the same is operated by the
actual owner thereof. under lease or
other contract or agreement for use, and
If the latter. the name and post office ad-
dress of the actual owner of every such
elevator.
The railroads are asked which If any, OF
the elevators referred to above are located
upon the right of way land of the rail-
way company, the terms and conditions
upon which the use of such right of way
or land was and is allowed, and whether
the like privilege Is open to all persons de-
string to build and use an elevator along
the line.
As to Stock Grating.
The question of stock grating is covered
by the query: What, If any, interest
through stock ownership or otherwise your
company has in any elevator as properly
or In the operation thereof Under this
heading describe fully all of the relations
OF your company with each and every ele-
vator along its line. including not only any
ownership or part ownership 1t may have
therein. or financial interest In the opera
ton thereof but also any and all allow
ances which may be made to any elevator,
or the operator thereof, by your company.
Also state specifically which, II any, oper-
ator of any elevator in which your COM
pany has an interest, or to which 1t makes
an allowance in money or otherwise Tor
the elevation transfer of grain, Is a
shipper of grain over your company's line.
File with your statement hereunder copies
of all leases, contracts or other agree
rnents between your company and the own
ers or operators of elevators along or ad-
jacent to your line or lines of road"
The questions also go into the amount Of
grain forwarded by the various large ship
pers over the line of the railroad and the
interest, If any, that these shippers have
in the elevators. 1t is also asked whether
the railroad, either directly indirectly,
owns any of the elevators along its line
either through interest by stock ownership
or otherwise The commission further
wants to know. so far as the railroads can
ascertain. whether any of the officers or
employees of the roads are interested in the
elevators in question or in any company
occupied In the buying or forwarding OF
grain.
Car Distribution.
The question Of car distribution, which
played important a part In the investi-
cation of the coal roads, Is also gone into,
and the railroads are directed to furnish
detailed statement showing their methods
Of grain car distribution:
1t Is also asked what special facilities
have been granted during the past three
years to any grain shipper under stress OF
competition or other conditions with d view
to maintaining or increasing traffic in
grain over the line. and whether these spe-
cial privileges and facilities depend on the
amount of grain shipped.
Altogether the inquiry as outlined is very
comprehensive and promises to keep both
the railroad and the commission busy for
some time.