The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-31
Railroads Charged With Discrim-
nation Benefiting Oil Trust
in New War.
TWO PETITIONS FILED
WITH THE COMMISSION
Seven Lines Named in Complaint,
Alleging Excessive Charge
of Is Cents.
journal Special Service.

journal Special service
Washington, Oct. 31.-Another sweep
ing attack has been launched against
the Standard Oil company before the
Interstate commerce commission. Three
complaints have been filed by the indie
pendent oil producers, charging that the
railroads are discriminating in favor
of the Rockefeller corporation in the
matter of freight rates All the west
ern roads centerlng in Chicago and
number of the eastern trunk lines are
named as defendants. ..'..a.s $3.50
The three petitions are signed by the
National Petroleum association Of
Cleveland, In the first complaint the
rates on oil to western and Pacific
points are attacked. It sets forth that
the rates to Pacific coast terminals out
of Whiting, Ind, as compared to the
rates from Cleveland, are much lower.
From Toledo and Findlay, Ohio, the
rate is 9O1a cents hundred; from
Cleveland, SO cents; from Marietta,
g51a cents, and Pittsburg, Oil City,
Titusville, Bradford, Warren and Free
pendent producers say they have to pay
$1.05 to get their cars back from the
Pacific coast, -~r. ..-~, - +
~, Demand Reasonable Rate. ?
In comparison to these alleged exces-
sive rates the complainants set forth
that the Standard pays 1919 cents from
its great. Whiting plant. Before the In
diana refining center was established,
1t is charged that the rates fro-l all
points in the eastern oil region were
the same, and that the rates now in
force are unjust, unreasonable and un-
is asked TO fix reasonable rate and
also to establish a lower charge than
$1O5 for hauling back these empty tank
cars. ~ H. fig r.~., .
In the two other petitions complaint
is made against the Milwaukee, North
Western, Burlington, Chicago Great
Western; Rock Island; Illinois Central
and Wabash, for excessive rates from
Fails. St Paul. MINNEAPOLIS - and Duluth
In the case Of Omaha, Sioux City and
stead Of 81 and % cents the rate should
be Is cents hundred. In the case
of the northwestern points the commits
sion is asked to reduce the rate from
20 to 1917 cents per hundred.
Brands Relating Robbery.
Chicago, Oct. 31.-Rudolph N. Pat.
terson, president of the auditing com.
pany which has inspired number of
suits against the Chicago 81 Alton
road, alleging discrimination in freight
rates, took the stand today in the hear
ing Of the first case against the road
brought in the name of Zambrock 4
Sons, Springfield, III. Patterson de
clared on the stand today that he hao
q verbal agreement with the plaintiffs
by which his company was to receive
30 per cent of the amount recovered
from the railway. o.,
amount of the robbery said the wit
ness.
1IWhat is that9'' demanded Attor
ney Shaw Of the Alton. . ,*.-.:
HDid you say so per cent Of tn
'robbery'9' - 81:
Showed Discrimination. a 4
4. '1Yes,'' said Patterson. II told MI
Handbook that the railroad had bee
robbing him for years and said h
could recover damages as well as tn
sum paid by him in excess of the prop
er amount" ......
The witness produced duplicat
freight waybillls showing that SO cent t
pounds Of freig ht from East St. LOU
to Springfield, while but Is cents ha
been charged for a shipment Of tn
same amount and of the sa1fe class 0
goods from East St, Louis to ,Peori:
# is claimed by the railroad compan
that the freight. bills are destroye
every year and that they have not
their possession the original bills G
the copies shown by Patterson. ...-
The hearing Of the case went owe
for day with Patterson still on tt
stand ... -. --..--