The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-02
Rate Hearings End.

The rate hearings before the state
railroad and warehouse commission
came to a sudden conclusion late yester-
day afternoon.
Commissioner G. F. Staples, repre-
senting the commission, made a state
ment that the commission had practi-
cally decided that the schedule of re-
ductiaas offered the roads by the com
mission some time ago was no>- too
cided to close the case then and there.
G, IA. Severance, representing the
railroads, made a heated protest
against closing the case without per-
mitting him to make a final argument
for his clients. In this he was supported
in still more, animated speech by
James A. Manahan, attorney for the
complainants, who openly charged that
o. the decision was thus being made with
undue haste for political effect.
Eric FOlson, who had occupied the
time of the commission all yesterday
afternoon. and wanted to take up sew
eral days Emore, also, made protest
against lending the hearing and insisted
he should have been given an oppor-
tunitysto; summon James j., Hill to the
witness stand, offering, if allowed to
question the Great Northern president,
to prove thru admissions that Mr.. Hill
stock of the Great Northern was
watered.
These discourses made no, difference
to the commission, however, the three
commissioners quietly listening to the
remarks hurled at them without vol
unteering any reply or swerving from
the ruling which Mr.. Sta pies had an
nounced for the commission.
IS &, Eric Olson Second. Wind.
The ruling on the question by Mr..
Staples was made just when Mr.. Olson
who had been testifying for several
hours, was getting his second wind to
introduce a LOT. more evidence about
general values of Great Northern prop
critics. Mr.. Olson's evidence had re,
lated solely toginterstate and trans
continental business over which the
commission has no jurisdiction, and
when Mr.. Olson announced that he had
lot more evidenee' relating to values
OF the entire railroad system, it was
regarded a straw too much by the com.
missiOners. .-
, How much more evidence have you
to submit9' Mr.. Olson was asked.
GG"I couldn It finish if. 1 talked till
tomorrow morning. was Mr.. Olson s
response, which cinched the matter.
After a few moments consultation
Mr.: Staples spoke.
...,The commission does not feel,' he
said, "that any additional, any more
testimony, can throw further light on
this particular case. We believe the
testimony already in will Justify the
reductions first outlined to the railroads
some time ago by the commission reIa.
tive to merchandise rates. That is the
present attitude Of the commission. We
have no purpose, however, unjustly tc
cut any one off, but we see no object
in continuing along these lines. If the
counsel desire to present arguments
they will probably be listened to as
ably Tuesday,
Olson was the first to respond to the
commission
- From the Developments in Mr.. Far
rington's testimony he said, "and
from the fact that I personally filed
commission ought to let me get in all
the testimony I have. I want to show
that it is fair to double the reduction
the commission has proposed. And fol-
me to show this, it is very necessary
to have James J. Hill on the witness
stand: He: will be here at the state
fair Monday and I will personally un.
detake to serve subpoena on him at
that time if allowed. L pick out Mr.
3 -, peIauee we nave Cne pest case
against the Great Northern. That road
can haul the heaviest trains. I want tc
pc given more time and should be per,
mitted to cross examine Mr.. Hill on
the witness stand. Every dollar of
the Great Northern stock is water, and
I.think [ can get this out of Mr.. Hill
II | get him on the witness stand.
We people in the country want
fairer rates. and should be allowed to
prove that we should have them. Your
great cities are killing our small towns
The people are leaving our little vii
lagos like rats from a sinking shin
We not only want merchandise rates
reduced, but reduced to a fair basis.'
By MIR. Severance.
Mr.. Severance then had sometbino
to say for the railroads.
came hefnre the cnnonoisaio,, !.