The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-08-10
Will Exhibit Books to Rail-
way Commission.
STICkNEY ON THE STAND
Chicago Great Western President
Did Not Yield Up Vast Amount
of Railway information.

opposition 10 tHe eAahiihatioh VI 'h@h
books and records, as ordered by the
railway and warehouse commission.
They, and it is presumed, the others
will bow to the will of and the author
itv of the board, and the examination
will proceed as soon as arrangements can
be made. There may possibly be some
argument on the scope of the inquiry
and those who will make it.
c. A. Severance, who is representing
the railroads, in the merchandise rate
hearing, informed the board of the roads
acquiescence, and now all that remains
is the naming of experts. The experts
will probably be drawn from the pub
lie examiners and the attorney generals
office.
Il received service of an order late
Saturday" said Mr.. Severance, relative
to the St. Paul road, and similar in con
struction to the/Order relating to exam
nation of the Great Northern's records.
Il have not the least doubt but what
the st. Paul will permit of an examina-
ton of its records as will all the other
roads concerned and with whose officials
| have conversed on the subject. | took
the liberty, however, in the case of the
st. Paul, to write to the company s
headquarters in Chicago and state that
although they were summoned to show
their records this morning, that in view
of the fact that the Great Northern was
to appear the same time 1 did not think
they would be needed today.
Il have no doubt, whatever, but what
the st. Paul will permit of an examina-
ton of its accounts at its head offices
in Chicago, as with the Great Northern,
Northern Pacific, 500, Omaha and Great
Western.
Il might remark at this time that |
believe the order of the commission is
too general to comply with, but we are
willing an examination should be made,
with the understanding that the exam
nations will simply be along lines to
verify figures already submitted by us
In evidence and for the purpose of Sc
curing such evidence as may be needed
on the subjects in evidence for cross
examination of witnesses"
Does this meet with your under
standing and approval?" asked Commits
sioner Ira B. Mills, of Attorney James
Manahan.
1T does" was the response of the at
torney for the Minnesota Shippers asso-
citation, except that, as / said at the
last session, | think | should be allowed
the services of an expert accountant to
aid me in my examinations. But in
view of the attitude the railroad com.
panies have taken this morning, | will
not now press this point, although |
want to reserve the right to later make
the application for an assistant if it is
necessary. l am willing to personally
investigate the railroad records as best |
can. Only, | wish to make an examina-
tion of the Great Western records after
| have been permitted to have the com.
pany's president, A. B. Stickney, on the
witness stand"
Mr.. Severance suggested Mr.. Sticknev
be secured at once. A phone message to
the Great Western offices soon brought
Mr.. Stckney, who was willing wit
ness.
Mr.. Stickney testified that he based
his calculations on the file with the
commission on figures from the Great
Western records and also estimates. The
cost on straight -away hauls differed
with different kinds of freight handled
Did he take into consideration the earn
ing capacity of other roads in making
his estimates? No, he had confined him
self altogether to the Great Western.
In a genral way he knew, however. his
operating expenses were heavier than
the Nothen roads and that his trains
had to make more speed How did he
know this? From the fact that reported
weights of Northern road trains could
not be hauled at the speed necessary
on Great Western lines; it was a physi-
cal impossibiity. The Great Western
had to make greater speed because
nearly every point it touched was com
petitWe with some other one or more
lines. For this reason, also, small lots
OF freight had to be forwarded daily
instead of waiting until they amounted
TO carload lots. This adds to operating
cost
In testifying as to accounts of the
Great Western, Mr. Stickney said:
No railroad keeps ledger account of
the cost of handling different kinds of
freight. The records at railroad office
are too extensive for me to describe