The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-27
Hill AIMS Toad THE FARMER
GREAT NORTHERN RATES MADE
no BENEFIT BIGGEST INTEREST.
demonstrates Before Minnesota Railr cad
commission How whole state Gains
by Farmers Prosperity -Road Target
for DemaGexues-Grsmme Nm Trsnic.

commission How whole state Gains
by Prosperity -noad Target
4 for DenaGexues -Grsmmer On Trsnic.
p 81. PAUL, Nov. ?~e.-Jamss j. Hill was on
the stand to-day before the State Railroad
Commission In the rebsts ard rate investiga-
ton now in progress.
The commission was represented by
ttorney-General Young, who was called
10 direct the examination. Attorney Man
nahan. representing the shippers asso-
citation. was on hand to oross-examins
Mr.. Hill, but the commission decided 20
protect Mr.. Hill from his virulsnt attacks
and ruled him out.
This seemed 10 please Mr.. Hill, who sat
in he witness chair an Interested spectator
oi the scene which at one time suggested
aca!l on the police to ejent Attorney Man
nahan.
Mr. Mammalian qaieted for a short time
and Mr.. Hill began replying to the quss-
tons put to him.
In agricultural States like Minnesota
sad Mr. Hill, we aim to make reductions
On agricultural products, believing that
all the business OF thu State rests on its
agricultural int rests.
A railroad can carry only what 70 pro-
duced and to keep up Production ths pro-
ducer mus. he able to get his product TO
market
For twenty years. Nr. Hill said. he be-
heved the grain rates in Minnesota had
been lower than in the territory south.
A reduction in merchandise rates. he said.
might beneht the country merchant, or
the merchant who sold 20 him. depending
on who paid the freight. He gavs an
illustration TO show the benefit Of low rates
10 farmers.
A saving Of five cent q hundred he
SAID. ito a farmer with 500 bushels OF grain
would amount to about $40. The freight on
merchandise the farmer uses ia very little.
nothing, and he got the benefit. it vouldn't
amount 70 half that muoh.'
Mr.. Hill then recounted the history Of the
Great Northern in helping to get grain to
market, the building OF a line Of ships and
Of elevators at Buffalo. W have received
all kinds of kicks and cuts. The Great
Northern is the target of all the demagoguea
70 Minnesota. We are not building ships
AID elevators now. The agricultural
ciasses in Mime sofa don't help themselves.
Then followed que stions az to tina rsvsnus
from ditfe rent kinds Of freight.
IF loaded both ways" said Mr.. Hill
bulk freight, like grain and coal, can be
carried at one-ifth OF the merchandise
rates and the railroad would make mofs
money
Mr.. Hill reviewed the cost Of tr~ansporta-
ton and said he did not think IL would be
long until the Minnesota commission was
asked TO raise rates.
Then freight cars were taken up: "A
Hill. IF you have to haul 5000 pounds Of
car for 10000 pounds Of butter no rate is
soft coal. Mr.. Hill said; could not be
carried cheaper than hard coal and the
lower rate was q concession originally to
the greater number Of users.
Coal rates, The said. could be materially
reduced during the season the crops were
moving to CIV loads westward II they
could 30 kept up the rest Of the year
Mr.. Hin win probably be a witness again
CHrcAao, Nov. sd.-Cspt. Grammer Of
the New York Central lines said to-day:
In An testimony before the Interstate
Commerce. Commission In Minneapolis Mr..
Hll took credit for reducing elevator
bushel for unloading and shovelling grain,
saving farmers 81 900, 900 a year.
The fact Is, he did not reduce the charges.
They were reduced before he began TO
IL was because q certain percentage OF busi-
ness he demanded was refused.
Without checking up figures, l cannot
say whether the Great Northern's grain
trafio equals nearly twice "a muon as the
combined receipts in Chicago by all roads,
but | do know that the Pittsburg district
originates more traffic than oil Western
roads put together. One firm in the Pitts
burg district originates more traffic h
the gross business OF the Great Northern.
1T is moonshine to say that Eastern
lines are most to blame for the car con-
gestion. On this subject ] fail to see that
the situation is my easier, or that easier
conditions are probable soon. We V
more business all over the country than
railroads can handle promptly.