Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-01-09
Commission Inves-
tigating Condition
Hartman Lines.
MISSOURI PACIFIC FIRST
M. E. Markham T ellis of Trade
Competition and Consolida-
ton of Lines.

Chicago, Jan. 9.-M. c. Markham
traffic manager of the Missouri Pacif-
ic, was the first witness called before
the Interstate Commerce Commission
when the investigation of the Harri-
man lines was resumed Mr.. Mark
ham was questioned by 5. e. Sever
ance, of st. Paul. acting for the com
mission. A witness was asked II
the Union Pacific and the Southern
Pacific were, prior to their consolida-
tion, competitors for transcontinental
business. He said they were.
Mr.. Markham's Railroad Experience.
Before going to the Missouri Pacif-
ic, Mr.. Markham was connected with
the Illinois Central and both roads
We're active competitors for the Pa
cifc coast business originating along
the line of the Illinois Central.
Consolidation Eliminated competi-
tion.
"Was there any lessening of the
competition after the consolidation"
'It was generally understood that
the competition was less was the
answer.
Union Pacific Not Link.
Mr.. Markham declared that in his
opinion the Union Pacific was not a
link in the transcontinental transpor-
tation as contended yesterday by the
attorneys of Mr.. Hartman, but as
long as the Portland Gateway is open,
it is a Pacific coast line in itself
The witness said that before their
consolidation the Union and Southern
Pacific lines were competitors for the
California fruit trade and for passen-
ger business also.
Underwent Stiff Cross Examination.
Mr. Markham was cross examined
by Mr. Milburn, representing the
Hartman lines, who took exception
to the statement made by the witness
chat he considered the Union Pacific
an Independent Pacific line.
He asked the witness il the South
ern Pacific, acting as an independent
line could not give the Union Pacific
a large or small amount of east bound
business at Ogden.
A Hint as to "InfIuences.'
"T don't know whether 1t could or
not. There are influences at work
which would prevent it," answered
Markham. "But the Southern Paclf-
ic, as an independent line might do
this"
ut might and destroy itself?'
Mr.. Milburn then asked if the Union
Pacific via Portland to San Francis
co was to be compared to the direct
line west of Ogden.
Mr.. Markham replied: "The rate
settles these things, and rates can be
made as low via Portland to San
Francisco as by any other route
Stubbs on Witness Stand.
= The next witness was J. c. Stubbs,
traffic manager and director OF the
Union Pacific and Southern Pacific
system. He said there was strong
competition in Chicago for the Pacific
coast business. He was asked ii Mr..
Neimeyer, the Chicago agent, was
for business.
He u.s." was the answer
els he competitor as between the
Union Pacific and the Southern Pa
cific?"
"As much as ever replied Mr..
Stubbs.
'"That means he was never COM
petitor?" was asked.
"Neimeyer has always been instruct
ed to ship from this territory via .Og-
den If he worked for other roads
he violated his instructions" answered
Mr.. Stubbs.
Mr.. Stubbs was then asked many
questions regarding the Union Pacif-
ic and the Southern Pacific designed
to show that prior to 1901, but not
now, these. roads were competitors.
Stubbs Gave Evasive Answers.
His answers were not always sat
isfactory to the attorneys. He said
according to his theory, the roads
never had been competitors but were
connecting roads. BY series OF
questions, the attorneys brought out
an acknowledgment that at one time
The Southern Pacific proper was
Of the line formed by the
Union Pacific and the Southern Pa
,ifin wact Of 0pden