Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-25
RATES ON
STOCK SHIPMENTS
Stockmen AIlege That They Are
Excessive and the Ser
vice Poor.
TIME OF TRANSIT TOO LONG.
Murdo Mackenzie Says the Roads Haul
Everything in Cattle Cars
But Cattle.

Denver, Jan 24.---Freisht rates on
stock shipments from the west to the
Missouri river and Chicago markets
We're the subject OF a hearing in this
city today before @ a. Proutv of The
United States Interstate commerce
commission. The hearing was con-
tinuation of The one opened in Chi
cage few weeks ago in the case Of
the Texas Cattlegrowers association
against various railroads.
The stocknen ask for reduction
in rates on livestock and want the ex-
ira 50 terminal charges made in Chi
cago for switching abolished. They
also allege that stock rates are cyces-
sive, and that the service is poorer
than ever before.
s. II. Cowan, attorney of the Texas
Cattlegrowers' association and Of the
American National Livestock associa-
ton. conducted the examination OF
witnesses.
a. Il. De Ricqules, general manager
of the American Livestock and Land
company of Denver, testified that the
time consumed in the transit OF cattle
from the northwest had increased
from - TO SO hours
He declared that the stockgrowers
were always prompt in loading and
unloading, and that the railroads We're
wholly responsible for delays He
thought this condition was due to the
want of discipline. The service seem
I'd TO BE- demorali2ed by an effort ON
the part of the railroad superinten-
dents to make showing. He COM
.lsata a-e.
the railroads for the transportation
of coal and other commodities and
said this was one of the causes of the
shortage in cars for stock In many
cases, he said, carloads Of coal we're
carried III trains of cattle cars con-
trary to law
Murdo Mackenzie. president of the
American National Livestock assoca-
ton, said that he believed that the
traffic departments of the railroads
wanted to give good service, but the
operating departments tried to haul
every ton they could possibly put on
Il train, with the result that slow time
Is made.
When asked if he observed the use
of cattle cars for hauling coal or other
COMMODITIES. he replied:
They haul everything except cat
tie"
He cited cases where shippers were
compelled to hold their cattle for long
periods. In one case for two months,
before cars could be secured for ship
ment.
Mr. Mackenzie said rates We're more
unreasonable today than several years
ago on account of the poorer service.
He declared that unless the railroads
would do something to help the stock
men in getting their cars shipped II
would be Just as well for the cattle
men to go out OF business. He said
that during the past year tens of thou
sands of cattle and sheep in Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona had been
held on the range because the raiscrs
could not get cars for shipment.
j. 4. Lockhart of Colorado Springs
n cattle shipper and vice president
of the American National Livestock
association, said 1t averaged four days
for shipment to go through from
Rocky Ford, Colo. to Kansas City, a
distance of less than 600 miles, while
10 years ago shipments would go
through in SO hours.
Several other prominent cattle men