Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-23
KINOEL TALKS OF RATES
Denver Manufactures says Business
Has Been wrecked by Colo
radO Freight Charges.

DENVER, Jan. IA formidable array
OF lawyers was lined UP in the United
States court room when c. A. Prouty. inter-
state commerce commissioner. resumed his
investigation Of the complaints against a
score of railroad companies alleging dis
elimination in freight rates against this
city and state. Joel F. Vaile and Elro
Clark represent the Burlington and Dem
yer & Rio Grande. Clayton Dorsey ap-
peared for the Southern Pacific and some
OF the eastern lines. d. w. Tears for the
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, Henry
]. Rogers and p. P. Pierce for the Santa
Fe system. c. d. Haight for the Erie and
81. A Low for the Rock Island. James
]. jeffrey and other counsel were present
and Joined in questioning witnesses.
Three points of vItar interest to the en-
tire west were emphasized by George J..
Kindel. manufacturer one Of the conf
plainants Mr.. Kindel alleged that Denver
manufacturers had been driven out of busi-
ness by freight rates on raw material. He
declared rates are low to the Pacific coast
and Denver people are paying much more
than those at tidewater. He also stated
that jobbers were being forced to close up
their houses because they are unable to
get into competition with other territories
on an equal basis.
Similar cases over the entire west arc
hlnging on the result Of the Denver in
quiry and the decision here will govern
other like suits.
Commissioner Prouty announced that the
allegation in the complaints were not speci-
fic enough. He suggested to Attorney VIII
liam Harrison, representing Mr.. Klndel,
that the complaint be made more specific
in regard to class rates. He said that an
allegation could be made that the class
rates were excessive, but that it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to make an
allegation on commodity rates. Mr. Kindel
declared that the complaint was that Dem
yer had to pay higher rate per ton per
mile than some other cities.
Commissioner Prouty said he did not be-
lieve the commission would hold that in
general the rates were too high, nor would
any court hold that the rates in general
were too high. Denver was so situated, he
said. that the rate to San Francisco
through Denver should be lower than the
rate to Denver. This would not show that
the rate to Denver was too high. The only
ground on which the case could be heard
was that the rates are unreasonable 70
Denver.
'If that is what you are trying to show
said Mr.. Prouty, you have very little evil
L
cept that the rates on cotton piece goods
are excessive. The commission can make
no order on any commodity not mentioned
in the allegation"
Mr.. Prouty said he had no authority to
rule on competency of the complaint, or
perhaps 10 allow an amendment to the
complaint, but he would allow an amend
ment and the whole commission could take
up the matter.
Mr.. Harrison made a motion to so amend
1.-THE complaint that the class rates may
be shown to be excessive and unreasonable.
SEATTLE, Wash, Jan. z.-Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Lane, here today
resumed the investigation into he car
shortage and charges brought by lumber
men of Washington, that the Hill roads
had failed to deliver more than 35 per cent
of the cars required to handle the timber
products of this state, More than 100 lum.
bermen from various parts of western
Washington were present. The proceed
/ ings were exciting. a clash occurring be-
tween General j. NJ Ashton, representing
the lumbermen, and Attorney Cannon OF
| Spokane. representing the Hill roads. State
Senator Paulhamun was the main witness
, for the lumbermen and sought to show
that shippers have lost tens Of thousands
OF dollars during the last year by the
failure of the Hill lines to furnish cars
/ Attorney Cannon objected TO a great deal
/ of Paulhamun's testimony and there were
/ cloebaa hafuaap coupaaI