New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-15
JOINS nth RAILROADS.
Interstate Commission Hears Com
plant against Shippers.
10 % TrIbune Blrean. !

Washington March 14-That the new Railroad
Rate law works both ways 80 far as IT'S penal
clauses are concerned was emphasized to-day when
the Interstate Commerce Commission joined hands
with a railroad in the beginning Of campaign 70
break up the alleged practice among shippers OF
and making false reports Of weights
OF cars. The Seaboard Afr Line had complained
20 the commission that false reports had been made
OF weights by the Laurinburg OIL Company, at
I.aurinburg. y. G.. on cars filled with COttonseed
shipped over the road to the mills. The Seaboard
Eas other complaints TO make OF other mills. ard
il intimated the commission Will be called on 10
remedy similar complaints in various quarters
Should any be found guilty OF making false
reports OF weights. prison penalty is possible. Il
noticeable in the hearing which the commits
sion gave to-day IN the IaurtubUrg that those
against whom suspicion is directed as having
ordered the classifying OF reports were not called
to give testimony This would seem to indicate
that the commission has in view the turning over
of the evidence obtained 10 the Department OF Jus
tce for prosecution II the facts brought out justify
burg company. testified that James A Jones pres
tdent OF the company, had told him that he had
October in order that his company might get even
with the Seaboard Air Line for refusing 20 pay
for the repairs 70 the scales on which the cars
broTTbt tnto ne mills nv tSs 800 Is II - S Ne
EovsrDber and Teren1beT 1aSs no csTs 7I-S~S ~s
ceived. and II was given evidence that the
weight OF each OF these was reduced from 290
10 1O.OO0 pounds
W l. Coburn, the agent OF the Seaboard at
Iaurinburg. testified that Jones had told him that
he determined making the reduction. and L r.
Johnson. The district manager OF the Southern IN
spectiOn and weighing bureau. said that a similar
statement had been made 10 him. Johnson said
that Jones Sold him he had decided On this course
after lie had talked with the old man James
NcNear. the owner OF the Laurinburg mill. as vel
as the mill az LumbertO1 against which similar
charges have been made Is said TO have been
ferFed - frequently as the old man BY those
about the mills.
The first suspicion that the weights were less
than they should have been was awakened when
owner OF Cottonseed began to weigh HIS ship
ments. The returns did not correspond. The rail-
road officials told OF this. and they IN turn
demanded the right 70 inspect the weigh books o.
the company It found. IL alleged. that
two sets of books were being kept showing diner
ent weights for the same
10 was brought out in the testimony that when
the president OF the company became aware that
charges OF classifying the weights had been made
he remarked iol1ingly. that he sorry that ths
thing had been found out soon
AS soon the railroad had made ilveStigd-
ton cf the matter SilaS FL Smith. special agent.
was sent 10 make 81 investigation for the COM
mission. under the direction OF Luther " Walter,
attorney for the commission
No witnesses were presented by the officials o.
the mills to-day, although Superintendent Jones is
in the city. Commissioner PrOuty, who took the
testimony. VIII turn Z over TO the entire COmnlis-
sion for decision and action