The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-24
SERVICE WORST EVER.
CattIcmen Complain of Railroad Fa-
ciIities-Object 10 Charges.

Denver. Col, Jan. 24.-Freight rates
on stock shipments from the west TO
the Missouri river and Chicago mar
kets were the subject of hearing i'll
this city today before Charles A.
Prouty of the United States interstate
commerce commission. The hearing
was a continuation of the one opened
in Chicago a few weeks ago in the
case of the Texas Cattle Growers as
ISOLATION against various railroads.
The stockmen ask for a reduction in
rates on live stock and want the extra
two dollar terminal charge made in
Chicago for switching abolished.
They also allege that stock rates are
excessive and that the service is poor
er than ever before.
s. H. Cowan, attorney of the Texas
Cattle Growers association and of the
American National Live Stock asso-
citation, conducted the examination of
witnesses
A. E. Dericles. general manager of
the American Live Stock company of
Denver, testified that the time con-
Sumed In the transit of cattle from the
northwest had increased 1t from "a to
SO hours. He considered the service
of the railroads worse now than ever
before.
He declared that the stock growers
were always prompt in loading and
unloading and that the railroads were
wholly responsible for delays. HI
thought this condition was due to the
to be demoralized by an effort on the
part of the railroad superintendent 10
make showing. They complained
that the stock cars were used by 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, car loads of coal were carried in
trains of cattle cars contrary to law.
Murdo Mackenzie, president of the
American National Live Stock asso-
citation, 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 a
train with the result that slow time is
made.
of cattle cars for hauling coal or other
commodities. he replied:
They haul everything except cat
He cited that the shippers we're
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 were more
unreasonable today than several years
ago on account of poorer service He
declared that unless the railroads
would do something to help the stock
men in getting their cars shipped it
would be just as we'll for the cattlemen
to go out of business. He said that
during the past year, tens of thous-
ands of cattle and sheep in Texas. New
Mexico and Arizona had been on the
range because the raisers could not
get cars for shipment
James a. Lockhart of Colorado
Springs. cattle shipper and vice
president of the American National
Live Stock association, said 1T aver
aged four days for a shipment to go
through from ROCKFORD, Colo.,- to
Kansas City. a distance of less than
500 miles, while ten years ago ship
ments would go through in Sc hours.
Several other prominent cattlemen
gave same testimony.
The hearing was adjourned at noon
to Amarillo. Texas. where it will be
continued tomorrow. and later testf-
mony will be taken at Fort Worth,
Texas.