The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-07-09

1855; Northwestern group, 1929; en-
tire United States, 1894. Average
length of haul per ton: Northern Pa
cific, 527; Northwestern group, PIP;
entire United States, 141. Gross num-
ber Of tons hauled: Northern Pa
cific, 15,836,S23; Northwestern group,
98,S47, 500; entire United States, L.
521,065,494. Mileage: Northern Pa
cific, 5000; Northwestern group, 27,-
503; entire United States, 227 1928.
1t was shown by Mr.. Moss that the
earnings of the Northern Pacific COM
pared favorably with the average
earnings in the United States; that its
net earnings were almost double; that
its dividends were almost double.
Rates Based on Density.
"You are employing the Lakawanna
of whose earnings IS per cent is from
coal," came from a railroad official.
"The earnings of the Lackawanna
were 33 1-S per cent outside OF the
railroad" corrected the complainant.
Mr.. Merriman of the Northern Pa
cific, was asked by Chairman Morley
If he considered the mileage distance
IdF1n ldIT duu IO1oOAoDIC Iva uloIAAOO
tions from Billings.
He replied that he did.
do packing companies furnish their
own cars?"
eyes"
"How do they supply intermediate
points?"
Meats are generally shipped back
- Tsatnc "
$50 that in competing with Billings
the Omaha and St. Paul packers are
handicapped to the extent of car
load rate?"
eyes"
"Why is there such a difference in
favor of Minnesota as against Mon
tana?"
Greater traffic, more people. There
are eight people per mile of railroad
in Montana $50 per mile in Minnesota,
450 per mile in Illinois"
"The rates in Montana are 100 per
cent higher?" asked Mr.. Morley.
"I am not entirely familiar with the
percentage" replied Mr.. Merriman.
To further questioning Mr.. Merri-
man said that he was unable to state
the rate charged eastern packers for
the use of cars. The rate on peddled
lots would not he less than lO,OOO
pounds.
Mr.. Merriman replied that If less
than carload rates were made on ped
died cars for Montana it would be
harder on the Omaha shippers.
Rates Out of Proportion.
A. tho afternoon session Mr.. john
son, assistant general freight agent
of the Burlington was sworn.
"What is the attitude of your COM
pany in connection with this ques-
tion?" he was asked by Chairman
! Morley. "Do you feel that the rates
in force are fair and reasonable or
do you feel like helping growing IN
dustry to get into market%
1--WE feel like helping at all times
but we don't think reduction OF rates
necessary where there is no compe-
tition other than that with local putch-
ers, When we consider such compe-
tition l feel that we are getting on
dangerous ground"
aside from that, Mr. Johnson wniie
we admit that business cannot be
done as cheaply in Montana-say the
rates are 100 per cent higher in Mon
+ana than out of st. Paul-dont you
think they are out of proportion,
"No. think it is the rates tna'
enable them to sell in competition
with other concerns.
Don't you think the consumer get:
the worst of it under this condition?
"No, don't think So"
Mr.. Merriman, in outlining the pol
4 lev of his company this morning hop
ed that we could come to some under
standing on rates for peddling ,etc
Would you concur in this?"
"Yes, but our interet in Montana