The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-29
HARTMAN MERCER CASE CONCLUDED
Next Hearing Will Be Held In
 Cincinnati, February 9
AGENT IS QUESTIONED
Traffic Manager of a Plate Glass Con- cern Testifies That His Western Shipments Are Divided Be-
 tween Two Companies.

Pittsburg. January 2s.-The taking of testimony in the Pittsburg hearing of the government to dissolve the alleged s5O0,- 0OoOoO Hartman railroad merger was concluded today. The next hearing will be held in Cincinnati on February g.
 The testimony of the witnesses exam ined today seemed to bear out the gov- ernrnent's contention that competition be- tween the Southern Pacific railroad and the Union Pacific is not as keen now as 1t was prior to 1901.
 B. H. Thompson, traffic manager of the oil well supply company, said he could not see any change in the attitude of G. G. Herring, the agent here for the Union Pacific and the Southern Pacific, since the merger is alleged to have taken place, but he later admitted, when questioned by c. A. Severance, for the government, that competition would stimulate busi- ness, and that MT. Herring could hardly compete with himself.
 It was expected rapid progress would be made today in taking testimony of prominent Pittsburg business and rail road men in the governments suit. Of the DU witnesses SuiuliiOAiOQ NO NSNN+A' about a dozen were called yesterday. The main point of the government was to establish that in the soliciting of freight here there was no competition between the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads.
 George R. Herring, the Pittsburg rep resentative of both roads, and Attorney Severance examined the witnesses as to how MT. Herring could compete with him. self. They were questioned particularly as to rates before and after the alleged merger of the Hartman roads.
 Thomas Shape of the Thompson Pot teries company, East Liverpool, O., was the first witness called today. When questioned about the routing Of 1relght he said it was done through the office or W E Wells of the Homer Laughln Chinese company, and he knew little about it. MT. Wells, who lives at Newell W. Va, was then called He stated that while the traffic was through his ot- flee he did not have personal charge. lie said coast shipments were 1nVarlaoly rented by the consignees Prior 10 Ao wears ago he testified he had routed freight and used all trans0oii tiny '''' lines ,a,
 William c. Watson of East Liverpool a representing Knowles, Taylor x Knowles a large pottery firm, was the next witness. He stated he knew MT. Herring. the agent here for the Onlon Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads put that he usually called upon an enploye in MT Herring's office.
 During MT. Watson's testimony ne reao a letter which had been received rom MT. Herring referring to carload or eroclserv which had been ordered by firm on the Pacific coast. In the letter MT Herring stated that it was under stood that a route over several lines had been requested by the consignee and asked the shipper to respect the re- quest. .,.
 Joseph Belville, traffic manager for the Pttsburg Plate Glass company, testi- fled that before 1901 the Union Paci1c got more than half of the San Francisco freight from his company. Now the freight is divided between the Union and Southern Pacific railroads. Previous to 1eO1 he said the Union Pacific and South ern Pacific were strong competitors
 Dennis Crowley of the Carnegie Steel company testified that steamers carrying freight around Cape Horn or by the Pan anna route could make what rates they pleased without retaliation on the part of the railroads.