Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-26

probably providing also TOT lnuepeH-
dent shippers who do not belong to
the interests represented at the present
hearing, so that no hardship will be
worked on any grower; but this will
not be done, it is said, unless the rail-
roads refuse to cut their rates to a
reasonable figure.
One witness testified yesterday that
shippers can afford to build pre-cool-
ing plants and pay the railroads. $50 a
car for the privilege of preceding ana
re-icing their own cars, rather than
pay the railroads the present eXorbi-
tant refrigeration charges.
The fact that the Santa Fe railroad
has invested half a million dollars In
a preceding plant at San Bernardlno,,
and the Pacific Fruit Express has put
in a similar amount at Corona shows
the extent to which the railroads are
opposing the cooperative construction
of plants by the fruit growers.
So complicated is the situation and
so unavailing was much of the testi-
mony given by railroad and refrigera-
ton agents and officials yesterday, that
Commissioner Prouty stated the COM
mission probably would do in Califor-
mia as it did in the southern states.
and itself engage to certain extent in
the citrus industry, appointing agents
=
and re-ieing methods, ascertain exact
conditions. follow a given number of
cars to their destination and gather
data as to the ice employed and the
expense involved.
To Strengthen Forces
This statement caused the railroad
attorneys to plan a harder fight, and
the Southern Pacific announced that
that the commissioners and not a
special examiner hear the case.
The Santa Fe refused to conclude its
testimony until the Southern Pacific
had done so. and it was with much
difficulty that Commissioner Prouty
finally induced the railroads to con-
tinue taking expert testimony, as they
sought to adjourn until this morning
to rearrange their plans.
so far the shippers of Southern Cali
fornia have built but two plants of
their own-one at East Highland and
the other at Pomona-yet with this
limited test they have demonstrated
they can save thousands of dollars an
nually.
The growers also have n contract
with a Los Angeles ice company for
pre- cooling and pre-icing. This con-
tract, 1t was brought out Yesterday,
calls for proceeding at the rate of
cents a box. On a car. which on the
average contains 3S4 boxes. this
amounts to 1920 AS preceded and
pre-iced in Los Angeles, under this
contract. the car goes through to Chi
cago without re-icing, although the
railroads have attempted to prove 1t
cannot be done.
The ice costs the shippers in Los
IL =
each car, making the total refrigeration
expense. under contract. only $32.7
The growers claim they can do it for
even less than this with their own pre-
cooling plants; yet the railroad charges
S62.50 for the same service, regardless
of whether or not the car is proceeded
by the Los Angeles ice company. or by
the grower, or by the railroads.
league First on Grill
G. c. league of Santa Paula, one OF
the most successful lemon growers in
the state, general manager of the
Limonera company. was summoned by
the Southern Pacific company yester-
day and was the first witness of the
day. When Attorney Durbrow of the
Southern Pacific attempted to go into
the question of the finances of the
Limonera company. Commissioner
Prouty refused to let Mr.. league make
statements except as to the prices re-
ceived.
Mr.. league testified that during the
last two years the average price re.
ceived by him has been $2.55 a box fol-
lemons. The average yield during the
last two years has been 1866 an acre
Mr.. league stated that he receives
better prices than are paid for Siciliar
lemons
California lemons, he said, have 6
better established reputation and are
better in quality than the Sicilian lem.
Ons.
Mr.. league testified that a lemon
grove can be restored in one year, al
though badly run down. He told of {
ten-acre grove he bought, long neg.
lected, which he restored to norma
yield in one season. This refuted pre-
vious testimony introduced by the com
plainants
Mr. league estimated that the aver
age cost of bringing a lemon grove int
full yseld is $500 an acre, and the cos
of maintaining it, based on his expert
| ence the last two years, about 1921. s
an acre, up to the time of picking.
| When asked if he knew Of any rea
son why the lemon freight rate shoult
not be as high as the orange rate, h
| said 1T depends on conditions"
Il have understood" said MI
league, that the railroads figure oil
the needs of an industry. / once hear,
the president Of the Santa Fe say tina
| the right basis for making rates is al
| that the traffic will bear"
Leeds on His Guard
]. S. Leeds, manager of the Santa F.
refrigerator dispatch, who was on tn
stand a greater portion of Thursda.
afternoon, succeeded Mr.. league, an,
continued his previous testimony. Hi
answers were at all times guarded, an,
when lucidity was most to be desire,
We're confusing and ambiguous. 90
don't remember" Il am unable to say,
or Il cannot venture an estimate,
were his usual answers to pointed in
terrogations relative to rates ant
profits.
Mr.. Leeds did admit a few general,
known facts, however. He also mad
a number Of statements denied by tn,
citrus growers. He stated that siXteei
tons of ice were required to refrigerat,
car of citrus fruits from Los Angeles
to Chicago, and stated that instead o
$685.. as previously testified, the cost o
ice a ton at Needles is a little more
than So.
What do you pay ton for ice II