New-York tribune., 1910-12-01
SHIPPERS CASE CLOSED
More Protests Against Rail-
road Rate Advances.
ARGUMENTS JANUARY 9
Commission May Decide as to
Reasonableness of Proposed
Increases by February 1.

washington, Nov 3o.-The testimony IN
the Eastern Trunk Line freight advance
case was virtually closed by the Interstate
Commerce Commission to-day, after many
witnesses for the shippers had agreed that
the nronosed increases would localize COM
,efition. hurt the Western market for
Eastern goods and otherwise seriously in
terfere with their business The suspen-
sion OF the proposed advances is until
February /, and on January the argu-
-,,ents Of counsel Will be made and the
commission may be prepared TO render its
decision by the expiration Of the present
extension
The witnesses to-day in support of the
shippers protests included heads OF the
WESTINGHOUSE. Airbrake Company. the
Railway Business Association, the Anerl-
can Locomotive Company, shoe and
leather, drug. cotton piece goods ana
other enterprises
Clifford Thorne, CT Iowa, State Railway
Corlrntssioner-elect counsel for the corn
Relt Meat Producers Association and the
Farmers and Grain Dealers Assoclauoh'
s,ontended that in four states alone the
railroads were overcepitalized s4eU,oeo'-
600. He asserted that net earnings nave
been increasing faster than expenses ana
that the credit of the roads was good
Tell your troubles 10 the commission
-es the only consolation John s. Law
renee, president OF the Lawrence Com
.anv, Of Boston and New York. SAID ne
received from the railroad managers "hen
he tried to talk about the advances, F-hich
meant $4,000 year more TO his cotton
pfece goods selling agency business
% RnSFAr- C2n0N
manufacturer. contended that candy is q
necessity and not luxury. Mr.. Butter
field. counsel for the New York Central
lines. forced him 10 say that he saw no
reason why sugar. unaffected in the pro-
posed advance end big fsctor In the
CANDY business. should not bear its fair
share Of the increase.
Charles l. Schwartz. of St Louis. rep
Tesenting the National and Western as
sociations Of shoe wholesalers, SAID that
the increased cost would be put on the
dealers and that It would ultimately reach
the consumers on certain medium and low
grades of shoes.
t5eorse a Post Of New York. president
Of the Railway Business Association, tes-
fifed that the main purpose of his organ
-zstion was 10 promote friendly relations
between the railroads and the public.
We have learned in the last two or
three years said he, that conservative
talk is better than vitrtolics. We are or
ganized good humor, not organized gloom
Mr.. Post said the purchases Of the rail
roads had diminished markedly in the last
four or five months.
You believe. asked Commissioner
Prouty, that If the commission would al
Tow an increase It would stimulate other
lines Of business so as to Justify the rail-
read ds IN developing their own systeus?"
What the roads do in their own busi-
nc-s 7 don't know replied the witness.
-'EfHcn the roads receive such increased
re-cnues and get In the frame Of mind
hat would naturally follow, there would
l.e an enlargement Of prosperity, giving
IF employment 10 the many people de-
,endent on Us. the spread Of their money
0 local merchants, and SO on"