The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-10-27
Traffic Bureau Man
Testifies at Commerce
Commission Hearing at
Chicago.

of the Omaha Traffic bureau. testify
ing in the rate hearing today, de-
clared that four railroads practically
controlling transportation of the
west, padded their expenses and ter
minal valuations as justification for
higher rates. The four roads names
are: c. b. & O.; Chicago e. North
western: Santa Fe; and Chicago,
Milwaukee and st. Paul.
Relating as practiced by carriers
and shippers prior to 1906 and the
passage of the Hepburn act was the
principal theme OF discussion at the
afternoon session OF the western
freight rate hearing before the inter
state commerce commission.
At one time the cross-examination
which had been concerned with the
burden of work borne by farmer
boys in Iowa, veered around to a
specific demand for the names of
railway officials and shippers con-
cerned in rebating before 1906, OF
which the witness, w. p. Trickett of
Minneapolis. said he had personal
knowledge.
Attorneys for the shippers pro-
tested that the desired information
was not material, that the commits
sion in a number of cases was in
formed of the practice of rebating.
but the counsel for the railroads
stuck to his question. The tense sit
uation was relieved when the witness
lodged the issue by declining to give
the names.
) 81 will not give in public the
names Of the officials OF the Great
Western railroad who gave the rate
nor of the shippers who received It,"
said Mr.. Trickett. 81 cannot-two
of them have passed on. I can give
you contracts showing rebates. Or /
can comply with the suggestion that
| give you the information in writ
ling, but must decline to name them
from the stand"
The demand was pressed no fur
lther by Attorney ]. b. Payne, gen.
ieral counsel for the Chicago Great
Western railroad, after the positive
refusal to testify of the specific
transaction.
The question of rebates came up
lin connection with the preceding
witness. II. G. Wilson. transportation
commissioner Of the Kansas City
Commercial Club.
In enumerating different advances
in rates since 1901, Mr.. Wilson testi-
fed that In 1906, after the passage
of the Hepburn act, freight rates
were advanced. and he estimated
that prior to then rebates on many
articles transported from the Allan
tic seaboard to Missouri river points
amounted to 40 per cent OF the regu-
lar tariffs. Mr.. Wilson testified he
had no personal knowledge of the
giving Of rebates and could. there
fore, give no specific instance.
Rebates Reciprocal.
Mr.. Trickett, who is executive
manager of the Minneapolis Traffic
association, agreed with Mr.. Wilson
in the 40 per cent rebate estimate
and declared he had personal knowl-
edge of the giving of rebates In
some instances having acted for the
carrier, in others TOR the shipper OF
the commodities and in others for
both carrier and shipper.
Are you speaking of your own
personal participation in this rebat-
ling?" asked Attorney Payne.
II am" was the reply of Mr.
lTrickett.
"Can you give a specific in
stance?"
81 can in which l acted for the
Great Western road"
"Give that specific instance"
Commissioner Lane suggested thai
the instance might be submitted In
writing to Attorney Payne.
Attorney Payne insisted on a spe
cifc answer, until positive refusa
to testify on the stand was returned
| In addition to bringing up thu
subject of rebates Mr.. Wilson intro
duced tabulations showing increases
in the minimum weight of carload
lots, which he contended operated
to the disadvantage of some ship
pers. of changes in classification o
commodities and of advances in com
modify freight rates.
showed st. Paul Advances.
Mr.. Trickett, after agreeing will
p the preceding witness estimate o
J the percentage of rebates. also in
troduced statistics showing advances
in freight rates to and from Mime
apolis and st. Paul.
"For the first time in its history
1.-THE western trunk line committee
! early this year, IN arranging a re
vision of freight rates, included In