New-York tribune., 1911-11-25
CURLY JOE" PAYS BILLS 'EAGLE. BY EXPRESS, S25
Washington ZoOIogiSt Accuses
Companies of 0verCharges.
PREPAYS $40 ON A GOAT
Tells Interstate Commerce Com
mission Excessive Rates on Live
Animals Are the Rule.

The Interstate Commerce Commission. at
hearing on complaints Of overcharges
bv express companies, held yesterday In
the rooms of the Merchants Association
No. "a Lafayette street, received some eN'
pert information on the prices charged ior
shipping live animals for geological gar
dens.
Cecil French, a zoologist. of Washington
offered testimony on specific cases OF over
charge on live animal shipments pu'
Walker D. Hines. counsel for the express
companies, put I'm the objection that such
shipments were so unusual that it was
unfair to base arguments on them.
| French did not seem 10 think there was
anything unusual about the shipments
with which he was familiar. however, anc
was very positive I'm his statements thai
/ such shipments were persistently over
/ charged.
I'VE shipped a live eagle from Washing
ton" he said "and though the steamship
company charged only 81 % for food and
maintenance, the United states Express
Company charged S25 30 to transfer the bird
/ from the boat to its destination. when the
charge should have been only SO.
| For live goat shipment 10 HasenDeck
cirdGs I'm Germany, Mr.. French said the
/ express company demanded prepayiheH'
/ Of $40. when the actual cost should nave
/ been much less Going down in the scare
Of size. a field mouse sent on little Jour
uev be express cost him g 50 in charges
whom the correct charge should have been
/ 3j cents.
/ Speaking generally. Mr.. French declared
that I'm the last four years % per cent Va
the shipments of live animals We're over
charged, and in the last year he thous"'
at least 25 per cent II the shipments were
overcharged
! Mr.. Hines objected to any general state
ments. particularly as based upon eXPe-
rlence with shipments OF the nature
| handled by Mr.. French. but Commissioner
Lane sustained the witness, remarhng that
the commission. had on its files correspoh-
dence covering great volume OF over
charges on all kinds Of shipments
I've will give YOU access TO these" he
said to the representative Of the express
companies, but we want It distinctly un-
derstood that the express companies shai
not adopt any methods regarding these
men who have made complaints to us tha'
will cause them to complain again
The Commissioner added that II had come
to his knowledge that when an express
company got the name of complainant
pressure of one kind and another was
brought to bear upon him.
The shipper finds il extremely disagree
able to get along with the agent OF the car
riers after he makes "A complaint OF that
kind 10 US" he said. and then warned the
counsel for the companies that anything
of that kind in the future would Result III
action by the commission.
w II. Chandler. assistant manager OF
the Boston Chamber Of Commerce TOOK
the stand TO relate instances showing thdl
the interstate rates We're higher IN many
cases than the rates set by the state com
missioners I'm the different states.
F. b. Deberhardt, secretary Of the Mer-
chants Exchange. offered in evidence a
list of REPORTS from various concerns, such
as local New York City express companies
and department stores, stating the ele-
ments OF cost
Mr.. Deberhardt had tabulated also hst
of the complaints, classified according TO
their nature that had been sent in to MN
by members Of the exchange.
The hearing was adjourned 10 this morn
ing at II o'clock, after Commissioner Lane
had announced that he had extended the
time in which the express companies might
nut in their answer from December to 10.