The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-11
SHIPPING RATES
FIXED IN LONDON

Continued From First Page
were made by the lines. and smaller
exporters then given the same rates.
Representative Alexander suggested
this prevented competition in rates.
late cutting is most unfortunate
position to be in" replied Mr.. Ger
hardt You cannot run steamers I'M
less on paying basis You cannot do
II on a paying basis except you
have an understanding against cut
ting rates We have had some bitter
experiences"
William L. Hahn. New York agent
for the Houston Line, testified that a
London conference" controlled the
New York trade to South Africa
Il may say L know that the freights
are pooled" he testified
Subject 10 that conference were the
Houston Line. the Prince Line the
Hansa Line. the Union Clay Line and
the American African Line. lie de-
clared not a shipper was dissatisfied
with the South African service.
Chairman Alexander asked whether
the Houston Line was In any agree
~-"----b Alt+BnA OF passenger
traffic between the United States ana
La Plata Rates for this trade. the
witness said. were made in New York
at conferences among representatives,
OF the various steamship lines al
though no written agreements were
entered into. The conferences BE
said. were held once a week. In hxtnp
rates. the witness added, an effort was
made 10 keep them OF a parity ztth
rates from Germany and England
Gives No ReDste-
Mr. Hahn declared That his comn.,v
had not siven rebates on outgoing
cargoes from the United States for
many years
Il know nothing about rebates on
carSoes from Argentine TO the United
states said the witness. but ] know
from correspondence that rebate ar
engagements exist"
Asked whether there was any agree
ment between railroads and steamship
companies as to through rates. Mr.
Hahn said that as far as he knew no
such agreements ever were entered
into
Experience has shown" declared Mr.
Hahn. that there is only one way OF
getting service. and that is through
rebate and pooling arrangements.
These methods are recognized a. lawful
oy the governments Of England and
Germany"
Pooling arrangements were neces-
sary. he said. because no one ship
owner could operate sufficient num-
Der OF steamers to keep up a continu-
pus service between New York and
South Africa. Rebates. he continued.
were given 10 prevent shippers from
taking cargo space I'm tramp steamers
Your only reason for not giving re-
bates on cargoes out OF New York IL
that you think IL would conflict with
the antitrust IawT asked Representa-
tive Hardy.
That is true" replied the witness.
Explaining why his company had
never established lines between Gslf
ports and south America, Mr.. Hahn said
lumber. the chief commodity shipped
south from the Gulf usually went in
fun cargo lots and that shippers could
themselves charter vessels - cheaply
as the steamship lines. The real rea-
son why trade between the United
states and South America has not been
developed more rapidly. he insisted.
was the natural tendency II Germans.
Spsniards and EngIishmen located in
South America. to trade vita their
home countries
subsidy Of No Avail.
Would subsidy to American ship
owners overcome this tendency asked
Tieprcscntativc Hardy.
Absolutely - would not" the wit
ness replied
paul GstthefI president of Funch.
Edyc a Co. a. firm acting - freight
agent for number OF large steamship
lines including the Hamburg American
Line. tkc candinavian- American Line
and the United states Shipping Com
pany. told the committee that Mr.. Ger
hardt has made substantially accurafe
statements 81 tho trade between Brazil
aud the United states
Mr.. Coftheil declared the Pan-Ameri-
can steamship Company was a failure
not because Of efforts on the part OF
companies ia thu rate agreement 70
throttle but because the people be-
hind the new enterprise did not Know
their business and paid a proht OF 70
Der cent to ship owners for the vessels
they chartered"