The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-18
GIANT COMBINE
CONTROLS.TRADE
Coastwise Shipping in Hands OF
Trust Which Crushes
Independents.
SUIT MAY BE BROUGHT
Committee Hears Story of Dis
SUIT MAY BE BROUGHT
Committee Hears Story of Dis
elimination From Head of
Steamship Company.

Washington, January IA giant
combination practically controlling
American coastwise trade on the At
Iantic and operating under an agree
ment with the railroads by when pro-
rating is refused to independent steam
shin lines. except on full charges. was
described to the House shipping trust
committee to-day by A H Bull
president of the A. H Bull Steamship
Company, of New York
Describing efforts of the combine
70 drive his company out OF the New
York and Porto Rican trade. MI buli
submitted circulars bearing the names
of the Insular Line and the New York
and Porto Rican steamship Company.
offering discounts of 90 per cent on for
eign rates during d week when the SAT-
;1ey of a Bull liner for Porto Rico had
been announced
AS Bad as the Rest"
When asked by Representative Hum
nhrev OF washington, why he had not
placed these facts before the Depart
ment of Justice. Mr. Bull said that ne
had been told that ne was as oad as
anv of the rest" because he had signed
a bond in 1900 not to enter into the Porto
Rican trade for ten years He said
no mad decided TO await the action of
,he congressional investigating com
nnitee Chairman Alexander and
representative Humphrey emphat-
;caiiv expressed the opinion that the
com bination should be prosecuted
Companies placed in the alleged COM
h;ne nv Mr.. Bull include the Atlantic.
Gulf and West India Steamship Com
many New York and Porto Rico Steam
ship Company. Clyde Line. Mallory
line and Eastern Line. and the In
sular Line
The com bination. Mr.. Bull said. op-
Grated under agreements with the rali-
roads BY which the railroads refused TO
nroratc with any independent lines on
less than full csrgoes- lie added 1t
VS. almost impossible for an indie
pendcnt company TO secure wharfage
facilities because the railroads owned
or controlled the terminals at most of
the ports. including New York. where
the piers were leased.
Rate War Conducted
Mr. Bull testified that after orgsniz-
inu the New York and Porto Rican
steamship Company. combination OF
circumstances forced him in 1899 20 sell
MS interest and sign a bond not 20 enter
into the Porto Rican trade for ten
wears The line then was taken into
Atlantic.
Steamship Company In 1917 he formed
tho 4 IT. Bull Steamship Company.
with a principal line between New
York and stockton Springs. Maine
since the expiration OF his bond the
witness said. hts company had operated
ships between New York and Porto
Rico in competition with the combine.
which. ne declared. cut rates. sometimes
giving discounts % 80 and % per cent
-vbenevcr a Bull steamer was scheduled
10 eail for Porto Rico
Various ovcrturcs had been made.
Mr.. Bull continued. 90 bring the Buil
line into an agreement 90 maintain
rafes Tho witness said 70 was almost
frnroe-ible for an independent to
charter vessels for the Porto Rican
t-ade because OF agreements between
shfp owners and che combine
= think. forthe good of the public.
con should take the TO The Department
81 Justice said Representative Hum
uhrcy.