The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1913-02-27
COMMISSION HEARS
BAILEY COMPLAINT

Frank J. Miller and Thos Campbell,
members of the State Railroad Com
mission, were here yesterday, where at
the county court house they examined
witnesses in an investigation of the
complaint recently made by O. NJ. Bal
ley, an Upper Valley raneher, against
the Mt Hood Railroad Co. Mr.. Bailey
alleged in his complaint that the com
pany should appoint an agent at Park
dale for the convenience OF the Upper
Valley patrons. He also declared thai
the rates on commodities produced by
the ranchers Of that community were
prohibitive. Mr.. Baileysproduced wit
nesses 20 show that il would be cen
venient for the Upper Valley residents
to prepay freight and to have goods
sent them and the freight paid on re-
eeipt at the terminus.
The company showed that every ae-
commodation was provided for the
shipper BY the road at the present
time. He is allowed TO leave his
freight stored at the station st Park
dale an indefinite time without having
to pay storage rent. j. N. Clark, a
ticket agent, attends to the freight
room and shippers can leave goods at
most any time of the dag. The com
pany's testimony also showed that q
heavy deficit had been incurred on the
Parkdale extension since it was built
three years ago, and that it would be
to expect an additional
expenditure for freight agent at
parkdale.
w. b. Davidson, an Upper Valley |
-ancher, who made a business of haul |
ng freight last year, was one Of the
witnesses. He stated
hat he had hauled about 1900 boxes
# apples from the district and as many
more had been hauled down by others,
lr. Davidson said the reason for the
transportation by team was that the
found il cheaper.
A. 0. Hershey. who operated auto
rucks from this city to the Upper Val
sy until last year. stated that he
Dund it Improbable and that he had
,st money by making rate lower
nan that charged by the railroad
ompany. "Unless one made a charge
great deal heavier than made, said
lr. Hershey, II cannot see how he
ould long exist.
j. G. Craven. who testified for the
laintiif, stated that he would like to
ee the railroad company and the |
.roKers get together. Everybody |
,nows that we are not making any
money. when we are bringing ian orch
rd into bearing, said Mr.. Craven"
nd the railroad company should take
his into consideration. When the
ppe orchards there come into bearing,
here will be a big lot of freight for
omebody. The company should not
Ittempt to make money now, out
hould bear loss and aid us in our de-
ielopment. "
One OF Mr.. Bailey's complaints was
hat the company should operate train
lut Of the Upper Valley in the morning,
they would get a larger passenger busi-
ness, and the Upper Valley citizens
would be able to come to the city and
attend to the days business, returning
at night, on the train that should be
provided then, he said.
The company brought in figures to
show that last June, July and August,
when two trains had been run daily
to Parkdale that the increase in daily
business was not enough pay The sal
airy OF the conductor, while their opefat-
ing expenses were practically doubled.
If the morning train of the company
were brought from Parkdale to the city,
according to the company, the passenger
receipts would be no heavier, since a
heavy commercial traveller business is
done on the morning trains out of the
city.
One OF the contettions of the plaintiff
was that the company could afford to
make a lower rate on commodities to
and from the Upper Valley, and thus
induce residents there to grow more
produce and feedstuffs and thus furnish
Q great deal heavier amour of freight.
The Commission took the testimony
under consideration and will render a
decision later.