Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-26

gets into Washington" asked Attorney
Bikle.
Through the withdrawal of store-door
delivery"
Railroad counsel sought to question Mr..
Columbus al to the rates.
Il am not here said the witness, ito
testify as to rates; only came to testify
as to the sentiment of our members as to
the rate situation"
With this explanation the witness was
excused.
Government Witness Challenged.
Elvin r. Troxel, freight clerk of the
Navy Department, when called, explained
that the navy's annual freight bill was
approximately s650,0O0, 60 per cent of
which was affected by the store-door de-
livery. However, he explained, he was at
the hearing merely to say that any
change in rates on freight would very
materially affect the Navy Department.
Counsel for the railroads then took the
witness and attempted to find out by
what authority he was present at the
hearing
IT was directed by the chief of my
bureau. who was directed by the chief
clerk of the department., to be present at
this hearing, and 1 should presume that
he was directed by higher authority"
Il just wanted to find out if the gov
eminent was sending a man to the in
terstate commerce commission to say the
rates must be reduced" said Attorney
Galloway, after questioning at some
length to find the specific authority for
Troxefs appearance.
Examiner Bars Insinuations.
Protested by Attorney Hanes for the
Chamber Of Commerce; Examiner Pugh
said: =
THAT line Of questioning will be con.
cluded: I will not submit to insinuations
from either side'' -....-..z.-..
Nevertheless, do not think it proper
Tor him to be here" was Attorney CAL
loMaY.s pagttng shot. - 4s,ss...s. .s.ss.a,
n think Il q perfectly proper for the
government to be represented here. If 1t
wants to- II its business Is affected by
the rates. then there Is no doubt as to its
right to have, representative" was Elk
aminer Pugh's response.
w.. D. Crow. an attorney in the office
Of the solicitor for the Navy Depart
ment, arose at this point to explain Mr..
Troxers appearance. HE was directed
to appear here because of his familiarity
with rate matters, The chief clerk of
INC QcpdItule requested DOtn OF us 10
appear here and take an interest in this
case"
Complainants Rest Case.
At this point the compliments rested
their case.
The first witness for the defense was
W. W. Bowie, Washington freight agent
for the Pennsylvania lines. On direct
examination. most Of his testimony was
q history Of the establishment Of store
door delivery. On cross-examination At
torney Rosenberg sought to bring out
whether the real reason for the with
drawal Of the service was the congestion.
Mr.. Bowie explained that it was estab-
lished because of congested conditions in
the freight terminals, but that these
have been bettered and increased de-
mands were being made for extensions to
other territory in the District, involving
additional cost, it was decided to abolish
It, Mr.. Bowie explained that he had
nothing to do with the making of rates.
ity, and was excused from further cross
examination.
Robert C. Wright, freight traffic man
ager for the Pennsylvania, then took the
stand. He declared that free delivery to
store doors would be the last means he
would take Of meeting water competition.
He said the rail lines had advantage over
boat lines because of better distributing
facilities.
Other Cities Sought Service.
Asked to explain what he meant by bet
ter distributing facilities. he said more
terminals and sidings in q city, while a
steamship line only had one wharf or
dock. He declared that the reason for
the withdrawal of the delivery service
was pressure being brought from other
places for institution of the service. Phila-
delphia and Richmond wanted 1t. He de-
clared the railroads didn't want to have
the service disturbed in Washington, I'M
less they could help 1t.
Counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road explained just before the noon re-
cess that they would not present any
evidence, being content to rest with the
vania's counsel. as the conditions affect
ing both were substantially the same in
this case.
Attorney Galloway. for the Southern
take only short time this afternoon to
present the case for his road.
Mr.. Caskie Cross-Examined.
Although number of witnesses were
heard at the afternoon session yester-
day, at the time adjournment was taken
| the attorneys for the Washington interests
were unable to complete their case. When
| the hearing was convened following the
luncheon recess yesterday NJ, NJ. Caskie,
assistant manager of the Freight Audit
| and Adjustment Company, who was on
| the stand, was turned over to the attor-
neys representing the transportation COM
panies for Characterization.
Henry F. Bikle. attorney for the Penn
| sylvan1a railroad and its allied lines. en-
deavored to get from Mr.. caskie some
| Idea as to what rates he considered fair
| both into and out of Washington
.sWhat rates do you think should be
| nut into effect between New York and
| Washington asked Mr.. Bike.
| II am not prepared to state" responded
| the witness.
| "Well, you ara here attacking certain
rates and seeking better ones. and /
should think you could tell us what you
| wanted"
u am not prepared to name the fig
ures."
Tries to Learn What's Wanted.
Efforts were made by Attorney Bike
to force from the witness a statement as
nta1 x1yta