The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-08
RATE HEARING
Is CONCLUDED
EVIDENCE SHOWED RAILROADS
INCREASED RATES BECAUSE
OF GREATER OUTPUT
OF CLAY
Witnesses Stated No Official InVesti
cation Was Made as to Cost
OF Production.

80 - - - 49, FNAHN -
OF clay from points in Kentucky and
Tennessee which was conducted at the
local federal building for the Inter
state commerce commission by ~ns-
liner \. Il. Mackley was concluded yes.
terday afternoon. Mr.. Mackley. sew
eral OF the witnesses and attorneys
departed last night FOR their respec-
tive homes and the others will leave
this morning.
At the Investigation yesterday the
evidence showed that the railroads
had increased the rates from 10 TO ~
cents per ton merely because the ship
ments were increasing on account or
the domestic product being more in
demand on ccoun Of the scarcity OF
the foreign clay which was shipped in
from England before the present war.
The principal witness for the rail
roads was Mr.. Kerr. CHIEF clerk 10 the
general superintendent OF the l. & y.
railroad. lie stated that no official in
vestigation was made as TO the cost Of
production or the part Of the mining
companies. He also claimed he be
lieyed the railroads should be allowed
the proposed increase on OF
the extra equipment necessary 70
8a""A' NA' h'AA"NNAAANAN AAAAfnEAAAA sup
ments from kentucky and Tennessee.
Cost OF Operation.
The protest OF ne clay mining COM
panies is being waged chiefly against
the Illinois Central. she VI. d O.. y. g.
4 ST. l.. and l. 4 y. railway compan-
les. They propose a joint clay tariH.
known as No. 10. which places all
points on these roads on the same rate
to all points where clay IS shipped. At
the same time these rates represent a
biz increase.
The railroads attempted IN part OF
their argument AZ the hearing ycster-
day 10 explain hat the reason for
wanting 90 increase rates was on ac-
count OF the increased cost Of opera
ton and things entering i'm thereto.
Mr.. Kerr and others who testified for
tho railroads disclaimed any know
ledge as 10 what clay was costing the
producers. The Mandel Clay company
OF -. Louis testified that the selling
price Of clay was $50 TO $500 per
ton. with the lower price representing
az least half their sales. whereas the
higher priced clays were not all $500
but ranged from $3.50 TO $500. Mr..
Frank $. Bell testified that assuming
that N, very large percentage OF clay
i- shipped into tho Wheeling district
whore the majority Of the potterics
I are located and 10 which district the
: present rate ia S242 A. will be- seen
that the frcicht rate on az least half
the product is about 3 1-3 times the
cost Of he material Mr.. Bell also
pointed out as an example that an
average car load OF clay from Whit
lock. Tenn. would net S922G when
shipped 10 Huntington. W Va. q dis
lance OF 40 miles As against $40 on
q car load OF furniture when shipped
90 the same city from St Louis. q dis
lance OF $50 miles.
Hearing is Adjourned.
Az the evidence was submitted
shortly before q o'clock when the hear
ing was adjourned The testimony
viii Do, presented by Examiner Mack
Icy fo the Interstate Commerce com
mission 300 Washington who VIII give
ifa decision later. The proposed rate
has been suspended Iy The commission
until NAV 81. but has ten months ar
Ter that 'u which TO give its hnal de-
| r.siou Or 90 does not render its opIn-
Son before May 20 tho suspension VIII
automatically continue in force
Attorney Burger. OF Louisville. con.
Quoted fHo examination Tor tup 4.
y. railroad The " e. o. St D. va.
represented bv Ifs chief rate clerk. 30
D. Ualrrs and Attorney NowI' The
d. g. vas represented HF Mr. shepherd
and Attorney Eowlo. THr NIautDI CIIy
q Mining CO.. OF So Louis was r-pro
srfai hv Frnd IS BELL. vice pro. Ifcrf
and .IIH. mar1.Dr uf fNr company and