Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-09
counsel for the Maine Central rail-

counsel for the Maine Central rail-
road.
The contention Of the pulpwood
, companies was that the Increased
revenue sought by the Maine Cen
| trail railroad might be secured in con-
| siderable measure by advancing the
| rates for hauling potatoes, and the
| purpose of Offering the contract was
| to show that the Maine Central reve-
i nue. on potato traffic is exceptionally
| small under the division between the
two railroads as provided for in the
contract. The contract was for Is
years and was made in 1913 when
CHARLES Mellen was president of the
New Haven railroad which then
controlled the Maine Central.
| Attorney laRoe Modfies Statement
Attorney LaRoe, when the hearing
was resumed Thursday morning, de-
| clared that he might have been mis-
taken In the statement he had made
the previous day to the effect that the
sum of $1,000,000 might be obtained
| by the Maine Central Railroad out of
| potato traffic. He admitted that his
information on that subject was mea-
gre and inadequate.
Reference was made by Attorney
LaRoe to a letter written May 81, 1921,
by George e. Wicks. general freight
agent for the Bangor & Aroostool
Railroad Company. to the Interstate
Commerce Commission. A division of
the potato traffic rate between the
Maine Central Railroad and the Ban
Sor & Aroostook Railroad was shown,
setting forth that on the proportional
rate of 81 cents from Presque Isle to
Brunswick the Bangor & Aroostook
received 26 cents for 49, miles to
Northern Maine Junction, while the
Maine Central received six cents for
102 miles from Northern Maine juno
ton to Brunswick. Thus for perform
ing 40 per cent. of tho haul. the Maine
Central took in 1s.S per cent. of the
revenues.
ATTORNEY LeRoe commended that there
are available to the Maine Central Rail
road sources of revenue In the form of
increased divisions which would put
the railroad on its feet without eaus-
ing any increase in rates to Maine
shippers.
Attorney Blatchford for the Maine
Central Railroad IN objecting to the
admission in evidence of the contract
between the Maine Central and the
Fangor & Aroostook on the ground of
its being immaterial to the issue, de-
clared that at the proper time they
would produce testimony showing the
ahsurdity of the Maine Central Rail-
road obtaining any such amount as had
been spoken of.
Chairman Charles Z. Quincy of the
utilities commission announced the
commissions decision that the con-
tract was admissible in evidence, and
a copy of it was produced by Attorney
Biatchford.
The witness, Mr.. Eaton expressed
the opinion that any revamping of the
division rates would not give the
Maine Central such a great increase
i'll revenue. and that such a revision
could not be made inside of two or
three years. He said that 1t was his
opinion that there was not sufficient
amount of money in It to warrent pro-
divided between the Boston & Maine
and the Maine Central railroads.
Chief of Tariffs Testifies
The next witness called by the
Maine Central was Lucien Snow of
Portland, chief of tariffs of the rail-
road, who testified that Mr.. Eaton
had made the statement that the
pulpwood rates Of the Maine Central
railroad had been much too low in the
past. Mr.. Snow presented schedules
showing these rates for the purpose of
substantiating Mr.. Eaton's statement.
II think the rates on the Maine
Central have been ridiculously low"
said the witness.
DO you base that on the fact that
it is lower than the Boston & Maine?"
asked Attorney Ives.
"Not entirely" said Mr. Snow. 1--WE
reached the determination that the
paper mills of the State would stand
additional revenue" ae added.
Recalled for examination, Mr.. Eaton
told how the new rates for pulpwood