Note 288 — Chapter XXVI · PRIVATE-CAR ABUSES.
Reading edition
See testimony before the I. C. C. April, 1904, p. 27. Mr. Watson’s memory was very hazy. He could not remember what he had formerly testified on this subject before the referee. Neither could he tell what “U. P.” meant nor recognize the clear meaning of “C. & A.” in the car-line account books, though every one familiar with railway matters knows that “U. P.” stands for Union Pacific and “C. & A.” for Chicago and Alton. Mr. Marchand, counsel for the Commission, drew some curious non-information and mal-information from Mr. Watson, the former head of Porter Brothers, who were large shippers of fruit in Chicago.
“Mr. Marchand. What commission did you receive from the railroads on account of Porter Brothers up to that time?
“Mr. Watson. I told you that was all stopped about four years ago, to the best of my recollection.”
“Mr. Marchand. Do you remember receiving from the Union Pacific Railroad Company $1,400 in 1898—January 25, 1898?
“Mr. Watson. I do not.
“Mr. Marchand. You have no recollection of that?
“Mr. Watson. No, sir.
“Mr. Marchand. In 1899 there appears upon the ledger of Armour & Co., or rather the Fruit Growers’ Express, an item of $47,000, a credit. Do you know where that came from?
“Mr. Watson. I do not know anything about the books of Armour & Co.
“Mr. Marchand. Do you remember having received from C. & A. as on the books of Armour & Co., on the 10th of October, 1899, the sum of $45,219?
“Mr. Watson. I do not. I guess if you look it up you will find it is ‘credits and allowances.’
“Mr. Marchand. ‘C. & A.’ stands for ‘credits and allowances’? What does ‘U. P.’ stand for?
“Mr. Watson. I do not know.
“Mr. Marchand. Does that stand for ‘Union Pacific’?
“Mr. Watson. I do not know whether it does or not.”
Mr. Robbins, vice-president and manager of the Armour Car-Lines, was also afflicted with loss of memory, which was specially unfortunate in view of the fact that the Trust had destroyed the accounts some time before the Hearing.
“Mr. Marchand. Can you explain the item of $14,000 paid to the Union Pacific?
“Mr. Robbins. No, sir; I can not.
“Mr. Marchand. Is there anybody in your employ that can?
“Mr. Robbins. I do not think so.
“Mr. Marchand. You say you have destroyed your records.
“Mr. Robbins. Yes, sir.”