Mr. HOOKER. Oh, yes; the incomes of railroads have been enormously increased by the changes made. There was testimony before the House committee on that subject, indicating a number of changes. That has been rather an insidious way of advancing freight rates. The CHAIRMAN. The power to fix rates would reach the classification, would it? Mr. HOOKER. Oh, yes. Give the Commission that power and that would give them authority over classifications. The CHAIRMAN. They would reach classifications under that power? Mr. HOOKER. Undoubtedly. I think these changes of classifications have been an abuse. I am very much obliged to you, Senators. Hon. STEPHEN B. ELKINS, INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION, United States Senator, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: In response to your request of January 28, the Commission has the honor to send you herewith certain statements or tables of representative rates on June 30 1897, as compared with the same rates on June 30, 1904. These tables include both class and commodity rates, and on each of them are indicated the points between which they apply. They are confined to the territory mentioned in your letter, and are intended to be fairly representative of the rates in force on the dates named, respectively. So far as class rates are concerned, a comparison of this kind gives a fairly correct idea of the changes in such rates, as there is comparatively little fluctuation in rates of this character; but in the case of special rates on important commodities such a comparison is liable to be misleading on account of the frequent fluctuations in commodity rates. By way of illustration, a statement is appended showing all changes in the rates on flour and grain from Kansas City, Mo., to Galveston, Tex., for export, from January 30, 1897, to June 30, 1904, from which it will be seen that the rates in effect on the first-mentioned date, and which remained in force until January 1, 1899, were higher than at any subsequent period, and that the rates in force on June 30, 1904, were higher than for the greater portion of the intervening period. The rates shown in this statement as in effect on June 30, 1904, are still in force, with the exception of the proportional rate on corn for export, which, within the last few days, has dropped to 11 cents. That a comparison of rates on two specified dates quite widely separated may be misleading is also shown by two other tables submitted, showing all changes in rates on cattle and hogs from Tyler and Hubbard City, Tex., to St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Ill., from July 3, 1888, to March 5, 1903, the rates shown under the last-mentioned date being those now in force. Very respectfully, yours, MARTIN A. KNAPP, Chairman. Statement showing changes in rates on flour and grain from Kansas City, Mo., to Galveston, Tex., for export, from June 30, 1897, to June 30, 1904. Freight rates on cattle and hogs from points on the St. Louis Southwestern Railway. Freight rates on cattle and hogs from points on the St. Louis Southwestern Railway-Con. FROM TYLER, TEX.-Continued. Statement showing rates on classes and commodities from Chicago, Ill., to San Francisco, Cal., also from San Francisco, Cal., to Chicago, Ill., in force June 30, 1897, and June 30, 1904. [Rates in cents per hundred pounds.] FROM CHICAGO, ILL., TO SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. Statement showing rates on classes and commodities from Chicago, Ill., to Salt Lake City, Utah; also, from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Chicago, Ill., in force from June 30, 1897, and June 30, 1904. Crockery, queensware and earthenware, numbers rated fifth class, Western classification, C. L . Dry goods, any quantity. Furniture, numbers straight C. L., rated third class, Western classification Glass, window, C. L.... Nails and spikes, C. L. (iron articles). Shoes, horse and mule, C. L. (iron articles) Jars, fruit, and glasses, C. L... Machinery, C. L., rated Class A, Western classification. Paint, earth, C. L.. Soap, common, C L.. Tin plate, C. L'. Wire, iron or galvanized, C. L |