Mr. Bbyson. That line is not subject in any way to the filing of tariffs with,
the Interstate Commerce Commission?

Mr. Haile. I understand not from New York to Galveston ; so far as parties
to a through rate is concerned, I do not know whether they file their rates or
not. But I was going to say that I had a talk with the view of determining
whether or not it was possible for them to make any advance, in view of the
competition they have from tramp vessels — schooners. I was satisfied in my
own mind that so far as the rail lines from St. Louis were concerned — and from
Chicago we were all of one opinion — that the rates ought to be advanced; that
there was no reason why they should not be, and every reason from our own
standpoint why they should. The question arose with me as to whether or not
it was possible to get these rates, these water rates, which might be used to
defeat any through tariffs, advanced, and I was satisfied from this conference
with Mr. Warfield that they could make some advances in their rates, and I
knew about what volume of advance that would probably be.
Mr. Bbyson. There was no understanding or agreement between you and
the water representative what the advance would be?

^Mr. H.oLE. Absolutely none.
SJr. Bkyson. You felt it your duty to advise yourself \^hether your line,
independently, could undertake to advance the rates en your line?

Mr. Haile. Yes, sir.
Mr. Bbyson. I think that is all.
