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Show REBATING. IS ALLEGED ALBUQUERQUE. N. M., Dec 17. Judge C. A. Prouty of the Interstate Commerce Commission has partially completed hearing testimony in the charges of discrimination in rates on coal and mine supplies In favor of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, brought by an independent coal mine operator in New Mexico against the Santa Fe Railroad company. The plaintiffs sought to prove that the railroad by a secret agreement with the Colorado Fuel and Iron company delivered that company's coal free on board for practically what Independent coal companies have to pay for freight, thus shutting off all competition in New Mexico and Arizona. The defense contented con-tented itself with a cross-examination intended to show that the chief complainant, com-plainant, the Caledonian Coal company of Gallup, N. M., produced an Inferior grade of coal to that produced by the Colorado Fuel and Iron company at its mines in southern Colorado and northern north-ern New Mexico. W. B. Biddle. freight traffic manager of the Santa Fe, was on the stand but the prosecution was able to secure from him no admission of a secret agreement with the Colorado Fuel and Iron company. com-pany. The president of the Caledonian company, Alexander Bowie, testified that the anta Fe delivered the coal for the Colorado Fuel and Iron company at Demlng. where connection is made with the big smelting plants of Arizona and New Mexico for $4.05 f. o. b., or practically prac-tically the rate charged the independent companies for freight alone. The examination of Mr. Biddle was not completed, the commission desiring to inquire into certain tariffs and contracts con-tracts for which the records of the railroad will be required, and the hearing hear-ing was adjourned until December 29 in Chicago whenurther testimony will be taken. |