“Commissioner. How long did it last?
“Manager. I think it lasted probably two weeks.
“Commissioner. What led you, then, to cut your rate through St. Louis?
“Manager. Our agent in Kansas City discovered about January 20 that provisions were moving through Chicago at less than tariff rate.”
The Commission found that all the railroads made low rates for the Beef Trust, but they could not find any railroad that led off in the business of cutting rates. Each one said it cut rates because it found the others were cutting. They were all followers.[[110]]
The Chairman of the Commission said to the Vanderbilt traffic man: “I observed that you spoke of your road as following the others.
“Mr. Cost. Yes, sir.
“The Chairman. I have heard a similar statement from other gentlemen. Have you any idea who is the leader?
“Mr. Cost. No; I have not. I could not give you that information.
“The Chairman. You have never heard of the leader?