Professional Life: Public Testimony
Hastings frequently testified before government bodies about railroad rates. There were many issues. The various railroad lines sought rates that were to their advantage. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) sought to see that the public was being well served. When the Panama Canal opened in 1914 there major changes were needed in the routing and rating of freight hauling. Some of his appearances were:
- October 17, 1914, Chicago, Interstate Commerce Commission. Noted that shipments by water from the Atlantic to Pacific ports doubled with the opening of the Panama Canal. In view of this competition the railroads sought to reduce transcontinental rates.
- July 17, 1922, San Francisco, Shipping Board. Contended that certain features of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 would create new sea lanes between the Atlantic Coast and the Far East to the detriment of the Pacific Coast ports.
- September 15, 1922, Oakland, Interstate Commerce Commission. Opposed joint rail and water rates proposed by the Southern Pacific Railroad on the grounds that they would discriminate against middle-western shippers.
- September 11, 1925, Chicago, Interstate Commerce Commission. Argued that a proposed rate increase should leave the eastbound rates on perishable products to Eastern states unchanged to encourage the continued development of California agriculture.
- January 15, 1929, Fresno, Interstate Commerce Commission. Along with the Southern Pacific Railroad opposed the application of the Western Pacific Railroad to build another rail line in the San Joaquin Valley as unneeded.
- May 27, 1930, Washington DC, Senate Subcommittee of the Committee on Interstate Commerce. Testified on the issue of long and short haul, the desire of the railroads to set rates differently depending on the distance of travel.
- June 7, 1935, Washington DC, House Sub-Committee of the Committee on Interstate Commerce. Testified on the Pettengill bill to amend the long and short haul provision of the interstate commerce act. Argued for rate leeway to enable the railroads to compete with water shipment through the Panama Canal.
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