Mr. Mitchell said rebates were paid indirectly by means of bank drafts. The railroad makes a deposit in bank. The traffic manager checks against it, and the bank supplies drafts on New York or cashier’s checks which are sent to the persons who are to receive rebates.[108] The railroads try to be good sometimes, make New Year’s resolutions, and stop the rebates; but some naughty boy breaks his vows in two or three weeks, and then the rest follow suit. Here is the testimony of a Western traffic manager on this point.[109] “COMMISSIONER. What proportion of the traffic (in provisions) have you carried at the tariff rate? “TRAFFIC MANAGER. It was a very small proportion of the total, and it was probably along about the first of last year. “COMMISSIONER. You are accustomed to indulge in New Year’s resolutions? “MANAGER. Yes, sir; we all swear off on New Year’s, and begin again. “COMMISSIONER. Is it a fact that from Jan. 1, 1901, there was a period when the tariff rate (on provisions) was actually applied by all the roads? “MANAGER. Yes, sir; I think it was. “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? “MR. COST. No, sir. “THE CHAIRMAN. They are all followers. “MR. COST. That does really seem to be the case.”