The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1873-09-13
THE UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTEE AT WORK.
TRANSPORTATION, FARES AND FREIGHT.

IhAhSfOklAlloN, FARES AND FREIGHT.
Referring to the meeting of this COM
mlttee, the San Francisco Cut says:
At its last quarterly meeting the Cham
Der OF Commerce appointed "A committee
to cooperate with Senator Casserly and
give him all the assistance possible, aud
the Chamber also made an appropriation
OF $3.50 to procure professional and in the
marshaling of statistics. Senator Cas-
serly met the members of this committee
at the rooms OF the Chamber of Com
merce, and discussed with them the plan
of the Investigation. There were present
c. L. Hopkins, Captain 0. Edridge,
|. w. Raymond and NJ j. O'Connor.
During the preliminary conversation
among the members, Mr.. Hopkins asked
what the power of Congress rs in the
matter of interstate routes-could 1t
regulate
Senator Casserly said it was perplex-
ing question, and one that men were
afraid to face, although all were deeply
anxious on the polnt The Senator pro-
dnced certain documents, arranged for
statistical information, which he said
would be desirable to have: average
rate of freight on wheat from San Fran
cisco to England each month dur.n the
list five years, from 1865 to 1872, in
elusive" Shipments of wheat from
San Francisco, each month during the
last five years, from 1868 to 1872 in
elusive. +" " Average price of the lending
grade at San Francisco each month.
. Receipts of wheat, flour, corn, rye. oats
a nd hurlanr at GaR LranAfgaA Eff.a,
years-lS5S to 1872 inclusive. He had
sent "A circnlar to the Farmers Oranges
all over the State, so far as he could
ascertain them, and also to the news
papers in this State, Oregon and Nevada,
defining the nature of the inquiry, so
that persons desiring TO furnish any in
formation would know what to do. 1t
was desirable that persons who had any
any information 10 furnish should com
municate with them as soon as possible
1t was decided that, in the absence of
the chairman, Hopkins should take the
chair.
Hopkins-How much time is there2
Casscrly-Oh, AS much as You want
Hopkins mentioned that &. 5. Capp,
with the Emigrant Union, and
formerly on the editorial staff of the
Bulletin. was an excellent statislician to
collect information, and he thought they
ought to employ him.
Casserly said he was an excellent man
for the purpcse, being thoroughly COM
petent. The nqniry would be in regard
TO rates of transportation by rail. and also
as to determinations made in charges
between different points, and so on.
Hopkins said he had sent Capp to Vir-
ginia City some time ago to investigate
that question AS affecting the Virginia
and Truckee Railroad, and he brought
down the fullest information. That in
formation he could now give. He had
ascertained that S25 ton was now
charged from here TO Reno.
Casserly-A cent and a quarter per
pound
Hopkins-Yes. sif, and IS for the fifty
two miles from Reno to Virginia City
The road paid $4,000 per mile per an
mum, being it's entire cost. every year.
Raymond Well, but they had contri-
buttons from all the mines.
Casserly-Capp has all those figures :
Hopkins-les sir. II is the richest
piece Of railroad property in the world.
Casserly thought the whole system of
transportation in the United States was II
great problem, in peace as well as in war.
II WAS then agreed that Capp should
be engaged to collect stat htistical informa-
ton.
Hopkins said it WIS his desire to see
the thing well d ne and to have the in
formation complete, for the credit of the
Chamber of Commerce.
Casserly then read printed document
of the Senate showing that the inquiry
covered all means of transportation to
the seaboard from the interior thus en-
hracifg almost every description of route
and, in reply to Captain Eldridge he
stated that the inquiry would also relate
to the traffic with China and Panamaand
up and down the coast, and with the
Slndni h Islands. He expected to get
answers soon to the circulars sent into
the interior, and he believed that a great
deal Of information could be obtained in
San Francisco.
Having no definite business to transact
beyond settling upon the preliminnries,
the committee adjourned at the call of
the Chairman.