The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-14
Claim Against Ithe United states.

WAsHINGroN, March Ex-senator
Shermsn's bill, to limit the jurisdiction
ofthe heads OF departments in the allow
snce Of claims, provides that no claim
against the United States in any eIecu-
tive department. after being finally con-
sidered and rejected by the head OF that
department, shall be subsequently con-
sidered or allowed, in whole or in part,
by the head of that department; but if
preferred again, may be referred TO
The Court Of Claims. Ii
also prohibits the consideration and
allowance by the departments of any
claim that accrued more than two years
before its presentation; providing that
such claims must be referred TO Court
OF Claims, if within the limits prescribed.
By Sec. 1861 of the revised statutes it
is made the express duty Of the account
ing officers Of the Treasury to examine
and pass upon the legality and amount
of each claim recommended for pay
ment as fully and completely as il no
such Recommendation had been made.
Railroads.
On motion Of Mr.. Lawrence, the House
Judiciary Committee was recently in
structed 10 inquire and report what iegis-
lation was necessary 10 secure the gov
ernment against losses on account Of
subsidy bonds issued to various Pacific
railroad companies. The subject
was referred to subcommittee
consisting of Messrs. Knott and
Lawrence, who to-day submitted 10 full
committee q report embodying 4 num-
Der of important recommendations. The
report which was proposed by Judge
Lawrence, goes into an elaborate exam
nation Of the relations which exist be-
tween the Pacific railroads and the gov
ernment, and shows, by detailed stats
tics and computations, that after apply
ing all the means now provided by
law for the reimbursement of interest
and advances, there will be dehcien-
cy of at least $3.50, 900, 900 IN principal
and interest when the subsidy bonds
mature. This result is arrived at with
out allowing the government to calculate
compound interest on its advances. It's
argued that the companies will not be abe
to pay this sum in addition 10 their first
mortgage bonds to private parties and the
belief is expressed they do not expect TO.
The sub com mittec therefore recommend
the passage of the bill, of which the main
features are as follows:
!. The government is to retain in the
Treasury all the money which is or may
be due to the compsnys and apply it to
their Indebtedness 10 the United States.
2. 1t requires each company to
pay to the Government semi-annually
such sums as the Secretary OF the Treas
ury shall prescribe, and which invested
at interest will at the maturity of the
subsidy bonds, create fund sufficient
to pay the principal.
3. 1t requires the creation Of similar
fund TO pay at the maturity Of the sub
sldy bonds the amount OF interest not
then reimbursed by services and by 5
per cent of the net earnings now re-
oured to be paid into the Treasury.
4. 1t prohibits each company from
making any dividendswhile it is in default
of complying with any Of these require
ments for semi-annusl payments.
s. 1t gives the government right
of action TO recover all money due,
or to become due, and to take possession
of any, or operate any road in de-
fault
The bill also, among other things, re
quires the Secretary Of the Treasury TO
report to Congress what may be reasona-
BILE rates for government transportation;
the amounts of the semi-snnual pay
nients to create fund for the payment
of the interest, rate TO be prescribed from
time 10 time according TO the
amounts realized from five per
cent Of the net earnings, and
the retention of charges for
government business. The report says
the proposed bill adds nothing TO the
obligation OF companies as TO the payment
Of interest 1t leaves the question open
whether companies should pay the inter-
eseas it acorues, SO that If the govern.
ment at any time desires TO ask the
Supreme Court 10 review the recent de-
cision this can be done.
Prominent members OF the committee
are of the opinion that tho main recon.
mendation of the report will be adopted,
and the reports showing their condition
at the close of business Friday, the lHh
O. March.