The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-20
GsNEFL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

wAsnISGroN, Dec. 10, 1871
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD AND ITS
BRANcHEs-A HEARING BY THE ATTORNEY
Senator Charee's resolution respecting tho linton
Pacific Railroad and branches. which passed both
houses Of Congress- referred by President to
tho Secretary Of tho Interior and Attorney General TO
examine and report TO him tho incts the law upon
tho subject Al the request OF tho Union Pacific Com
pany hearing had at the Attorney Generals
ONCE this morning.
Judge Sheiiabargcr aud Mr. A. J. Poppieton ap-
poared Tor tho Union Pacin: Company; Mr. A. H.
Holmes, OF New York, for the Kansas Pacific Com.
pany. and Mr.. }. n. Wooiworth for tho Burlington
and Missouri River Company The two roads last
named branches OF tho Union Pacific Railroad
system.
The resolution referred to requests tho President TO
inform both houses what legal impediments II any,
exist which prevents him from executing tho laws
OF Congress, which provide that the main line and
it's branches shall DO operated and used for
all purposes OF ommunication travel and transpor-
taton, so far ms the public and tho government arc
concerned, as one connected, continuous line,
equal advantages ana facilities TO rates, time and
transportation, and without discrimination OF any
kind favorable otherwise, TO any OF the companies
After informal conversation MS 10 the scope
OF tho inquiry, Mr. Holmes, behalf
OF the Kansas Pacific Company, set forth
the nature and axtcnt OF tho violations
OF Law by the Union Pacific Company, which operated
the injury Of the public, tho government,
the branch roads and this Kansas Pacific
In particular. He gave historical resume OF
the inception and construction Of tho Pacific rail.
roads, showing that the governing idea Of Congress
throughout Its legislation. on the subject
havo national transco ntinentai highway
from the the Tooth meridian westward, With
branches extending eastward 10 widely separated
points tho Missouri River, so as to accommodate
the business OF the public and OF the government
having reference TO tho convenience Of oil sect Of
tho country. He discussed tho questions OF law and
OF fact relating to tho whole subject and cited numer
instances OF discrimination, showing how tho
rights Of the public respect to passenger travel and
freight traffic, especially regarcs ST. Louis and
tho Southwest, werc violated by the Union Pacific
Company until tho attitude or that company had be-
come ho said, "a national scandal" and tho Kansas
Pacific road had forced into bankruptcy and the
proprietary interest OF the United States thereby
seriously impcrilIcd.
In illustration OF the Determinations practised
against the government he referred tho OF
transportatoi OF tho Second infantry from Georgia
TO San francisco last summer, tor service against
Chief Joseph and his band, IN which the Union
Pacific Company Dad chargeu the united Sfntcb Tor
tho transportation OF the troops west OF Cheyenne
s7,3la more than their through rates from Omaha,
because this regiment had boon conveyed to Cheyenne
by tho Kansas Pacific road.
Judge shcIlabargcr began n reply, contcndng that
the Union Pacific Company did not discrm mate
aganst any OF the branches In charging higher rates
west OF Cheyenne, because tho grades wero heavier
and operating much greater tho higher
grades than over tho level PRAIRIE
Mr. Poppe,on, also bchaIf Of the linton Poclnc
Company, and Mr.. wooiworth, Tor tho Burlington
branch, VIII DO heard TO morrow.
THE INTERNATIONAL PRISON coNaREss--INTIR-
VIEW or THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONER WITH
THE PRESIDENT.
DR.. Wines. United States Commissioner to the In
ternationai Prison Congress Stockholm and Pres-
dent OF tho Congress- had interview President
Hayes to-day, at which hc took leave OF him In view
OF his carly departure Tor Europe, and received tho
Presidents -cncwcd assurance OF hts warm interest
his mission and his earnest wishes That no might
bayc prosperous voyage and grca, success IN his
abors The Commissioner informed tho President that