New-York tribune., 1878-01-19
PRO-RATING ON PACIFIC RAILWAYS.
THE PRESIDENT SENDS THE ATToRNEY-GENERAE!
DECISION TO THE HOUSE.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl

DECISION TO THE HOUSE.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRI8UNEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.-The President commune
Gated to the House late this afternoon the letter of
the Attorney General in response to the House
luton relative to the proposition to compel the
Union Pacific Railroad Company to prO-rate with
the Kansas Pacific aud other branch roads.
The letter of tho AttOrney-General rectes the
olution, sets forth that Secretary Schurz and the
Attorney General heard the arguments of the repre-
sentatives of the Union Pacific and Kansas Pacific
Companies and comes in substance. TO the following
conclusions That the Executive is poweress. under
present legislation, to compel the Union Pacific 10
probate with any of the branch roads /;
that if Congress desires the President to take
action additional legislation will be necessary that
the essential points III controversy have been sub
mitted to the decision Of Judge Dillon in the Iowa
Circuit Court, from whose opinion probably the de-
feated party will take an appeal; that the law of
1878 requiring suit to be brought against the Union
Pacific for alleged violation Of law, is not prospect
i've and relates only TO illegal acts alleged to have
been committed prior to the passage of the law, and
that by the common agreement of all parties inter
ested it is thought advisable not to take any crimi-
mai proceedings against the officers Of any of the
roads until after the points which have been sub
nitted to the courts have been passed upon.
The Union Pacific people assert that they have
carried their point in that the AttOrney-General
does not fud any law authorizing him to compel
pro-ratng but the Kansas Pacific people think that
the chief advantage in the decision is with them, in
that it calls the attention of Congress to the
sity OF additional legislation to compel the Union
Pacific to obey the law and to carry cut its prCys
ions as its opponents understand them.
The additional legislation referred to by the letter
Of the Attorncy-Gcncral will most certainly be at
tempted. Tie necessary bills on the subject have
already been drawn. and will be presented to both
Houses OF Congress at an early day.
Among other provisions which the bill prepared
IN the interest Of the Kansas Pacific Company will
contain are the following: First that in the opera
Ton OF the Union Pacific Road so far as The public,
the Government and the Kansas Pacific Railroad
arc concerned, rates of freight and fare shall be
charged which shall be- in all cases, not greater
!han the lowest through rate per mile charged by
the Union Pacific over its entire road the same
class Of freghts and for passengers; sec
ono, that the requirements Of the proposed
Act and the Acts OF which it is amcnda-
pdy !efy shall apply to the. Central Pacific
cDlon Pacific Railroad Company, and that the mu-
tual duties, rights and relations of these two com
pahles, and the Burlington and Missouri River Rail-
read Company, and the Sioux City and Pacific Rail
those Of tne Central Pacific Railroad Company, the
nmon Pacific Railroad Company, and the Kansas
faehc RAILROAD Company, as provided in the pro-
posed Act and the Acts Of which il is amcndatory
.nrd that tic failure on the part Of any Of the com
panes named TO comply with the terms of the pro-
Visions Of the proposed Act and the Acts of which it
samendatory, shall work forfeiture Of all rights
franchises and privileges of such company and the
Attorney-Genera is instructed TO proceed by 0uo
"artanto against the company so violating the law