The New York herald., 1879-11-30

asphalt or stone. The wood pavements are
for the great part impassa abls and the first
aud most pressing need is that those remaining
should be taken up rapidly as possible. por-
ton. however. upon outlying streets may be left for
the present without injury TO the general interests
of the city. In their last report the commissioners
recommended that a sufficient sum to entirely relay
the imPassable psvsments of the city should be
provided at once. by direct appropriation or
otherwise. This Recommendation did not meet
the approval Of Congress. and it simply
remains to accomplish the work as the
surplus revenues OF the district will permit
The gradual aecretons the fats have reached that
point when IL is necessary that decisive action
should DC taken to sbate what is rapidly becoming
q gigantic and intolerable nuisance. Three plans
have been proposed which the Commissioners de-
scribe in detail The immediate object 10 Dc Al
tained is to put the flats in such condition thas
they will 10 longer be sources oil haiariAi
disease, and the project recommended py the So'n
missioners would reclaim 12O acres OF wnich one-
third are to be included in chain Of public parks
The estimates are not yet completed, but Will sggre
gate about sl,90O,00J. The COMMISSIONERS recon-
mend legislation to compel the remo'ai
of the baltimore and Ohio and the Balt
more aud Potomac railroad depots to some
suitable location for a union depot. In
ample OF a city where the railway stations are found
at the barriers, and neither the travelling public nor
the business community of that great capital seem
to suffer from the exclusion OF railway tracks from
ts streets Washington suffers now and will con-
tinue to suffer SO long as the two railway compa-
MES allowed to occupy their present depot
sites and to monopolizo the streets leading
thereto Although the capital Of the nation. it has
business except such pertains to supplying the
wants of its citizens. and no considerations of COM
mercial interests be urged as reason for per-
mitng railroads penetrate to its centre and mar
its growth and beauty. We again earnestly invite
the attention OF Congress to the subject"
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
The annual report of the Government Auditor Of
Railroad Accounts (which not completely access
sible until this afternoonj. contains the following
points In addition TO those telegraphed yesterday:
The Auditor recommends that the time for the COIN
pletion OF Northern Pacific Rsilroad be extended
five years from July 1, 1879. He says:-
This company is going with It's construction at
both ends OF the line, and expects to have two or
use by the summer OF 1880 1t Is anticipated that
the general improvements in business will enable
this company carry to successful completion
this great Northern line to the Pacific. The people
OF Oregon and Washington Territory the great
Northwest OF the Pacific coast desire more direct
means of communication with the Eastern States.
The companys affairs ar6 in good condition and
under good control.
1t is also recommended that the Auditors office be
empowered to require the bridges and other struc-
lures the Pacific railroads to be put into proper
condition In regard to this subject Auditor French
says
welfare that the authority is asked for to require
the companies to maintain their bridges and other
structures i'll good aud safe condition. Tho nu-
merous bridge accidents that occurring and the
uncertain condition of many old bridges on the
Western railroads. generally, seem to require par
tcular caution'in this regard now and hereafter
Another recon mendation is that the several de-
partments OF the government be authorized and
required to enter into annual contracts with all sub
sidized and land grant railroad companies for rates
of passenger and freight transportation.
This, says Auditor French. is recommended in
order for tire government to obtain service on the
railroads at tho very lowest rates that
paid by any private corporation per-
son. In many instances. 1t is believed. the
when the records of the companies show that both
passengers and freight must have been carried for
prices much below those paid by the government.
The report calls attention to the fact that
whereas the Union Pacific Railroad Company
does it's own express business and derives
large profits therefrom. the Central Pacific
Railroad Company farms out its express
business to Wells. Fargo Co.. who appear to
make large portion of the profit that would other
wise swell tho railroads total net earnings. of
which twenty per cent is payable to the United
States under the Thurman law OF 1878. demand
has therefore been made upon the president Of
Wells, Fargo Co. for return showing the
amount Of the net earnings. &C.. OF that
company since November g. 1869. upon which
IL Is claimed five per cent is duo and payable the
United States. IL the express company is not
willing to pay this hve per cont Of not earnings.
IL the decide against the claim OF the United
States tho railroad company should be required by
Congress to do it's own express business.
The report proceeds rs folows:-
The Union Pacific Railroad Company, In opposi-
tion to the wishes OF the government directors.
10 is Understood, on October l. 1867, entered into
contract with Mr.. George NJ Pullman to run his
sleeping their railroad. Another contract
was subseq qucnty made with the Pullman Pacific Car
Company. This last contract expires September 70.
1892. There does not appear to DO any reason why
this company cannot run It's own parior and sleop-
ny cars well do its express business. The
peculiarly of the case is that while this company
does its express business IL farms its Sleep
ing business. and that the Central Pacific the
contrary farms out its express business, but runs
it's own sleeping ears. There appear to DO earn
ings from the sleeping car business reported by
this company. but the expenses to which the
June 80. 1878. have been S54320t. As In
tho express business OF Wes. Fargo X Co. on
the Central Pacific. u demand has been made on the
Pullman Pacific Car Company for a statement OF
their net earnings on the Union Pacific Raiirosd
since November ., 1869, In order to ascertain ~"
claimed In duo from tho Pullman Pacific Car Com
pany or from tho Union Pacific Company to the
United States.
TREASURY Law SUITS.
The annual report OF Judge Raynor Solicitor Of
the Treasury shows that the whole number of suits
commenced within the year 2.Oc0. of which ls
wore of class l. for the recovery OF s23l.s %;
iG4 were Of class 2. for the recovery OF
H.