Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-19
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Complaints Against the San Francisco
and North Pactfc-Etc.


SAN FRANCISCO, January lSth.-A meet
ing Of the Railroad Commissioners was held
to-day; Commissioner Carpenter absent. A
summons had been issusd to the San Fran
cisco and North Psci6c Railroad Company
to appear AMI show cause whyfss rates for
freight ard fares should not be reduced, and
the following residents OF S2nou2 county
csme down to give their side Of the question
From Santa Eosa-B. Goldf-lsi, 5. I. Coul-
ter, Master of the State Grange I. J. Geary,
District Attorney. From HealdsbuIC-Jona
Bloom, Cashier of Healisbuyg Bank; John
A. Paxton, w A. GLADDEN.. From Windsor
"A. B. Nslly. From Cloverdsle-J. O.
Hesld, John Field. From Geyservil,e-Su-
pervisor L. G. Ellis. From GuernevilIe-
Captain G. Watson.
I. W. johnson, Auditor of the said rail
road. appeared and stated that no reduction
ahould be made, as the road cannot yet stand
It. The road as yet had no ending, as one
might say, and hardly a beginning. Just
now an extension to Point Iiburon is being
built, and this, with wharves ferryboats, etc,
will cost 81 000,00O When this is completed
the road will have what it never hes had, an
outlet to San Francisco. The company has
received no complaints, and it has thought
that its policy Was satisfactory. The road is
ssndwiched between other roads, and was,
therefore, a serious competition. Rates are
low, and as yet no dividends have been
earned. The road has to handle its freight
twice. resulting in less of 60 or 20 cents per
ton. The maximum freight rate allowed Is
1l5 cents, but this maximum has never been
touched The average rate OF fare is sc
cents per mile. In 1888 the total number Of
passengers carried was 15l, $40, of whom
49, 900 were to Or fEom this city.
Mr.. Foote said that he had been informed
that rates were so high that farmers can
haul their grain cheaper than it can be car
ried by rail.
Mr.. Geary stated that no grain was taken
from o certain ranch unless special rates were
grated.
bIr. johnson replied that he thought rates
should be reduced as business increased. The
road has reduced rates since the company
was organized.
Mr.. Foote said the average rate on the
Central Pacific was less than Two cents per
mile, while the rates on Eastern roads ara
less than one cent
Mr.. Head claimed that for four miles 60
cents are charged, while for a route OF forty
nine miles the charge is 81 -.
Mr. johnson stated that the gross income
was 1905, III. The expenses were 1910 1894,
leaving 1884, M net profits for one year on
a capital of So, 7S4 co.,
Mr. Geary thought that the cost Of the
road was 81, 9UU, OUO.
Mr.. johnson gave the items OF the cost OF
construction, which showing brought the cost
up to 81 100000.
Mr.. Head asked how it was that over two
routes the rate over the longer was greater
thanStver the shorter.
MI Gesry pointed out the fact that the
rate for one distance of fifteen miles was
three times as great as for route twice as
long.
Mr. Bloom said that the local rates are SO
high that many people find it cheaper to
keep horse ana carriage to go TO certain
places than to pay railroad rates
The Board then made ar :angements for
holding meetings in Santa Rosa valley, when
those having complaints TO make or informa-
ton TO give can appear. The times and
places fixed are as follows: Santa Rosa,
February 9th Healdsburg, February 9 I'll;
Cloyerdsle. 7Lh Guerneville, 9th.