Western Kansas world., 1888-01-07

man. Bon fought stsly, snd II ~
tWeutieth md last round Dugan was apain
knocked down. and failing to rise IA fen 49,
sonds, tho battle was declded IN fator of
Harding. Both men were seriously nun
ished s''-A1r
Pacific Railroad Commissionsrs' Report.
WASHINGTON, d. O., December 3O.-Two
reports have been submitted to the president
"a majority report by Messrs. Anderson and
Iittler, and minority report by Mr.. Pat
tison. The majority report submitted by
Messrs. Anderson and Littler reached the
conclusion that the branches and the main
and that through their union they represent
vastly greater earning power than they
would if dismembered. The history of the
Union Pacific railway, as developed in the
second part of the report, it is claimed,
''shows that its assets have been in former
years largely misapplied, and that its inan-
cial ability to meet its. just obligations has
been largely impaired by the action of men
who held 6duciary relations to the corpora
tion." As to the Central Branch road the
report says:
"The Central Branch of the Union Pacific
extends from Atchison to Waterville, Kan
sas, a distance of 160 miles. Its cost was
$2,OO4 900, and its annual earnings S341 COO
Its bonded debt is $3.50, 600, and the net
amount of government obligation is s., 249,
6S4. To pay this, the committee propose a
mortgage under which $113, $50 shall be
paid annually for ten years, and 1900
annually thereafter until the whole debt
is paid"
As to the financial operations of
the Union Pacific company, the com.
mittee refers to the management of Mr..
Gould and his directors in undertaking
to release them selves from liability
and obligations by their own acts, and
rates it as somewhat extraordinary. The
methods employed by him to terrify
directors to a submission to his plans, are
discussed in a manner not to Mr.. Gould's
credit as reputable railway manager. As
q contrast to such management The commit
tee refers to the conservative, energetic and
intelligent management of the Central D.
ciic company with great minuteness and
severe criticism.
Replying to the question as to whether
money or other valuable consideration had
been paid for influencing legislation the
report says moneys of all of the bond aided
roads, have been so used, but adds that
there is no direct proof that actual bribery
was resorted to. The majority report
presents in form a bill to adjust the indebt-
edness of the four roads, all of them being
given as q sample. This bill, after provid-
ing for reasonable computation of the
present Indebtedness of the company to the
government, provides for the execution of q
mortgage to cover the entire property of
the company and its auxiliary companies,
branch lines, lands, etc." which mortgage
shall be held by two government trustees
as security for the payment of the entire
debt, principal and interest.
The minority. report submitted by Mr..
Robert E. Pattison, chairman of the COM
mission, differs somewhat as to the conclu-
sions of fact, and entirely as to the methods
of adjusting the differences with the railroad
companies. The report is severe arraign-
ment of the Pacific companies in many par
ticulars. The roads are charged with de-
stroying their records, throwing every con-
ceivable hindrance before the committee in
their work, of determinations, frauds, etc.
Mr.. Patterson in his report says: :s'There is
only one course open to congress, and that
is an immediate winding up of the affairs of
ment to withdraw at once from all connec-
tion with the running of railroads or shar-
ing in the profits of their management.
There ought to be an end to the partnership
between the government and railroads; q
speedy and absolute divorce" Continuing
in his report in regard to this matter Mr..
Patterson says that the testimony shows that
the payment OF the debts in 1895 and 1897 is
impossible. That "upon forfeiture the ap-
pointment of receiver should be applied
for, to provide for the immediate settle
ment of the governments debt. Concluding
his report, Mr.. Pattisen recommends that
suit be brought against each man who has
violated his trust, and favors the settlement
of the governments connection with the
roads as soon as possible. !,