New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-15
A LEGISLATURES WAR ON RAILROADS
STRINGENT LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

A LEGISLATURES WAR ON RAILROADS
STRINGENT LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Columbus s. c. Dec. Il (speclaD.-The State
Legislature is evidently determined to take the bit in
its mouth and 81. down the railroads. The Senate
todae passed bill 70 regulate and restrict the rights
Of railroad corporations and individuals acquiring al
drional lines. II prevents railroads chartered IN
this State from buying selling out and also any
railroad company combination from consolidating
with railroads this State, except by special enact
rnent OF tho Legs ature. The Senate also passed
bill giving to the Railroad Commission the absolute
power to regulate the rates of freight and passenger
traffic with a proviso granting 10 railroads
the right 10 appeal TO the State courts In certain
cases.
Tho House passed a resolution nstructing the At
to institute legal proceedings to annul
the charter Of the Port Royal and Western Carolina
Railroad. which had been gobbed up by the Rich
mOnd and Danville system after the three couniles
OF Anderson Greenville and Laurens. through which
II passed, had subscribed nearly million dollars TO
m ndtS for any member Of the Legislature
accept deadhead pass over any railroad BON
70 Tadsfe The township railroad bonds declared IN
constitutional by the State supreme Court.
DIRECTING TO THE UNION PACIFIC BILL.
Lincoln. Neb. Dec. 14.-Ihe Attorney General of
this state is opposing the proposition made in Con
gress extend the time for the payment Of the Union
Pacific debt IN a communications TO the Governor he
alleges that the Union Pacific has taken by purchase
and condemnation proceedings large tracts Of valuable
land in the state outside of rights Of way granted
10 1t by Congress- and from this he argues that the
road should be amenable TO the State. Considering
the bill now pending in Congress TO extend the time
for the payment the debt of this road the Attorney
General after speaking of the great wrong which he
would be done to the people Of Nebraska by The
passage Of such an act says " If this debt should
ba rde1 will burden
ing the people Of this state. The only fair method
of solving this great Union Pacific problem IS for the
Government to order the road 10 be sold for cash.
Then the could control 1t, and allow such rates
for transportation will yield fair percentage its
cash value.'
PRESIDENT sTRoNGs PLAN TO STEADY RATES.
Chicago, Dec. l4.-When President Strong, Of the
Atchson, Topeka and Santa Fe, in Chicago, about
two weeks ago. he submitted TO the presidents Of the
various roads a plan for temporary agreement II
is designed TO secure absolute maintenance of
rates for period Of sixty days beginning January L
The unusual feature of the plan IS provision that
any subordinate officer OF any road that IS party 10
the agreement shah be found guilty of cutting rates
he shall be promptly Invested Of the rate-makinS
power The question of gull. in such cases IS to be
decided by a majority Of the PRESIDENT. The
agreement of course, will not be put into effect with
the assent Of the roads in interest and
there considerable doubt to whether they can all
be brought into line. Thus far the agreement has
Rock Island the Chicago and Northwestern and the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. The plan was sub
mitted TO President blackstone of the Chicago and
Alton, and while he has not absolutely refused TO
sgu IT, there is an impression that be Will
HEAVY SUITS AGAINST THE PENNSYLVANIA.
Philadelphia. Dec. IA (SpecaD.-R L. Wigton d
Sons the largest coal shippers this port have given
notice 10 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company that
they viii begin legal proceedings against that cor
poraton for alleged discrimination in freight charges
The complaint covers period Of seven years, and
the firms claim is for upward Of 100000. Messrs.
j. G. Johnson George NJ. Dallas and George L. Craw-
ford have been retained counsel by the firm. The
complaint that for the last years lower rates
from the Clearfeld region have been allowed other
coal shippers than the plaintiff The extra sum paid
with interest amounts between 800 900 and $780,
OOO The act emitting aggrieved shippers 10 triple
damages did not become effective until 1883 and
upon all shipments subsequent to that date the benefit
Of the law is taken. Among coal shippers here the
suit IS regarded with great deal Of interest, as it
is considered There are Arms and in
dviduals waiting 10 20 10 law with claims az
grecatng over 81 .OOO, 600. A verdict secured by
wigton will bring these suitOrs into court Besides
the threatened coal suits, the Pennsylvania has DOW
hand two important cases Of alleged discrllnar
suing for S147 600 both their suits being brought
under the Triple Damages clause. Officers of the
railroad company said to-day that the Wigion suit
would be fought TO the bitter end
ANNUAL REPORTS OF STREET-CAR LINES.
Albany. Dec. 14.-Annual reports made to Che State
Railroad Commissioners by New-York City lines fur
nish comparisons
SECOND AVENUE.
eros. earnings .......ss5s 6ss 10 ss75 5ssF os
Operating expenses -.-.-.-.-- 727452 4S G7295s 80
Other income $50 80 ga
Net income .---..-..---.----.---. 1909 is 9042o y