Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-08-29
4oD rAYLoR's OFFICE

fhe appointment of western man as
United States commissioner of railroads,
and especially 4 man so well known in
Inc north west as Hon. ii. A. Taylor,
of Hudson. Wis, naturally creates an
interest 10 the office and its functions.
When the law first passed creating the
place the officer was known as auditor
If railroad accounts. 1t was afterwards
changed to commissioner, though the
duties were almost the same. The COM
missioner auditS the accounts of all
land grant railroads and railroads which
receive money or other aid from the
United States This, of course, includes
nearly all the western roads, or at least
some portion of them. Mr.. Taylor
counts them by pulling from his pocket
stack of passes, about seyenty-five in
all, which would carry him free over
ever line of road west Of Chicago. The
Pacific roads which were aided by the
issuance Of bonds and other lines built
upon the credit of the government are
the lines most carefully looked after by
The commissioner. All the grant roads
are obliged to make full reports of all
business to the commissioner, but the
subsidy roads are obliged to notify the
commissioner of every meeting of the
stock holders or directors, stating the
object Of such meeting, and make re-
port of the proceedings to his office.
Several of the lines pay q certain per-
centage OF earnings into the govern
ment treasury. To these lines the gov
eminent pays nothing for the transport
tation Of troops. carrying the mails or
any other service The accounts for
snch service are audited by the COM
missioner and deducted from the per-
centage due the government
In the commissioners office there are
expert hookkeepers to examine the ac-
counts and books of the companies.
There are also expert engineers who ex-
anime the road-beds and bridges of all
roads under the commissioner iuris
diction, but more attention is paid to
those lines which pay percentage of
earnings The roads naturally desire
ses. rs that would keep down the
amount duethe government. 1t is these
features that the commissioner is espec-
ially called upon to look after
The first ease Of Importance which
Mr.. TAYLOR has taken hold of is that of
tho Union Pacific This road turns in
an account Of -. 125 900 paid for rolling
stock. but Mr.. Taylor asserts that it
does not own any part of the rolling
Stock. The road has issued a trust
bond for the stock and the entire equip
ment is owned BY 4 trust company in
New York AS this road pays 25 per
cent of its earnings to the government.
the reported expense would make q
difference OF over 100000. The COM
missioner says it is time enough to de-
duct this sum when the money is paid
Tor the rolling stock, and the contract
with the trust company does not expire
Tor ten years He has already begun
proceedings to compel the road to pay
The amount or show better legal grounds
why il should not be paid. The Office of
commissioner of railroads is bureau
af the interior department. and is Separ-
ate and distinct from the interstate COM
merce commission, although often con-
founded with that body. Since Mr..
raylor has been in office he has removed
trom the cramped and dingy quarters
on the second floor Of the pension office
To large and airy rooms on the third
floor of the same building He has APP
pointed several new men and promoted
Others he found in the office Several
of his engineers and expert bookkeepers
are visiting various railroad offices and
preparing matter for the next annual re-
port. The railroads are compelled to
furnish transportation TO the commits.
sioner and Ia til, men in his employ II
ii a man has taste for travelling he is
Given an opportunity 10 crafty it as
commissioner of railroads, but Mr. Tay-
lor saws the work OF the office will con-
fine him rather closely for some time,
although before his, term expires
be expects To uSe some passes. Wash
inoton Despatch TO State Journal.