The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-04
BONDED ROADS.
Annual Report Of The Railroad Indebted
ness to the Government.

to the Secretary OF the Interior to-day The
report says of the railroad situation that for
the past year there has been an increase in
the gross receipts but a falling off in the net
earnings, owing to increased competition.
The net earnings of roads indebted to the
Government show a slight decrease over last
year. The roads are paying into the Treas
ury each year all that the laws require them
to pay. Full detailed statements are given,
showing the financial condition of the COM
panies and the gross and net earnings, re-
quirements, amounts paid in and total
amount OF the Government debt The
statements show the total gross receipts of
bonded roads for the year for which settle
nlents were made were SIS, 900. Inc
net earnings are Sc, 059, 600, the Government
requirement. 81, FAC. 600; paid in, S1.616, 000
The total debt of the bonded roads up to
December 81, 1890. amounts to Sl12. $4,000.
The increase in the debts of the bonded
roads is not owing to the failure of the COM
panies to comply with the laws. They pay
yearly all the laws require them 10 pay.
The trouble is that the percentage required
by the law to be paid do not create a sum
equal to the interest the Government mas to
pay on the subsidy bonds.
The Commissioner indOrses the policy Of
the Union Pacific in aiding the construction
of branch lines, which shall he tributary to
the main line. He says were it not for these
feeders the Union Pacific would yield no net
earnings whatever. and the property would
not be worth the amount of its first mortgage
bonds The Commissioner urges very
strongly. and at considerable length, the
great necessity for some action being taken
looking to n settlement between the bonded
roads and the Government.
Regarding this he said: II have little
doubt of the ability of tile principal bonded
roads to eventually meet all their obllga-
tions to the Government. But the sum of
these debts apparently are beyond the
possibility of payment in money at their
maturity. Some plan of refundng must be
devised in order to give them time. The
course of the Government should be that
which any practical business man wOnld
pursue with a private debtor in similar
situation
The Commissioner recommends the ap-
pOlntment of commission Of not over
three members, to be persons in the Gov
ernment employ, to consider the situation,
to copfer with the railroad companies, and
to report their conclusions to Congress. Ii
such an ad ustment could be agreed upon as
would secure to the Government the moneys
due, and not seriously affect the business or
credit of the railroads, or burden traffic and
hinder developments in sections tributary t.
them, the greatest public good would be ac-
complished. Surely the magnitude of the
interests involved in this cOntrOyersWmay
well command the early attention of Con-
gress.
THE sMUGGLED COOLIES CASES.
In regard to the application for pardon
made ON behalf of the Cinnamon convicted Of
illegally entering the country, the President,
before taxing action in the mater. requested
Acknowledgement Miller's opinion. The At
ninion of InI, 10Th idst Hioh Ia s ~ n'o o
~ VI ~ ttis "a" ~
is true that several Judges have decii
otherwise. among them being Judge Sv
mont. 10 reach such decision they
have been of the opinion that the &C
some part of ~ of September 18, 1888.
force, as | understand that the cases
before them by appeal under Section
that act. In my opinion no part Of THAI ae1
tirely disregarded the latest expression of
Congress on this subject as found in the Ap-
preparation Bill of August 80, 1890, and Of
1891. If that does not amount to decara-
ton by Congress that all Cinnamon found
unlaWluILy III tle = nlteg states are 10 De re,
turhe1 10 ohihd' IL Is ulincult u uuueIs'auu
why.
FOREIGN EXHIBITS FOR THE FAIR
A conference was held at the treasury
Department this afternoon III regard to the
customs facilities TO be extended to foreign
exhibitors at the Worlds Fair. The foreign
Commissioners expressed great gratIncatIGn G5i
over what they mad seen and heard at chi,
cage, remarkins that the places assigned
their countries were good ana spacious:
ne dienJ ioI tn9 ", o,,nsn
oi loiesh eAioits . weie IN III so;
ins.anGes at lne % t,,o noiii.it
d WIN VIC ,i ~ Frnic @
ts enty anu M pt u h 1nt oA
; ~ Ci .0. ,tSot;aa+io,, ~ oo,1 80
te4uto 49, az -.
tba exnasit;on hniIdns withont e4amination
or dalev
prNs1ovs cpANrrn
p,,;,,, 80 49, 'rontoI ~ - ,ho foro,r
enSLotS nav oIeh - w 'ie paosa
iohn KsbI MichaeI Crane Robert w Nc,
Ouilkin. Jose Antonio Cordero, Adney d.
Merriam. Robert Il. CIemeas, John Glindon,
Richard +. Morgan. James s. Chambers.
William p. Tucker, Timothy Murphy,
Daniel McNlehol, Robert L. Erwin, george
L. Nlk0lal. William w. CampDells, Mar