The morning call., 1892-12-17
1T is A FARCE.
rIr. Leeds Opinion of the
ShiveIy Case.
1T ORIGINATED WITH REA.
Evidence Only Taken Favorable to the
Southern Pacific and Against
the Public.

'Tt will be fourteen years on January /
since the Railway Commission was estab-
lished to protect the public Interests in the
matter of railway rates. and.in all that time
ii has practically done nothing" said Traffic
Manager Leeds yesterday.
"Rea has held the position OF Commits
sioner for six years now, and, as his second
term will soon expire. he apparently thought
1t was about time he made some pretense of
doing something so as to get third term.
Accordingly he got up this complaint by
ShivelY, but its object is too transparent to
blind peoples eyes.
IF the Commissioners had been in earnest
they would have submitted a lower tariff
Of rates, thereby placing the railroad people
on the defensive and compelling them to
prove their case that the tariff is not ex-
cessive.
''But instead Of that they are taking
evidence only that has no bearing whatever
upon what they, as a commission represent
ing the public interests, should insist upon
knowing and the public are placed upon the
defensive.
THE people of this State are away behind
other States in their knowledge OF the work
ings of railroad systems.
They are in entire Ignorance of the
methods Of the Southern Pacific Company (;
they are in entire ignorance OF the CON-
pany'S operating expenses and they are in
entire ignorance of the tariff
Even if they did understand the tariff,
there are so many rules and conditions gov
erning it that it would be utterly impossible
for them to know just what is what
The public is entirely at the mercy of
the railroad company, and have 10 paw,
whether willing or unwilling, just whatever
rates the company CHI ooses TO levy upon it,
1T is all nonsense 10 say that this inves-
tigstion is being held for the purpose of
having the Southern Pacific rates lowered
A sufficient answer To such a statement is
the simple fact that no evidence is being
sought TO show that the railroad tariff is too
high, but, on the contrary, all the evidence
possible is being brought forward 10 show
the other way.
''The attorney for the Southern Pacific is
trying to break me down, but he won't sue
coed. He is careful not 10 ask me any ques-
tons that would tell against the interests of
his clients.
"Rea. with his six years experience on
the commission, should have been perfectly
competent TO Judge Of the condition of affairs
in the State without calling In expert MOI
gan or anybody else.
About Morgans report? Well, / think
enough has been said about ii already. My
opinion of IL is well known.
IF you or had made complaint instead
OF Shively the commissioners would have
carried on the investigation just as they are
doing and dragged it along to an intermin-
able length.
The Traffic Association was organized TO
fight the Southern Pacific wherever and
whenever possible. We have TO fight them
IN politics as means 10 an end just as in
anything else. And we are keeping up the
right as well as We know how.
The Southern Pacific has been In politics
almost from the first AS prominent mer-
chant remarked 10 me the other day. the
railroad was conceived in politics, was born
In politics and will die In politics.
so far as fighting IL In politics Is con-
cerned we DO not carry on the warfare out
side Of the State, but within the State we
intend 10 carry ii on vigorously"
Talking about politics, isn't there some
trouble IN the association on that score Just
now? was asked.
well" said Mr.. Leeds, IAN ex-member
Of the executive COMMITTEES, because he was
not reelected, has been endeavoring 10
cause disturbance, but it will have no
effect upon the internal affairs OF the asso-
citation.
His action hasn't sprung from desire
TO benefit the association. but purely
through spite in being dropped from the
executive committee, aud will not cause the
slightest trouble"