The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-02-26
A NEW RAILROADBILL
The State to Own and Control the Rail-
roads, Backed by the United
States.
Ben Clover, an Alliance Congressman
OF Kansas the PrOmulgatOr of
the Scheme.

In a special FROM Washington to the
Topeka Capital of February 20, we
find the following bill introduced by
Congressman Clover, an | enti,led
"a bill increasing facilities for Trans
portation by railroads and waterways"
He proposes by this bill to have Kan
sas, and in fact all states, go into the
railroad business-construct, equit and
operate its own roads, or if necessary
buy railroads already in operation, the
whole business to be done under the
direction Of the state board of railroad
commissioners His bill provides that
for the purpose of building new roads
or buy old roads the state may issue its
bonds to the United States not to ex-
coed 10 per cent of its assessed taxable
valuation, the bonds to bear interest nc
the rate of 8! per cent, payable semi
annually at the treasury of the United
States.
The bill then contains these provis-
ions:
Section 4, That upon the issue and pres
entatlOn Of any bonds provided for IN this
! act, the treasurer Of the United States shall
! deposit them in the vaults of the United
States, for sufe-keeping, and they shall be-
come the property of the United States, and
in payment therefor the treasurer shall
issue United States treasury notes for the
full face value Of such bonds, and the money
SO issued shall be placed to the credit Of the
state, to be paid on demand Of Its legally
constituted agent or agents.
Section b. That the fund derived from
the bonds so issued and deposited with the
treasurer Of the United States shall be pay
able into the treasury OF the state so ssu-
ing, and shall be used in the construction
and equipment Of railroads and improve
ment of waterways within the limits OF the
state. Such construction or improvement
shall be under the supervision Of the rail-
road commissioners, or other authorities
having the supervision Of transportation In
said state; Provided, that appeal may be
had from decisions Of such authorities To
the interstate commerce commission OF the
United States.
Section g. That all railroads constructed
from this fund shall be Of good material and
on approved modern methods; Provided
that In lieu Of constructing the proper an.
th0rities may purchase any railroad and
equipments, il IN their Judgment the best
Interest Of the state would be served hereby
at Il price not to exceed the actual cost O
construction and such equipments rs the
road so purchased may own: Provided
also, that such purchase shall be ratified by
act of the state legislature and approved by
the governor thereof Provided further
that the title to all roads constructed 0I
purchased under the provisions Of this ACT
shall be and forever remain In the gov
ernment Of the United States ind subject ID
the Use and control thereof whenever the
public good would be best served by such
use and control
Section 7. That the management and con-
troll OF the transportation OF such roads and
waterways as provided for In this act shall
be in the hands Of the authorities established
by the state, subject to appeal to the United
States transportation authorities, ana MI
charge for transportation upon such roads
or waterways shall be 80 adjusted that q
profit of not exceeding per centum OF
actual cost Of construction and equipment
shall be collected.
Section 8, That when two or more state
shall decide to build, equip and operate IN
teTstate connecting or continuous lines Thu
construction shall be In each state the SAM
as for lines wholly within the state, and tn,
business Of such roads shall be under TIT
management OF the interstate commerce
Provided, That not more than per centlln
profit on business be collected, as provided
for In this act.
Section o. That the profit arising from thu
business Of railroads provided for In thi
act shall be disposed Of az follows: First
sufficient sum be set aside for the puy
ment OF the interest to the United States ol
bonds deposited as security for construction
fund and the remainder shall be coYeret
into the treasury Of the state IN which tn
railroad Is situated. Second. Where inter
state or continuous lines are operated tn
profits, after paying the interest on bonds
shall be divided pro rata on u basis OF th
amount Of money each state has invested II
said continuous lines.
Section 10. That all treasury notes issue
by the United States in payment for tn
bonds OF the states as provided for In TIL
act shall be q legal tender for all debts pub
lie and private, except interest and princi
pal of such bonds Of the United States a
are by their terms made payable in coin.
Section If. That aI bonds provided for j
this act shall be issued ut such times and i
such denominations ns The state may direC
and shall be redeemable at the pleasure 0
the state, after five years, In any none
which by the laws Of the United Sthtes
made legal tender for debts.
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