The morning call., 1892-06-28

ing. lie is a quiet, dignifed, elderly gentle
man, and when he was formally introduced
he said that he had nothing new to say.
His terms, il the commission should choose
to employ him, would be the same as those
he has been in the habit Of charging for
that kind Of work on other occasions in
other States.
On the request Of Commissioned Itch
field, Secretary Kelly read printed circular
letter which contained fiatterinG comments
on Colonel M0rgan'S work as an expert from
various Eastern corporations. and state
ments 20 the effect that be Is a competent
railroad civil engineer a former friend OF
Abraham Lincoln and at one time was
railroad and warehouse commissioner In
Illinois.
Colonel Morgan, upon being questioned
as to what amount of money he thought
would be required TO carry Oh the proposed
investigation, was non-commlttal lie SIM
ply answered that the expense In such mat
tiers is entirely regulated by the scope the
inquiry takes and the facilities on hand Tor
its proper pursuance.
Commissioners Rea informed all those to
whom he had not talked previous 20 the
meeting that he had investigated the mat
ter Of expense and that he now estimated
the amount needed to be from $4,000 to
$4,000.
Commissioner Beckman wanted some in
formation. lie said that he had not heard
of this business until few minutes before
the meeting and that he had not been able
70 inform Himself sufficiently to vote ntelli-
gently on the question Of employing an eX-
pert or mourning any such large expense as
had been indicated.
Mr.. Beckman wanted to know what right
the Commissioners had to take any such
proceedings.
Mr.. Rea produced a copy Of the act which
created the Railroad Commission in $780, and
BIZ reading several sections convinced Mr..
Beckman that the board has q right to do
as Il peases in the premises, provided the
Legislature makes the necessary allowance
to cover the expenses incurred.
1t was then decided TO authorize President
Rea and Secretary Kelly 10 engage Colonel
Morgan as an expert, but that they should
consult the Governor, the AttOruey-Gen-
eral and tie Board Of Examiners first to
ascertain their views as 10 probability OF
obtaining the funds needed.
Commissioner Beckman, after this matter
had been disposed Of. rose To ask that the
personal illusions concerning j. :. Leeds,
the manager Of the Traffic Ass oclati0n, he
had made IN a communication to the board
three weeks ago, be stricken from the
record.
WHY BECBAfAN RETRACTED.
As an explanation for this request Nj.
Beckman merely stated that he had con-
sidered the matter and had come to the
conclusion that personalities should not be
introduced in any official document.
Chairman Rea ordered that Mr.. BE ckman
be allowed TO amend the record a. lie de-
sired, but when Mr.. Rea was asked to re-
move all the personal remarks he himself
had made from the commissions minutes
| he objected and declared that anything he
said shall remain on record, claiming that
be had nothing to take back.
A communication was received and imme-
diately ordered on file without being read.
Ii was a letter from Tariff Manager Leeds.
containing the comparative table Of grain
freight rates IN Kansas and in California
which was published in The CALL Of Satur-
day.
Mr.. Leeds was present at the meeting,
and just before an adj aurnment Commits
siOneT Beckman, who had not seen the let
ter on file, expressed a surprise that the
traffic manager had not sent IN a cOmmuni-
cation.
Il guess you will find one If you look for
It." said Mr.. Leeds, wheTeupOn the chair
man Informed Mr.. Beekman that a letter
had been received and placed on file.
"Ail right" said the Sacramento Commits
sioneT, Il Will study it at my leisure" And
that was all that was done about the matter.
John L. Richards of San Jose was pres
ent and announced himself as the attorney
for Shively. Secretary Kelly did not like
Mt. Richards introduction, and therefore
he demurTed by saying, Mr.. Chairman,
there is no attorney on record, and this man
is only a notary public" but Mr.. X chards
was nevertheless allowed the privilege 10
say what he had come to express.
1t appeared from Mr.. Richards remarks
that ne desired only TO urge the board TO
delay the hearing of the complaint no
longer than absolutely necessary. Mr..
Shively. it seems, had Instructed his aitor-
ney 10 hurry matters as much as possible
The latter wanted notices sent to ali the
railroad companies to file complete sched-
ules OF their rates, so that they may be used
during the investigation.
The board granted this request, and the
secretary was instructed TO make demand
| for such schedules on all such railroad conf
| panies whose rates are not already on file