The record-union., 1893-02-06
BECKMAN'S STATEMENTS.
The Railroad Commissioner Talks Very
Freely and Plainly
About Mr.. Leeds and Rates of Fares
and FreIghts in California and Else
where-His Estimate of Leeds.

Railroad Commissioner William Beck
man of this city was cornered by a
RECORD UNION representative on Satur-
day in a chat concerning charges or
statements made by j. S. Leeds OF the
San Francisco Traffic Association that
reflect upon the board of which Mr..
Beckman is a member. A number OF
explicit questions were propounded with
view of drawing the Commissioner out.
He was frank and free in his expressions
and produced number of extracts from
the official report of the board to affirm
his statements. Mr.. Beckman, having
unlimbered and freely responded, the
questions and answers were taken for
publication, Mr.. Beckman affirming
that what he said to the reporter was
accurately and specifically correct, and
that he was prepared to maintain every
statement made.
Question.-Mr. Reckman, when did j.
). Leeds first make his appearance in
California?
Answer.-As near as 1 remember, it was
the forepart of the year 1892.
Odd he ever have any con-
sultation with the Railroad Commission
ers at that time?
Ayes. He used to meet with
us every Monday. Mr.. Rea introduced
him TO me, as he and Mr.. Rea had had
some conference about freights and fares.
The commission received him in cordial
way, as we looked upon hlm as a gentle
man that could give us some informa-
ton about traffic in California. The first
lew times our conversations were more
of a social character, but one Monday
morning he came in and suggested that
we should make a uniform passenger
rate in California, the same as they had
in nearly all the States of the Union, viz:
three cents per mile.
Q.-What did you say to that?
A.-Well, finally told Mr.. Leeds that
he had not looked into the geography OF
nor the peculiar situations that railroads
are in in California. He said that three
cents a mile worked in Illinois, Missouri
and Iowa and nearly all the Atlantic
States, and he thought it would be good
thing TO make uniform rate in Califor-
mia of three cents per mile. l finally in
formed him that from San Jose to San
Francisco the rate was only two and a
half cents per mile; from Sacramento to
San Francisco q Jhree-cent rate would
make it 81 20, while the rate now is only
81 so; that from Redding to San Fran
cisco the rate was less than three cents;
that from Bakersfield to San Fran
cisco the rate was less than three cents;
that from Santa Margarita, Monterey and
Santa Cruz to San Francisco the rate was
less than three cents; from San Jose to
San Francisco the rate was less than three
cents, and in case we should make it a
three-cent rate in the State of California
that the people of San Jose would GER
tainly hang MIR. Rea, and | was satisfied
that the people of Sacramento would tar
and feather me. as at the present time we
have a second-class train from Sacra-
mento to san Francisco where the rate is
only 81 90 for ninety miles and S2 90 first
class.
Odd you tell him about rates on
roads of special character?
Al told him that the Railroad Com
missioners had established the rate on the
Nevada Narrow-Guage Railroad at ten