The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-09
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The Hearing of the Defense Begun
by the Committee.


SACRAMENTO, Feb. S.-The special Sen
ate Committee appointed to investigate the
Railroad Commissioners met In the Senate
chamber this evening. There were present
MCGOWAN chairman. Earl. Seymour. Ma
honey. OstrOm, Seawell and Goucber. The
three members of the Railroad Commission
were also present
After holding an executive session for the
purpose Of determining the course OF pro-
cedure. McGowan read the concurrent
resolution removing the Commissioners,
also the resolution providing for the APP
pointment Of the investigating Committee.
Commissioner Rea stated that as Commits
si0Der Lichheld's presence in San Fran
cisco was necessary owing to sickness in his
family, the others had agreed to let him be
heard first.
Liichfeld was then called to the stand.
and IN defense said that he began to study
rates and came 10 the belief that il would be
impossible for the commission to make a
general reduction of the tariff within their
term of Office and so the best method would
be to take up specific eases. The first case
was on the POterville branch, where the
commission made 2 reduction Of per cent
on live stock and per cent on wool. against
the protests of both Swan and Gray. who
said they had lost $4,000 the year previous
on this branch.
1.-THE experience OF thu commission In
this case and others" said he, was that
little could be done without specific COM
plant. The commission went south and in
viied complaints from the people, but very
few came in. Every complaint that has
been made to the commission since / went
into Office has been looked into and we have
done great deal of good"
He described his first meeting with Mr.,
Leeds and said he had offered to right any
wrongs and cultivate his acquaintance to
learn If there should be any changes. The
very first communication which Leeds sent
the board was an insult and each one there
after was worse. so that the commission
finally refused to receive these documents.
He believed Leeds idea was 10 get up a
quarrel for political or other reasons.
Mr.. Litchfeld gave an account of the
complaint of r. G. Sheath about ice rates.
He wanted the same rates all over the
State as the Southern Pacific Company had
between Truckee and San Francisco. This
was given him, but he was dissatisfied and
wanted rates which even Mr.. Leeds said
were unfair. When lie joined the Traffic
Association these rates were then all right
He said that Mr. Leeds used deceit or
lies according to which served his purpose.
He was going to subsiantiate this, when
Chairman McGowan cut him short. The
witness had told Leeds that unless the
commission took evidence no rate they
might fix would hold. This view was sub
sequently upheld by the United States Dis
trct Court. AS to the charge OF ineom-
potency, it would hold better IL the board
had Endorsed the Leeds amendment.
In answer to questions, he said that be-
fore he became Commissioner, he had had
an agreement with the railroad to furnish
uniforms TO their men, but this cid not pre-
vent him from doing his duty.
Commissioner Rae was next sworn and
testified: II have been a Railroad Com
missioner for ~ years. / will put in my
reports as evidence | have no apologies.
Our regulation of freight and fares was a
plain proposition. 1t was necessary to get
at the cost OF the railroads. 1t was idle 10
try to fix rates without this basis and this
we had found impossible to obtain, although
1t was my desire always to get this informa-