The record-union., 1893-01-05
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECORD-UNIoN.
SAN Francisco, Jan. 1.-The EueRing
Post this evening prints the following re-
port of the proceedings of the Railroad
Commissioners held in this city to-day:
The members of the Commission were
promptly on hand at their Office at 10
o'clock this morning ready to go on with
the Shively investigation. Attorney J.
C. Martin, representing the Southern
Pacific, was also in attendance, as was
Mr.. Richards likewise, the latter being
the legal representative Of the complain
ant, r. O. Shively. In fact everybody
concerned was present everybody ex-
cept very important witness. S.
Leeds, Traffic Manager of the Traffic
Association.
When the Shively case was last before
the commission Mr.. Leeds was on the
stand all day undergoing cross-eXamina-
ton at the hands OF Attorney Martin.
Such cross-examination was not con-
cluded, and it was therefore intended to
call Mr.. Leeds again to the stand the first
thing this morning.
But the Commissioners and attorneys
T "
not. Finally he was teleponed to and an
answer was received to the effect that he
could not possibly attend to-day, this
being the date for the monthly meeting
of the Executive Committee OF the Trai-
fc Association.
After some discussion it was decided to
postpone the further hearing of the
Shively case until next Wednesday
morning at 10 O'clock.
Then the Commissioners passed to
other matters, and Chairman Rea pre-
sented the following preamble and reso-
luton, which he asked to have adopted,
also desiring that copies be sent to the
Legislature:
"WHEREAs, the Legislature Of the
State is at present in session; and, where
as, the State Board of Railroad Commits
sioners have. for the past several months,
been frequently and publicly assailed by
| the Traffic Association Of California
through its manager, J. S. Leeds, and
have been charged with dereliction of
/ duty and with subserviency to railroad
interests, and the personal integrity of
/ its members also attacked; and, whereas,
| said Manager Of the Traffic Association,
after vainly trying to commit this board
| to illegal methods Of railroad regulation,
| has widely published and announced
! officially that it was the purpose Of the
| Traffic Association to have the Railroad
! Commission abolished by the present
| Legislature; and, whereas, now that the
| Legislature is in session the said Traffic
! ~
the Legislative Committee to have sud
denly abandoned its boasted purpose t.
abolish this commission; and, whereas,
this commission believes that it has
/ honestly performed its duty and pro-
| ceeded in the only legal manner to the
solution of the transportation problem in
| California; and, whereas, this commits
/ sion is and for several months past has
been engaged in an investigation of the
subject of railroad freights and fares in
! the case OF r. O. Shively VS.. The
/ Southern Pacific Company; and, where
as, during all the hearing of this case this
commission and its members have been
constantly and, as we believe, dis
| honestly assailed by the said J. 5. Leeds,
as Manager Of the Traffic Association,
and by certain of the newspapers of the
| State openly known as the organs OF
| said Traffic Association, some of which
have even attempted to levy blackmail
upon the omplainant in this case; and,
whereas, this commission believes that
the age of demagoguery is past in Cali
fornia, and that the dishonest assaults
upon public boards engaged in doing
| their legal duty by hired and high-priced
managers of such private bodies as the
Traffic Association is proper subject OF
ventilation; and further, we believe an
! investigation of the present and past
official action of the Railroad Commission
would be eminently proper, in view ol
the assaults upon it; therefore, be it
! "Resolued, That the State Board Of Rail
road Commissioners insists upon and
urges the Legislature to make such in
vestigation during its present session, and
for that purpose suggests that a legislative
committee be selected from the member,
of both houses, and irrespective of party
such committee to be composed of honest
men, above and beyond any suspicion
of railroad afliliation, influence or con.
troll, which committee shall attend thu
| present sessions of the commission dur.
ing the pending inquiry into railroad
charges and thoroughly inform itself anC
the Legislature as to the integrity anC
ability Of the Railroad Commission, anC
also advise the Legislature upon the sub
iect of railroad regulations. and thu.
share with the commission the response