The record-union., 1893-01-27
WITHOUT 4 HEARING.
Icoxr1NUED FROM FIFTH pAoE.]

CONTINUED FROM FIFTH PAGE.l
calling on the best of the community to
devote their business capacity to further
the enterprise, not for the purpose OF
money speculation but to save the homes
of those villagers from coming down
about their ears; to prevent the enter
prlsing members of the village from NOV
ing away to other places for homes.
With tnat end in view they selected as
one of the Board of Directors one of the
attorneys of Yreka, and the others were
the best business men of the town.
The company was organized and right
Of way secured, and the road built with
the assistance of the townspeople who
contributed about 800 0O0 in cash and 60
ing in debt about $4,000 more. That
Board of Directors has served from the
organization of the corporation to the
present time, and notwithstanding we
have had some complications, we have
never paid $3.50 for attorneys fees from
that date to this. The Board of Directors
have contributed its services, and from
the commencement 1t has been great
expense to them. Those are the clrcum-
stances under which the road was built"
MIR. ellis said that none of his people
had ever appeared before the Legislature
before, but this bill compiled them to
come here; that If II was passed il would
cause his engine and carhouses to become
empty and deserted barracks, it would
destroy the property, and to large ex-
tent destroy the homes that the property
was built to save, for by the bill IL was
found that for passenger rates they were
allowed but z cents per mile, and, with
the consent OF the Legislature, ) cents,
while at the present time they are charg-
ing S cents. For freight rates the bill
would allow but b, and A cents, while
at present they were charging y cents.
And with these rates Of charges and this
service on the part OF the directors and
managers the road never paid a dollar,
and they never expected it would; that it
was only with the utmost effort they
could pay expenses.
lie stated that Notwithstanding his
road was not included in the class earn
ing $1,000 gross earnings per annum they
still objected to the bill as it stands at
present. That if the bill should become
law giving the Legislature power to fix
rates Of freights and fares, bills would be
constantly coming requiring the presence
OF some Of his directors here all the time
TO lookout for their interests. There
would necessarily be many complaints
from both railroads and others in regard
TO rates; changes, alterations and modi-
tications would be constantly requested.
They were not able to send a represent
ative here and keep watching the affair
all the time to see that their interests
were not sacrificed. He also objected to
the bill because he considered that the
bill if it should become part of the funda-
mental law would deal with a subject of
this character as it should be dealt with.
That the Hon. Senator who introduced
the bill and whose name is APPENDED to it.
in speaking to the committee, said he
would hesitate before he would chance a
bill of this character or placing in that
bill limit beyond which the Legislature
could not go. BE asked that the matter
be most carefully considered. The men,
bers were not here as representatives of
the railroad companies, but OF the people
Of the State OF California, whose sworn
duty 1t was to look out ior their interests.
And if the author of the bill was unwill-
ing to chance the bill without fixing in
the constitutional amendment a clause
beyond which they cannot go, he asked
most careful consideration of the propo-
sition. While they cannot make them
go beyond cents for hauling passengers,
they may make them haul for / cent.
In other words there should be a saving
clause for the railroad companies as well
as for the people of the State.
He considered the cost OF construction
should be taken into account in fixing the
rates for ireights and fares, but the bill
merely classified into two classes, those
earning over $1,000 per mile, and those
earning less, making no provision for the
costly operations of roads having streams
t. cross which OverfiOwed in winter 9TH
ers having heavy mountain grades, but
Classifying all alike, whether valley or
mountain roads, taking only the gross
earnings into consideration. He submit
ted for the consideration of the commit
tee whether or not this Act became law.
ne desired to say for his own railroad
company that, in his humble Judgment. it
would be unfortunate for the railroads of
the State, and also for the Legislature of
the state, which latter for years has pro-
1essedly been trying to keep the railroads
out OF politics, an now they not only in
Vlte but absolutely command the railroad
companies within the State to come for.
Ward and hold sessions semi-annuallv Il
would inject the unhappy state of affairs
IN regard to our political machinery OF
bringing back, with all the unfortunate
circumstances surrounding it, not only
one railroad, but all the railroads within
the state, and necessarily forcing and
keeping them there.
The business would be better conducted
by commission who would fairly and
conscientlously perform their duties. bet
ter by commission of three five or a
smaller number who have a special
knowledge of the subject, much better
than by 10 men coming together semi
annually ana only having sixty days to
perform the duties
Considering all the complications
thrown around the business of freights
and fares, II was good deal more than it
could do in sixty days so as to stand the
test of two years following. With his
own road, while the smallest in the State.
and with least complicated interests. the
Board of Directors met every month, In
their monthly meetings they take into
consideration, certainly every few
months, the rates ard fares, and there
was 90 time yet they did not make some
alterations, notifications or changes OF
the rates of freights and fares; they were
absolutely required to make changes
every few months. How would if he
possible for the Legislature, with all the
complicated ramiticatlons of all these
vast roads, to enter into the duties and
perform them as we'll as they should be
done? The above he respectfully sub
mltted TO the consideration of the COM
mittee.
Burke-What is the length of your
road2
Gillis-Little short Of eight miles.
Ntuestlon-N hat is the gross earnings?
wer-Gross receipts per mile. 81 500
u. y. Bender, OF the Carson and Colo
rado Railroad, followed Mr.. Gillis.
Mr.. Bender said: The Carson and COL
oIaqo Runway company is a corporation
OF the state of California; operates a line |
OF narrow-gauge railroad starting from
lis connecting point on the Virginia and
Iruckee Railroad in the State OF Nevada |
ana down 10 keeier on Owens Lake in |
luyo County, California, a distance of !
- miles, to which point it was built in |
1855. one hundred and eighty-five miles |
OF the line is in Nevada and los in CaI- |
1ornia.
This railroad property was bonded at
the rate of Sl5,003 Tor each mile OF road
constructed, calling for Si,3S0000 in |
bonus Tor -93 miles, the same bearing Il |