The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-01
Stanton Anxious to Do Some
thing for the Salinas
Valley.
HE Is OPPOSED TO ALL DELAY.
Claims That His Attitude Has Been
MiSconstrued-Clark Votes
With La Rue.

road Commissioners yesterday, and noth-
ing was accomplished toward arriving at
decision on the La Rue resolution provid-
ing for horizontal cut of 10 per cent on
grain rates The railroad was not prepared
to submit its promised statement and the
entire session was devoted to argument on
the subjects of giving the railroad more
time and of taking up for action the Con
zales petition. Time was granted the rail-
road until Tuesday to prepare It's docu-
mentary evidence and it was decided to
defer all other matters till the La hue res
olution was finally acted upon.
When, a few minutes after 10 o'clock,
Chairman La Rue had raped the session
to order, he called for G. L. Lansing the
secretary and controller of the Southern
Pacific Company, who had promised to be
ready with full financial statement con-
corning the company. While Assistant Sec
retary Kelly of the Railroad Commission
was out seeking Mr.. Lansing, whom he
found in the hallway just outside OF the
office, Attorney Martin took the floor and
in behalf of the railroad company said:
We are not ready to go on as we desire. For
four days the general ONCE mas gwen us tine
TO matters connected with the investigation,
but it has other business that must also be at
tended TO. 1t must serve the pubic 1nlts regu-
lar way as well as in this matter. we oesire
before the investigation is over to present q
full and complete financial statement 10 the
commission. 1t will not delay matters In any
way by giving US time.
the statement which you propose TO present?
Martin-We shall give the earnings and hg-
ures relating to wheat and their relanon 10 me
other freight carried on the road, and what the
effect is of the wheat traffic on other COM
modities.
classification?
Martin-HardIy all the different commodities
carried.
wheat will be enough. 1t Will not be necessary
to go into minor details
Stanton-I think it is necessary to go into
minor details. | proposed before, when the
board met on Wednesday, to take up the Sa-
linas and San Joaquin valleys and adjust mat
tiers there, and am in favor of taking up these
propositions now. l wish to have general
/ desire to know about every class. We should
have the revenue for each different classifica-
ton. They keep their books in that way, and
we should have this information furnished
to US.
La Rue-You don't mean that they should
give US the quantity of vinegar ana other I'M
important commodities handled?
Stanton-No, sir. What mean is that they
shall furnish US with statement by classes
A, B, C, D, etc-not specified articles.
Martin-The commission has the r1gnt 10
say how the books shall be kept, and there is
nothing the commission wants that the rail-
road can furnish that it viii not submit
La Rue-I suppose Mr. Lansing's statement
will cover the whole ground. including revenue
from other commodities besides wheat.
notwithstanding to the resolution the
entire revenue of the company Will be aHected
by its adoption, and therefore the entire reve-
nue. of The company will be relevant.
Stanton-We know what the revenue from
all freight earnings is, and judging from other
years We might be enabled to arrive at some
conclusion. Lansing ought to have had his
statement ready. The company has had two
weeks to prepare. think Mr.. Lansing ought
nation necessary.
Martin-it depends on the commission
whether it will give US time to furnish all its
wants.
CIark-How much time do you want?
Martin-We would prefer to have until Tues
day. We can then do better justice to the COM
mission and to ourselves.
Clark-If you are given until Tuesday will
you be able 20 bring in the revenue and ton
mage of the different classifcations as
suggested by DR.. Stanton?
Martin-Mr. Smurr, must call on you to
answer this.
Smurr-I think we can provide what is
wanted then, and think we will be able to
develop something out of it. Since January,
1894, we have been working under the West
ern classification, and therefore have our &C.
counts for that year in the desired shape.
Stanton-Can you furnish similar figures for
1898?
smurr-No, sir; for we only began operating
under the Western classification in 1894.
Martin-How many commodity rates ere
there?
Smurr-There are about fifty articles pro-
duced or manufactured in California that are
sold outside OF the State. There are a FEW
things that are used only in the home market
such as cobbles and other Ilow-grade articles,
which would make the total number from
seventy-five to a hundred.
La Rue-Including special rates on grapes,
ETC.? o'i
smurr-Not special rates on grapes. These
go in with green fruit. But wine grapes have
become so large in volume that, beginning
with next year, we shall keep special account
of our wine-grape business. will take up the
matter with the bureau to-day and Will fur
nish the matter Monday, if it is wanted then.
Martin-Ihe commission might hear other
people on Monday if we are not prepared.
StaDton-Is Mr.. Lansing not prepared to
make any statement?
Martin-He is prepared to make some state
ment, but not full one.
La Rue-What is the pleasure of the board? .
Clark-Let it go over till Tuesday.
Stanton-I have been anxious to complete
this investigation. knew that the company
would ask time. We have given two weeks to
the company, and Mr.. Lansing should have
been ready. I have no desire TO force Mr..
Lansing but think he could furnish us with
wheat shipments and earnings and the figures
wanted regarding different commodities, so
that we could adjust at once the most import
ant determinations, and then take up the reso-
luton later. If, however, he will assure us
that everything will be ready by Monday, am
willing to have it go over until then. How
us with a complete statement OF the different
classificahons and the earnings from grain
shipments?
Lansing-That depends upon the condition of
the accounts. 1t might be done in day. ButMr
Smurr ought to have it to look over so as to be
able to make such explanations as may be
necessary, and to properly digest 1t will take
some time.
Martin-The only thing really before the
board is this resolution. The statement sug-
gested is away from this.
Stanton-I have no desire to have this inves-
tigation postponed from day to day. The in
vestigation will take four or five days. Before
new rate can go into force the company must
give twenty days notice, and the company
might want few days to examine the new
rates. l therefore want to take up the more
fragrant cases of discrimination. II the CON-
pany is given till Tuesday would like to take
up the regulation of rates in the San Joaquin
and Salinas valleys
La Rue-Being the author of the resolution
feel free to say that If the company can fur
nish statement in more comprehensive
manner have no objection to delay If we can
thereby get the figures in proper shape. The
figures requested by DR.. Stanton may help US
in other matters.
Clark-Yes Stanton's request will help us
to adjust rates. If we can get these figures by
Tuesday we ought to give them time. If mean
while we can take up these other matters men,
toned by Dr.. Stanton, we should go ahead
Stanton-Discriminations can and should be
regulated at any time. We should stay and
adiuSt diccrinoi nation + donit n We No