The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-02-14
HELMS RAILROAD BILL
Discussed in Committee at
Olympia.
IMPORTANT TO WASHINGTON

i IL l.
The Railroad Companies Not Ready and
Further Action Postponed for Two
Weeks To Fix a Rate Based on
Justice to All Interests.
OLYMPIA, WASH, February 5.-The
House Committee on railroads has con-
sidered the Helm railroad bill and Judge
Turner, representing the shippers, and
Attorney Burleigh of the Northern Pa
cific railroad appeared before it. Mr..
Burleigh asked for the postponement of
consideration of the bill. He said the
committee could only ascertain whether
the provisions of the bill were reason
able and just by going into the question
of all the facts, such as the cost and con-
struction, cost of maintenance and oper-
alton and the difficulties surrounding
railroad construction and operation in
this country. He was not ready to
present such evidence yesterday and
asked to have date fixed for further
hearing, when statement from the
banks of the company could be made or
the officers of the Northern Pacific
Company could be brought before the
committee. He believed the committee
should take the same position as court
and fix a rate based on Justice to all in
terests. The bill provided for hearing
in the Superior Court OF Spokane coun-
ty, he said, to determine as to the just
ness of the rates imposed in case the
railroads were dissatisfied. This was
unreasonable, for q road like the Oregon
improvement Com any at Seattle should
not be compelled to go to Spokane to at
tend court. The Legislature should de-
termine that question, and pass the bill
only if it were reasonable and based on
Justice.
Judge Turner opposed delays. The
question of reasonableness of rates was
important of course, but to 60 into that
would be to make it impracticable to
enact it into law before the Legislature
adjourned. The question of indebted
ness of road was factor in determin-
ing the profit to be allowed it, but the
indebtedness of the Northern Pacific
railroad was matter of public history.
1t was built under an extravagant man.
agement, and a majority OF the present
stockholders had charged that large
proportion of the bonded Indebtedness
had been materially increased by the
extravaganza of the managers. If the
cost were investigated, the extravaganza
must be also. The cost of operation was
another thing to look into, but in order
to find that it would be necessary to
look into the question whether it was or
was not extravaganza. In view of the
provisions of the bill the committee
should feel justified in acting on a
smaller amount of data than it would II
it were sitting as a court, for the bill
was arranged for the questions to be
settled in court, six months being al
lowed after the passage OF the act before
it should be enforced. Thus in court
all details could be investigated that
could not be taken up here. The peo-
pie of Eastern Washington were repre-
scented here by citizens and counsel, the
work had already been delayed by the
Senatorial contest, and naturally they
wanted the matter disposed of at the
earliest practicable moment.
Mr.. Burleigh replied that there had
been more or less contention in the
MOI thern Pacific Company as to the ex-
penditure of money. He admitted also
that the road was built in flush times
through a new and rough country.
Therefore, if the cost were not reason
able basis for the fixing of freight rates
it could be done by the appraisement OF
present values. The objection to that
was that it would have to be made under
a time of depression. He said it would
be unworthy the Legislature to rush
into an investigation of this question
hastily, for if law were passed that
was unreasonable and unjust, it would
fail, and the people would have no rates
for two years. He thought the informa-
ton could be placed before the commit
tee by the middle of February.
Judge Turner again objected to delay,
and said there were several other roads
interested besides the Northern Pacific.
1t would be impossible to investigate all
the roads in extenso. They had all been
aware for some time that relief would
be asked by the Legislature, and had
sufficient time to prepare and present to
the committee such information as it
desired to give.
Jesse w. George, representing the
Great Northern railway, was DESTROYS OF
having a chance to present facts and
figures before the committee and wanted
q delay of two weeks. Mr.. Burlelgh
said in order that no one should be put
out by the delay, he would, as far as he
could, furnish transportation to the rep
resentatives of the shipping interests in
Eastern Washington who would have to
return. Judge Bellinger of Colfax
hoped there would be no unnecessary
delay. He urged immediate legislation.
Representative Candy thought the Sem
ate and House committees should meet
Jointly and consider the bill. He there
fore moved that the committee meet
Thursday, February Z, to take the mat
ter up for final action.
Mr.. Burleigh explained that the rail-
roads could not furnish the information
desired by the 7th, and if it were desir-
ed to 90 ahead sooner than the 10th the
committee might as well proceed at
once. This was amended by Represent
alive Moore to make it the 10TH.
Judge Ruby of Colfax said II the mat,
ter were delayed two weeks it would
prevent the passage of the bill at this
session of the Legislature.
Candy and Moore agreed to fix the
date of hearing as the 18th of February
at 4 O'Clock P. M. Upon conference OF
the representatives of the Eastern Wash
ineton interests it was decided to con-
cede to Mr.. Burleigh's request, and the
hearing went over till the 10Th at 2
O'Clock P. NJ.