The record-union., 1896-03-17
PACIFIC RAILWAYS.
The House Railroads Committee Con-
tinues It's Hearings.
No Member of Congress Will Live to
See the Day the Government
Would Go Into the Business.

WASHINGTON, March 16.-The
House Committee on Pacific Railroads
| to-day heard Representative Nickel
john of Nebraska, Perkins of Iowa and
Fletcher of Minnesota in support OF a
proposition looking to the construction
of q road from Sioux City to Norrn
Platte, to connect with the Pacific
roads
| Meikeljohn said that the original
plans providing for building the Pacific
railroad contemplated the construction
of this branch. The branch, however
had never been built. the claim being
made, but for which there was no
foundation, that the nature of the coun
try would not allow it. His proposition
was that in settling the debts of the
roads to allow $4,000,000 of the trust
funds accrued under the Thurman Act
to be invested in bonds to aid in the
| construction of this road.
He was asked if the Pacific roads
would not object to this.
! He replied that the Government had
the right to invest this fund in railroad
bonds. The construction of this con-
nection, he said, was one of the greatest
Importance to his section of the country.
In reply to a question by Powers OF
| Vermont, he said in case of foreclosure
the plan could hardly be carried out,
but if there was an extension or re-
organization he wanted the committee
| to carefully consider the interests he
had presented.
| Johnson of California thought the
proposition could be made a part of any
| organization scheme.
Perkins indorsed what Meikeliohn
had said. In settling matters pertain
ing to the Pacific railroads he wanted
Congress to improve it's opportunity
and to right the great wrong which had
been done to the section referred to.
Fletcher asked the committee to care
fully consider the claims presented in
forming a plan for settlement. He did
not think any member of Congress
would live to see the day that the Gov
ernment would go into the railroad bus
mess.
The committee adjourned until to-
morrow.
y MISSOURI CONGRESSMAN BILL
| WASHINGTON, March 16.-Hubbard
Of Missouri, a member of the Committee
on Pacific Railroads. has prepared a bill
looking to the settlement of the indebt-
edness OF the Pacific roads.
The measure directs the Secretary of
the Treasury to ascertain the actual
amount due the Government by the
roads UP to and including July 1. 1896.
When this has been ascertained, he is to
/, demand of all roads to which subsidy
bonds have been issued that the bonds
be paid en- July 1 next. In case they do
not pay on the day named. he is to take
all their property. real and personal for
the benefit of the Government
On that day at l O'Clock he is to offer
the property for sale at the Treasury
Department. In case no one bids the
amount of the Government debt, the
Attorney-General is to bid it in for the
Government. In case. purchaser is
found, one-third of the purchase money
is to be paid within thirty days. and
the balance in ten years, an equal
amount each year In case the prop
erty is not sold, the President is to ap-
point three Government Trustees, after
which the employees Of the road are to
form an association and elect three
trustees to represent them. These trus-
tees are to manage the roads.
A portion of the earnings are to be set
aside for the benefit Of the employees.
and net profits are TO go toward the
| liquidation of the debts of the corpora
tions.
All public lands not patented nor sub
ject to patent granted the roads are to
be restored to the public domain