The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-02-01
rhE o. n AND \. oLn cLAIMs.

THE q. n AND y oLn CLAIMS.
; Matters ;hat Were Held in Ahcyanc,. IN
the Courts Now Almoat Ready Ia
Settle
( Mr.. J, q, Woodworth. assistant general
I managcr of the n Il. and n. Company.
7 with his wife, yesterday arrived In As.
I toria for a Few days visit Mr.. Wood
/ worth Is looking over the water lines OF
I the company, and incidentally taking a
short vacation from otilce work lie states
that affairs in Portland while nag IN amy
boom condition, and while values are de-
pressed, arr sun on a dru, hnsls, and that
( Il is anticipated that city will receive its
share OF prosperity and revival OF husi-
ness.
In speaking CT the subject of Interstate
commerce. the laws governing Il. and the
action OF courts relative thereto. Mr..
WoOdworth was emphatic In the state
ment that congress should certainly do
something towards settling the question.
and that some means certainly ought TO be
provided that would equally protect the
railroads with the public NO greater
calamity can happen TO any community
than to have It's principal railroads In n
state Of bankruptcy, and thrown into the
hands OF receivers The affairs Of the q.
X. and n. have been as well admInistcr-
ed under the court as any prop
erty could be- similarly situated. But
there are always matters in the adjust !
ment OF which a managers hands are 4
always tied when court has to be
consulted upon certain lines Of action. =
lie also thought that while the present .
Interstate commerce act Is not reApon-
sible for all the Ills OF railroads. vet IL 4
might be so amended ns 10 removs many
OF the present difficulties under which
the common carriers labor. as well ne
preserving ~ the same time the rights
and equities OF the public.
When asked by the reporter what he
thought of the recent decision of The
supreme court Of the United States In
the Northern Pacific receiyership matter
AR. Noodwnrth said: II think the de-
eision II an eminenty fair one. No mat
ter what mistakes were made or how
much better ahalrs might have been ad-
justed by some other court. yet the Wis
consin court. as being the one which arst
issued receivers instructions. and took
charge OF affairs, was entitled TO rccog-
milton as the court OF primary jurisdic- !
ton. In my opinion It would certainly
have been better to have left matters
IN charge or that court. the Other dis
,ricts cOncurring in It's action t:v a
line Of procedure. the nttorI,eys
md parties In interest have entailed
many large expenses upon the property. I
The action OF the supreme court, so FAR
rs | learn, has met with general ap-
,roval"
In speaking Of the affairs OF the o. X.
md ~, Mr. Woodworth said he was glad
o state that the old claims against the !
property which accrued during the latter
art OF its administration by the ~.
eivers OF the Union Pacific VINO AZ that
ime had possession and the settlement
lad been delayed through an unfortunate {
question OF respeu ity, were now In {
air way for immediate settlement The a
arlous courts to whom had been sub. /
nitted the question as to ilst who should ]
ay the claims, have about reached ?
nal decision In the matter and probably c
iithin thirty and at the outside sixty '
avs. Mr. Woodworath thinks chat nlI
can secure their money. with
iterest from the date OF the auditing OF
heir claims.