The herald., 1896-11-26
TRACK AND TRAFFIC NOTES
A Long Haul Question Under
Discussion
WESTERNERS WANT RELIEF
From the Operation of the Inter State
Commerce Act
An Important Question Raised Because
a Little Northern Road Failed to
Report--Bonds Due
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON. Nov. 25.-The inter
state commerce commission has issued
an order in the matter of the petition
of the railroad companies doing busi-
ness between common points in Color
ado and terminal points in California
for hearing on the 18th of December
next. The railroads interested in the
petition are the Atchison, Denver & Rio
Grande, Rio Grande Western, Southern
Pacific. Colorado Midland and Union Pa
cfic. They ask relief from the fourth
section of the interstate commerce act,
so that they may be authorized in the
transportation of like kinds of property
to charge less compensation in the ag-
gregate for the longer distances be-
tween Colorado common points and Cal
ifornia terminal points than for shorter
distances over the same line in the
same direction. the shorter being in
cluded within the longer distance.
They represent in this prayer that COM
petition with water transportation from
Atlantic coast points to the Pacific coast
markets renders necessary lower
through rate than they can afford to
make on business which is not carried
entirely through. The companies filing
the petition are also ordered to file their
existing tariffs on through and local
business. together with the changes they
wish to make in case of the suspension
of the law.
WANTS A REPORT
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25.-Assist-
ant United States District Attorney
Knight filed a petition in the United
States circuit court today requesting
that writ of mandamus be issued
compelling the Bellingham Bay and
British Columbia railway to return its
report to the United States interstate
commerce commission, as provided for
in an act of congress adopted February,
1887.
Judge McKenna issued a temporary
! writ directing the officers of the railroad
| company either to return the report or
! to appear in court on December 4th to
| show cause why they should not be COM
! PEELED to comply with the terms of the
| law. The company has offices in this
| city, though the railroad is operated in
| the north. 1t is small branch tapping
! the Canadian Pacific road about thirty
miles this side of Victoria. and fifty miles
east of Vancouver and running to New
| Whatcom, Wash, where connections
are also made with a line of steamers.
The case from its very nature will at
tract much interest, as the constitution
ality of the law may be attacked.
The penalty for violation is fine of
$4,000, payable by the officers of the road.
RAILROAD BONDS DUE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Secretary
| Carlisle has issued a. circular giving pub
lie notice that $9,712, 900 per cent bonds
issued under acts of July l, 1862, and Ju-
ly 2, 1854 commonly known as the cur
rency skies, become due January /, 1897.
and that interest will cease on that day.
The bonds We're issued in aid of the
Central Pacific, Union Pacific, Kansas
Pacific, the Central Branch of the Union
Pacific and Western railroad compan-
les. Bonds should be forwarded to the
secretary of the treasury for redemp-
ton.
A CARRIERS CASE
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 25.-Untted
States District Judge w. W. Morrow
today handed down an opinion In the
suit of Bancroft. Whitney and others
! who libeled the Pacific Coast STEAMSHIP
companys steamer Queen in order ia
recover damages aggregatng nearly
$4,000. A decree was given in favor of
the libelants and the case referred ia
the commissioner to ascertain the exact
amount of damages to be awarded. In
all thirtyseven suits were entered. but
the decision rendered in the case of the
Bancroft-Whitney company affects all
alike.
On the 30th of April, 1888, the steamer
Queen, having sprung leak at sea
while en- route to San Diego from this
port was run ashore at Port Hartford
in order to prevent the sinking of the
ship.
The entire damages claimed amount to
s21 900.