The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-15
WILL BE RE- OPENED
POWERS COMMITTEE DECIDES TO
TRY OVER AGAIN,

Bill is Contemplated on the Lines of Rer
resentative Harrison's Plan, for a Com
ment aud Settle With the Roads-Hear
ing to be Held by the Committee Wed
nesday Atlantic and Pacific Receive
Smith Discusses That Lines Prospects
Railway News-Business Enterprises.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE course TAX
en- by the house committee on PACING
railroad makes 1t probable that the rail
road question will be brought before
congress again this session in the form
of a proposition to adopt the plan OF
Representative Harris of Alabama, for a
government commission TO make a set
tlemcnt with the roads. With put one
dissenting voice the committee decided
to empower a subcommittee 10 consider
Mr. Harrison's plan, which is embodied
in a bill, and it is predicted by most of
the committeeman that the bill will be
reported 10 the house. 1t was decided 10
give a hearing on the question next We'd
nesday. The members OF the sun-com-
rnittee are: Powers Of Vermont, Hepburn
pf Iowa, Patterson OF Tennessee, Harri-
Eon OF Alabama and Hubbard of Missou-
ri In its personnel every shade of opin-
ion on the railroad question is represent
ed
The committee was impelled TO its ac-
ten by the strong feeling entertained by
most of its members against the lore
closure by the government, with the prob
ability of government ownership, which
als-1xv ireata q
IL the government fOrecloses. 1t was
:onceded that the funding plan in any
form was dead.
Nothing was said in committee today
about the views of the railroad compa-
MES upon the commission plan, but il is
presumed that they win prefer an oppor-
tunity 20 continue negotiations with the
government, to foreclose-
The Harrison bill, which embodies the
suggestion made 10 congress by ex-Pres-
ident Harrison, names the secretaries of
Inc treasury and the interior and the at
lorney general TO constitute the commits
sion a suggestion was made that there
should be a commission of men not gov
eminent officials, appointed by the presi-
dent, il being urged that the cabinet Of
ffcers would not have time TO engage
In the negotiations. Another suggestion
was that the secretary of the interior
and the attorney general, with three
other persons. one selected by the presi-
dent and one by each OF the two cabinet
officers constitute the commission.
The railroad question was opened be-
fore the committee by another attempt
by representatives of the Sioux City and
Pacific company TO secure an indeDend-
Sn. settlement with the government. At
torneys for the Chicago and Northwest
ern appeared, by their representa- tive, Mr.
Brown, 10 urge the adoption OF bill in
:Tcduced by Mr.. Hepburn, authorizing
the secretary of the treasury to make a
settlement Of the roads indebtedness TO
the government. There are $1.600O00 of
subsidy bonds maturing on January l,
1893, and the government has paid inter-
Est on these, which brings the roads in
heh5edDess up TO about $4,000 900. A ma
5ority of the Sioux City and Pacific stock
is held by the Chicago and Northwestern
which holds leases of the road, so that
settlement practically would be made
with the latter corporation.
Counsel for the Curtis Communion
company, Of Sioux City, which includes
$40 banks. IN twenty-five states, holding
the securities. spoke against the bill. The
Sioux City interests have opposed the
funding bill and are antagonistic to any
separate settlement with any of the
Pacific railroad companies. They desire
an arrangement by which the Union Pa
cific will be prevented from discriminate
ing against them in traffic arrangements.
The Sioux City question was, with the
Harrison plan, entrusted TO the sub-com-
mittee. Mr.. Harrison said today that
his bill probably would be amended to
give the government commission author
tty to foreclOSe upon the roads in case IL
fails TO make a settlement with them
chance I'D nv
ex-Seoretary Hoke Smith, who took an
active Dart in the Pacific railroad uues-
ton when in Office.
The point provided for by Mr.. Harri-
sons bill. on which he is insistent, is
that all testimony taken by the commits
Zion snail be given under oath. The wit
nesses before the commission when the
turd-ng bfli was being prepared were not
sworn and Mr.. Harrison says no weight
should be given to unsworn ex parte tes-
sinony in dealing with question In
Nolvirg SO much money.
SENATOR GEARS BILL.
Washington, Jan. 14-Senator Gear.
Chairman of the committee on Pacific
railroads will call a meeting of the COM
mittee tomorrow to consider the bill in
PRODUCED by him yesterday for the ap-
po'ntment of a commission 70 conducl
the settlement Of the Indebtedness of the
boCd-aided roads. When asked TODAY
what action he thought the senate would
take on the new proposition. Senator
Gear said ne thought it likely that il
would be disposed to delay any action
until II should be known what the house
would do, but that he should not saw
untii the committee should convene what
course would be advised The Se,1at tor
said ne had introduced his bin after A
conference with some Of the members of
ills committee, but that he had not made
sufficient inquiry to form an intelligent
idea of its strength in the senate Nor
md ne know how the Pacific railroad peo-
pc would regard the bill. Il have not
conferred with any Of them" said the
senator. and cannot say whether the
provisions Of the bill VIII be acceDtabls
10 them or not. but l should suppose that
'.iey would prefer treating with a respon-
si2ie commission II having the roads dis
posed OF a forced sale.
NANDERBILTS WANT MORE.
New York. Jan. 1.-THE Herald this
morning says: Reports were in circula-
ton last night that the Union Pacific
'eorSaniZa lion committee. having now
within lis control nearly all Of the bonds
and stocks of the company by means of
an agreement under which they were de-
posted. = ready 70 pay A fair sum for
me road from Omaha 10 Ogden. The
program Is said 10 be 70 keep up the gov
eminent bonds on both the Union Pacific
end Central Pacific roads so as 10 give
them through line 20 the coast Ac-
coFding TO the reports. the support Of the
Nanderhilts and j Pierpont Morgan is
expected 10 be obtained. In fact. il II Is
carried out, they may hear that the syn
alcate that furnishes the necessary cap
itaf for the Vanderbilt roads Womb s.
cure A through line from Omaha - g.,
trancisco This would give a system
<rnrl EAs.,, and VI. =,