Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-07-22
HARRIs AND lie UNION Pacific

For the work he has done on the
matter Of protecting the government
interests in the Pacific railroads. Sen
atOr Harris has been receiving the
compliments Of q large number Of
people who are bis political enemies
In the litigation with the Pacific roads
Mr.. Harris is an expert with whom
there is no one worthy Of the name Of
rival He helped survey them when
they were built, in large part, and Ga'
been familiar with every operation
since.
A few month ago, learning that OuI
immaculate president, Cleveland, wa
dickerlng withs reorganization COM
miLtee tor sale Of the government
interests in the roads at about fifty
cents on the dollar, he began special
Investigations which satisfied him that
such arrangement was wholly without
warrant of law. lie pOinte out that
the law provided in case Of insecurity
Of the government interests, the pres
ident should pay off the other liens On
the roads aud take possession of them,
in the name Of the government
He called the matter up by resolu-
ton setting forth these facts, and
through dint Of hard labor he secured
its recommendation by unanimous
Committee.
The roads covered by this resolution
and arrangement are the Union Pacific
with mileage Of of 1.O3S miles from
Omaha to Ogden, and the Kansas Pa
ci6c with mileage of 1874 miles from
Kansas G ty west. A statement of the
public debt for April shows that these
Two roads owe the government on its
mortgage about S33,OOO,OOO in round
numbers. They owe 1t about $36, O00,-
600 in interest which the government
has been sWindled or hOOdOOed or
bribed into paying. Then there IS a
sinking fund of more than $l8, 1000, 900
against these bonds belonging to the
government which under the arrange
ment is to be sold to the reorganization
committee, making a total Of about
$87, 100000, all of which is to be turned
over and settled finally and forever for
A5, 100000. The process would there
fore loose to the United States about
or almost One-half. The matter is in
the hands of the courts, and PRESIDENT
Mckinley seems in this as in the mon
etary policy to be continuing the course
of his predecessor, and appears to be
letting it go on toward a sale to the re-
organization committee as mentioned
above,
In getting possession of the road
through the course proposed by Sen
ator Harris resolution the govern
ment would not have rs much capital
invested in the roads as the reorgan
ization committee will have in case it
gets possession. 1t figures uudeubt.
eddy that it can earn dividends on its |
investment. II it can the government
can, which is something 1t never has.
done under the arrangement 1t has had |
In the past. 1t has been q cons ant |,
source of expense. The government
could then either cut traffic rates so as
10 give the patrons of the road, who
would in fact to q greater or less extent
comprise almost the whole people. the
benefit Or MAINTAIN the traffic rates and
terivs handsome revenue from the
investment which would of course re-
1uce the necessity of raising a like
amount of revenue on something else
But there is another phase of this
question which involves something
more than Uncle Sans business rela-
lions with these roads. 1t involves his
business relations with some of the |
government directors of the Pacific
roads. Some of these directors who
were given their places to protect the |
governments interests are found to be
interested in the new reorganization 1
and it may yet develop another credit /
scandal But while Mr..
Harris, warmly and ably seconded by
Senator Morgan, has used every oppor- /
tunity to push all these facts before the
Senate he has as yet been unable to get
an expression out of it and such men
as ThurstOn, of Nebraska, who was
until he entered the United States
Senate, general attorney for the Union
Pacific and now represents It's interests
In the Senate, have tilibustered to pre-
vent an expression.
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WE HAVE strained our ewes until |