The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-15
MUST SHOW THE RECORD
New and Important Order Made by Rail
road Com m issiOners

ROAD COmmiseiOnerB.
Topeka. Aug. 14.-Ex-Governor LEVEL.
ing of the state board of railroad COM
missioners signed an order yesterday
that is without parallel in the history OF
this state. II is 50 sweeping in its effect
that it is general believed to be the
precursor Of new and jealous effort TO
regulate railroads.
AS the Signs are interpreted they tndi-
cate movement against the Santa Fe
railway company, almost Identical with
that recently adopted against the Kan
sas City stock yards company.
The railroad board will avail Itself OF
the privilege of examining the books Of
the railway company. Its condition,
earnings. running expenses and finan-
cill methods will be laid open and sub
jected TO careful investiga ton.
The immediate promoter Of the action
was the Rice county freight rate case.
Complaint was made 10 the railroad
commission by the people Of Rec county
that the freight rates for their section
were exorbitant. Next Tuesday the
board will visit Lyons to take evidence
in the case.
Yesterday Sam Jones, attorney for At
lanta township. one of the complainants,
visited Topeka. He applied for subpoe-
mas for General Manager ]. ]. Frey and
the local agents of the Santa Fe in Rice
county. and asked that they be compeii-
ed to produce the contracts for con-
structon, maintenance and operation OF
the road.
- hA ,Afo - -+t . =.
the company and expose its innermost
affairs.
Ex-Governor Lewelling signed the sub
poena. A portion OF it is appended:
You and each Of you are hereby COM
manded to be and appear in your own
proper person before the board OF rail-
road commissioners Of the state Of Kan
sas. sitting at the court house in the city
OF Lyons N the county of Rice and state
of Kansas. on the 18th day OF August,
A. D. 1897. at the hour OF 10 o'clock a. IN,
records in your possession and under
your control showing or tending 10 show
the amount Of freight and passenger re-
ceipts az each Of the above mentioned
stations from August IS. 1895. 10 Angus.
Is, 1897; and also showing or tending 10
show the amount charged FOR freight
shipped during said tine from each OF
said stations. which was not paid az
such stations on. collected at destination
an6 showing al OF the freight business
OF said stations; also, contracts for carry
Ing the mails and express. and records
OF rece'p.s by reason thereof; also. all
Santa Fe Railway company and con-
tracts for The construction OF the Marion
and Mcpherson branch OF the Atcnison.
Topeka and Santa Fe railway through
Eice county. Kansas. and all records aad
contracts in reference to such construc-
tions an6 also lis latest and preseu, con-
tract for the purchase OF ties. rails and
materials and estimates FOR the cost OF
con Instruction OF said road made by Us
engineer al the time Of its construction.
ana all records. contracts and documents
bearing u7on the cost o. construction ~
said Marion ard Mcpherson lire snd
showing the anountof aid receives in It's
N Rice county. Kansas. and
III records ard documents in IN eposses-
SION % each or either Of you, showing or
tending 70 show whs; said road could /,
now 5e constructed for. And there 70 /
testify in certain proceeding now pend /
ns before sad board. wherein E VI
Black. trustee OF Atlanta toxnsh.o. Rice /
,ounty. Kansas. is complainant. and the /
Atohisan. Topeka and Santa Fe Railway /
company IS respondent. O. behalf OF said +
And this you do under /
,enaiey OF law"
The ssi:ute upon watch ere order is 4
,ased. authorizes TIE board 20 exercise !
quail power with courts % record n
witnesses 70 testify ana pro
.ace records