The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07
THE ACCOUNTING TURNED in.
Made Up from Published Reports and
Not Regarded rs Sntisfa Glory.


Attorney General Ketcham has in his
hands the report demanded of the Van
dalia Railroad in pursuance of the law
passed by the Legislature, but refuses to
make its contents public before it is in
the hands of the Legislature. He said yes
terday evening that he simply considered
himself conduit leading to the Legisla-
ture. Mr.. Ketcham was very much graft
fed when S. o. Pickens, attorney for the
7. II. & I. and the Pennsylvania road
walked into his office, shortly before 6
o'clock last evening, with the document in
his inside pocket. A satisfied expression
came over his countenance when Mr.. Pick
ems appeared at the eleventh hour. Mr..
Ketcham suggested that they retire into
his private Office for a perusal of the docu-
ment. The conference was not very pro-
longed. When they returned TO the outer
office where representatives of the press
were waiting, Mr.. Pickens said. when asked
If he had any objections to discussing the
report:
Not at ALL It is in the hands of the at
torney general"
Mr.. Ketcham reported what he had said
before. that he was simply the representa-
tive of the Legislature and did not feel at
liberty to disclose its contents before it
had been given to that august body. This
virtually sealed Mr.. Pickens's lips.
81 dislike to appear in the attitude of re-
fusing to give information, but this report
is directed to the Legislature through me
and I do not consider myself at liberty
TO disclose its contents"
do you regard it as satisfactory
LAS to whether it is satisfactory will be
a matter Of individual opinion. Monday it
will be in the hands OF the Legislature and
then every one can form his own opinion
as to that. / must say that / am glad this
report was made. 1 felt all along that the
officers of the road would not refuse to do
what they could ultimately be compelled
TO do In any event. L regard them as too
shrewd to adopt such course"
The figures given in the report are simply
those taken from the official reports of
the company during the years that ii OPP
Grated under the special charter and have
been accessible TO the States representa-
tives all along. The report is made upon
the affidavit of President McCrea, of the
Vandalia. who ayers that it is made up
from the official reports in his possession
and is the best he can do in the way of
compliance with the act. because he has
not had access to the books which are in
possession OF the court The report gives
q statement for each year that the road
summary of the whole period. 1t shows
the gross receipts and the expenditures
for construction account and for operating
expenses and dividends. 1t does not show
dividends of as much as 10 per cent. for
any one year and, according to the figures
contained in ii, there is nothing due the
State under the terms of the charter. The
report is not regarded as a satisfactory
accounting, as required by the law passed
a couple of weeks ago, and the further
legislation determines, upon by the attor-
ney general and the joint committee will be
introduced, probably tomorrow or Tues
day.