The herald., 1897-04-06

BRYAN SILENT
Because Webster Talked
So Long
THE MAXIMUM FREIGHT CASE
ANxIousLY WATCHED By RAIL-
ROADS AND PEOPLE
THE MAXIMUM FREIGHT CASE
Counsel Gown Promises Prompt Fore
closure of Union Pacific Debts
to the Government
A .A..oc,ataa Press special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, April 5.-The crowds
about he United States supreme court
today were a slight reminder of the late
campaign. They were attracted by the
presence in the court room of Hon. w.
]. Bryan, late Democratic candidate for
president, who had been announced to
appear as counsel for the state of Ne
braska in what is known as the maxi
mum freight case. The limited capac-
ity of the court room was taxed long be-
fore the hour of opening at noon, and
the corridors We're soon filled by throng
anxious to secure admission whenever
places inside should be vacated Mr.
Bryan was in the court room early, oc-
cupying a seat beside Mr.. Smythe, at
torney general of Nebraska, with whom
he was to appear in the case.
Mr.. Bryan moved the admission to the
bar, earlier in the day, Of II. G. Bell,
deputy commissioner of pensions.
The Nebraska case was not reached
until 3 o'clock. and John L. Webster, of
counsel for the state, was then recog-
nized to open the argument. He con-
EuultQ Int VI ihc ody anu
had not concluded when the court adj
journed.
When Mr.. Webster finishes, as he
will between II and l. Mr.. Bryan will
be heard. The railroads are represented
by James Carter of New York. The de-
cision of the case will determine the
constitutionality of the law of 1893, fix
ing a maximum rate for freight charges
on the part of railroads operating in
the state. The railroad companies en-
Joined the state of Nebraska from car
rying out the provisions of the law on
the ground, among others, that the rate
fixed was not sufficient for the mainte-
nance of the roads. The state appeals
the case, which is considered of great
Importance on account of it's bearing
upon similar contentious in the other
states.
OMAHA, Neb, April 5-Gen. John
c. Gown, special counsel for the United
States government in the foreclosure
suits of the government against the
Union Pacific railway, returned today
from Washington. He has been in con-
ference with the attorney general and
other government officials regarding the
foreclosure.
This afternoon Gen. Gown stated that
he saw no obstacle In the way of fore
closure, but thought that event would
come along as quickly as the necessary
legal papers could be issued by the
courts.
when will the foreclosure take place,
General Cowin?"
"It is difficult to tell the exact date"
he replied "but the papers will be is-
sued in May. Then it should not be
more than a matter of sixty or ninety
days after that until the foreclosure is
complete
THE POOLING BILL
CHICAGO April 5.-The Tribune says:
Railroad men in the west and east are
preparing for vigorous campaign in
favor of the passage of the Foraker
pooling bill. They feel that unless ener-
getic efforts are made there is little
chance of securing the adoption of the
bill during the present session of con-
gress. The influential railroad officials
will leave for Washington to urge upon
the members of congress and senator's
that unless the roads are permitted to
pool, prosperity will never return to this
country or, as Chauncey M. Depew ex-
presses 1t, "in a proper pooling law lies
the only solution of the existing troub-
les"
Railroad officials in this city say the
pooling bill introduced by Senator For
aker is entirely satisfactory to them.
A RAILROAD CONFERENCE
SAN F1fANClCCO, April o.--<1n OTUer
has gone forth from the general office
of the Southern Pacific company sum-
moning all the officials who represent
the company or look after the company's
traffic interests in the east to an i'm
portant conference to be held here on
the 18th inst. The purpose of the con-
ference and just who have been sum-
moned to participate in its deliberations
are matters concerning which the
greatest possible amount of secrecy is
being preserved by the officials in the
general office. 1t is said that the col
lapse in the railroad traffic associations
and the consequent need OF precaution
to prevent a general decentralization in
rates are partly responsible for the call
for a conference
RAILROAD EXTENSION.
SAN FRANCISCO. April 5.-One of the
possibilities in the near future in con-
nection with the extension and improve
ment of the coast division of the South
ern Pacific company is the construction
ef an electric line to San Jose. Presi-
dent Huntington says the directors of
the company have the proposition under
consideration and 1t may follow the
completion of the new coast line to
Santa Barbara. The plan contemplates
the handling Of all local traffic between
San Francisco and San Jose on the elec-
tric line and IL the project is carried out
the local trains now running to Palo
Alto and San Jose will give way to half
hourly electric trains between here and
the Garden City.
rwaz - n