The San Francisco call., 1898-05-05
HUNTINGTON
 FLIRTS WITH
 THE FACTS Spends Another Day Dodging Pertinent
 Questions. Frequently Trou bled With Remarka ble Lapses
 of Memory. Says He Enjoys the Associa- ton With the Railroad
 Commission.
One More Day Spent In Trying to As- certain tho Cost of Southern
 Pacific Lines.

Collis P. Huntington was in communi- catfYe mood yesterday. He told the Rail- road Commission almost everything fl did not want to know, and just to show that he was a good fellow he promised to try and refresh his memory about a few things concerning which the commission has spent three days in trying to get some information.
 The railroad magnate's memory seems to be wonderfully retentive in some spots and sadly deficient in others. For tn- stance, he remembered that before the lines of the Southern Pacific Company were built the stage fare from Los An geles to Tucson was $60, but he could not tell within s40,0O0 900 the amount of the capital stock of the cor oration of which he is the head and front When correct ed on the latter point he begged the par don of the commission by saying that the figures had slipped his mind. He was very positive, however, about the amount of the stage fare, and he even volunteered to go into particulars concerning other matters ante-dating the dawn of civiliza- tion In the far West for the purpose of showing, he said, that had 1t not been for his guiding hand the inhabitants of the Golden State would still be wallowing in the muck of semi-barbarism.
 he Commissioners wanted to know the cost and present value of the Southern Pacific lines, so they renewed their ap- peal to Uncle Collis to enlighten them on the subject. This he was quite willing to do, and he said so. He accordingly told them what it cost per mile to build rail- ways in Englasd, France Germany, Russia and Australia oandaraha and added +na ines. Hnsseu This was highly entertaining, but not a exactly to the point iq6ess When gaf down to business and told the Commis- sioners all about the difficulties to be encountered in building a railroad account he added a chapter for each of the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky.
 But how much money was spent In building the lines of the. Southern Pacific Company in this State?" persisted Chair
 Now that is. difficult question to an swer off hand" replied the magnate, "but will do all that I can to assist you in ndiHg out 01 aod Fnsno mnst that dertook to build and equip the lines for all of the bonds and stock of the roads. You know the amount of the bonds and stock, so there you have the cost Of the roads,"
 "We don't care about tne bonds and stock. What we want you to tell us is how much cash was actually expended In the construction of these roads. Will you do this?"
 gro be sure will. At least I will do all
  facts. There are so many things that en- ter into the item of cost that you can well that the matter is difficult one. These roads were built great many years ago, and I presume that the original con- tracts have been destroyed. If I had thought they would ever have been need ed I would gladly have preserved them. for 1t is my dsire to conceal nothing from this commission or from the public I would like to say, If the commission will permit me, that these roads have been a great thing for California. The Gov ernment was also very anxious that we should build the Southern Pacific line It has been a great thing for the Govern ment.'
 But what did the road cost?"
 "1 don't think l could tell at this mo- eral million dollars. You will understand. of course, that we were entitled at least to a fair days wages for our work am sure that I put in many days of hard work
 That is all very we'll" said La Rue. "but 1 don't see that we are making much progress with this inquiry"
 But we are having a good time," re- piled Huntington, as he leaned back in his chair and complacently stroked his beard.
 Huntington was asked If he was willing that the cost of the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley road should be taken as a basis upon which to figure the cost of the Southern Pacific lines.
 Not at all: Not at all.'' was the quick response. 'It is my belief that that road was built for fun. I don't do business for fun as a regular thing
 What was realized by the Southern Pacific Company for the sale of outstand-
 TT am sure I don't know. If can be of