The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-15

including passenger, freight, mail, c-l-
press and miscellaneous earnings
amount to $510.066.19; / find that the
respondent expended for maintenance of
way. equipment, conducting transporta-
ton and general expenses S412.642.SG
surplus Of earnings over operating eX-
penses, S97, 432.33
| can conceive of no possible way 10
have net profits until all expenses are
paid The Intra- State or domestic bust
ness should be charged with whatever
proportion Of the expenses that the per
cent of 1ntra State or domestic business
bears to the whole. and this | find to be
3O.7 per cent. The total taxes paid b.
the North Carolina road for 1S9.
amounted to S24,S20. 1907 per cent
of which is admitted by the complainant
to he just credit in favor of the re-
spondent. to be deducted from the sur
plus of earnings above. viz: 500 1889:
30.7 per cent of S24 .S2O.16 is $T.G19.7S
surplus after deducting taxes. $50, S03. -
The State has leased or rented to the
Southern Railway the North Carolina
road. receiving therefore S266.00O per
year. The decisive point in this case is.
shall the lntra-State or domestic bust
ness bear its proportion Of this rental?
1t is Il fixed charge and the same pro-
portion that the IntrlState bears to the
whole should be deducted in this as in
taxes. 30.1 per cent of S266.00O is $751;
322.O0; leaving a net surplus of So,
4S1.5J.
The proposed reduction is % per cent
of S261 1854. the gross Intra-State or
domestic passenger business, which re-
duction if made would amount TO 500
l1o i. go n
STATES CONTENTION.
Net earnings. $41S.625. rs: from which
nothing is to be taken as rental. leaving
12.4 per cent on the assessed value
the whole property In TINS | cannot
concur. for the reason that ] am If
opinion that the deduction Of the rental
should be taken into consideration. and
which. if done, will leave $152.625. IS;
30.7 per cent of which to be appropriated
to IntraState or domestic business, viz:
S46.S53.93, which sum is .047 per cent
on 1886, 930.O3. the assessed value appro-
priated to IntraState or domestic bust
ness. and .O44 per cent on 81. 159. 117.GJ
cost of reproduction of the road Intra-
State
This being the case. | am of opinion
the prayer for relief refused.
tSigned) l.. c. CALDWELL.
Chairman Caldwell gave no reason for
giving his reasons. Mr.. Pearson voted
TO reduce and Father Abbot never has
anything to do with reason Mr.. Cald-
well also neglected to append the name
of his collaboration.
On motion Of Mr.. Pearson. the follow
ing resolution with reference to free
passes was adopted:
Whereas. the Supreme court Of North
Carolina has declared the issuing of free
passes to certain persons illegal. and
whereas this Commission is charged in
part with the enforcement Of this law.
Therefore it is ordered that each Of
the railroad. steamboat telegraph and
telephone companies doing business in
the State shall furnish to the aiid Com
mission on or before July 20. 1898. n
sworn list of all persons or firms who
now hold free passes or franks. as at
torneys, agents or adiusters of claims
against said companies respectively
INCREASE IN TAXES.
The increase in tax valuation will
amount to nearly five million dollars all
told. This, however. includes the Pull
man and Western Union. upon which
there have been exceptions filed. and
which may be lowered. Colonel John w.
Hinsdale. counsel for the State, who
appeared alone in the tax matter, has
been highly complimented for the
thoroughness of the work DONE as shown
by the increased value for taxation
With regard to telegraph and Express
companies. the following resolution. Of
fered by Chairman Caldwell. was ADOPT
ed.
Whereas, Section 26 of the Railroad
Commission act prescribes a penalty of
not less than $50 against any telegraph
or telephone company doing business
i'll the State for charging Il higher rate
for the transmission Of any message
than that fixed or approved by said
Railroad Commission. and whereas. the
Western Union Telegraph Company has
charged and continues to charge
higher rate than that fixed or approved
by the Railroad Commissions;
Resolved, That the Western Union
Telegraph Company be, and is hereby,
notified to appear before the Railroad
Commission on July 20, 1898. and show
cause, if any it can. why the penalty
incurred for each and every overcharge
since the list day of July, 1893, be not
enforced.
Resolved further, That said Western
Union Telegraph Company be and is
hereby required to produce before
said commission on said Goth day Of
July. 1898, sworn statement Of the
number of messages received at its
various offices in the State since July
LIST, 1898, to date of hearing. wherever
any amount has been paid to said com
pany or any agent Of said company.
ALL REPUBLICANS.