The San Francisco call., 1898-07-08
PrOtracted Examination
 Shows on Him.
OVER A WEEK UNDER FIRE
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS IN-
 PERSISTED LISTENERS.
Attorney General Fitzgerald Closely Examining Into the Witness Qualifications as an
 Expert.

Attorney General Fitzgerald devoted two hours and a half yesterday examin- ing Engineer Curtis of the Southern Pa cific Company as to his qualifica- tions as an expert, with view to min imizing his testimony given on his direct examination.
 The witness seemed unperturbed by the hundred and one interrogations put to thim, and calmly answered each inquiry into his knowledge of matters pertaining to railroads, past and present, drawing on his unlimited fund of information on the subject.
 Very few spectators visit Commission CT Heacock's court room, as the testimony is technical and usually uninteresting. Railroad Commissioners La Rue and Hinton are daily visitors, however, and listen attentively to all that is said. It is their purpose as soon as the present proceedings are concluded to take up and further develop matters brought out dur ing the taking of testimony. A Sttpula- ton was entered into between Attorney General Fitzgerald and MT. Herrtn, rep resenting the parties interested and the Railroad Commissioners, by which it was agreed that all testimony taken may be used at their hearing.
 MT. Curtis showed the first signs of be- ing fatigued and ruff1ed since the cross questioning began. 1t was near the close of the days examination and every one had become wearied by listening to the cost of rails and other necessaries, when the Attorney General put the following query to the witness:
 What would you say if MT. Hood or Senator Stanford and others had testi- fled that this identical work on the Gen. tral Pacific could have been done for 75 per cent less than what was charged there-sS00 per mile?"
 MT. Herrin noted his objection to the question on the regular grounds, and further stated that no such testimony was given.
 Mir. Curtis then in a voice a little care who said that thing was differ ent than what my own judgment and ex- perience taught me, I would stand by the fact no matter how great man said 1t to the contrary. N
 The matter passed off in a maze of questions as to the, number of water tanks, depotS and other articles used on the Oregon Branch of the Central Pacific Railroad.
 You stated yesterday" said Judge Fitzgerald that you were detailed to look after tunnels IA and 15 of the Central Pacific Railroad:, when were those tun- nelS constructed"
 in the year 1866 or 1S67," said Curtis T was assistant in the engineers depart ment-assistant to the chief of the party, MT. Stevenson He was an assistant en- gineer and l was subordinate to him. I was learning the profession then, run ming leveling instruments, handling the chain and doing all sorts of such work? 7? The witness thought the construction of these tunnels was done by the Charles Crocker Company.
 Attorney General Fitzgerald then ques- toned him to matters pertaining to the Oregon Branch of the Central Pa cific Besides being asked the number of men employed in the roads construction, their pay, etc, questions similar to these were propounded: What did the signals and signs on this line cost If there were any?" What Is the nature and extent and supply of this road?" How many tanks are there?"
 To all of which the witness expressed his willingness to enlighten his questioner by producing memoranda taken at the o'clock to-day.
 Further testimony will be taken at 200 o'clock to-day.