The San Francisco call., 1899-03-31
WIN Act on the Grain
Rate Case.
SITUATION is COMPLICATED
THE COMMISSIONERS AT SEA
AMONG THEMSELVES.
at Interesting Session Promised,
With a Three-Cornered Contest
Between the Members in
Prospect.

Cs P. Huntington, president, and
general Thomas II. Hubbard, vice pres-
DEN. Of the Southern Pacific Company,
~5 decide whether or not the suit of that
-. roration against the State Board of
EsjrOad Commissioners is to be dismissed
ard a compromise effected with the COM
n ssion on the basis of an per cent re-
5gction in grain rates. This information
Genes from an absolutely reliable source.
,- was further stated that the present
disposition and policy of the railroad COM
pauy IS TO fight the case to q conclusion
in the courts on its merits.
Both the gentlemen named are due to
arrive in this city early next week to take
f-rt IL the annual election Of directors
~ The southern Pacific Company, to be
held on April .. As the action of the Rail-
..ad Commission will be largely depend
.1. on that of the railroad company the
,4,-tr must make a definite move before
sac 10Th Of April, the date fixed by the
,11smission for final action. If the rail-
road should determine not to dismiss the
~LI- aJ this time. the position OF the COM
mission will be peculiar
Al Us last meeting it decided TO rescind
tle resolution of the former commission
w5itt involved II II the present litigation,
provided an per cent reduction in grain
rates were made by the railroad company.
be commission, in fact, conditioned one
@ GpOn another, and the precedent con-
l3-lon is controlled by the Southern Pa
r:fc Company. If the latter does not take
cps to have the injunction against the
-9umi SsiOu dissolved. the commission will
oe unable to make the proposed reduction
IN grain rates. the resolution of the old
board VIII have TO stand and the pending
litigation necessarily be continued. These
are the expressed views OF Commissioner
LaUmeister. but they do not accord with
those OF the two other Commissioners.
Commissioner BlackstoCk believes that
The commission of which he IS a member
actually TesCinded the resolution of the
old board. and thereby removed all cause
FOR litigation. His attitude was clearly
e1uGCiated in an interview had with him
al Los Angeles few days ago, wherein
les used the following language: Our
GARD VIII meet in San Francisco on April
j.. at which time all the litigation which
and the Southern Pacific Company will
be formally ordered dismissed"
.73lachstOCkS idea IS that on the aban>
dgnment OF the defense of the suit insti-
tuted by the Southern Pacific Company
that corporation will make no contest
yer the proposed reduction in grain
r5Ies. If BlackstOCks plan is carried out
the costs OF the pending suit will fall
upon the people, while II the progTa mme,
through The Southern Pacific Will have to
stand the costs.
. Commissioner Edison has the unusual
@ courage to admit that he was bunkoed
. when he was induced to vote for the am
.atgUCGs resolution cOntriVed by the joint
efforts OF BlackstOck and Iaumeister,
and at the forthcoming meeting he in
.. tends to repudate that document.
For these reasons the approaching
one Of the most interesting in its his.
tory.