The record-union., 1899-08-05
SOUTHERN PACIFIC TAXES.
STATE EQUALIZERS ASK CUES
TIoNS FOR A DAY.
a Report Of Interesting Figures
and Questions Asked by
Members Of the Board.

At a meeting of the State Board of
equalization yesterday the matter OF
assessing the Southern Pacific system
consumed the day. Tax Attorney E.
Stack Ryan appeared for the company.
"A communication from the Board of
supervisors of Visalia was read, to the
erect that spur of the Southern Pa
cine system, running from Visalia to
Exeter, has escaped taxation. Mr.
Ryan stated that the road was IN
Guided under the heading Of 'side
INES. Mr. Ryan also stated that
there had been a consolidation of the
California Pacific, Northern Railway,
Northern California and Southern Pa
chic Railway Companies, all under the
name of the Southern Pacific Company.
The first road that Mr.. Ryan was
questioned concerning was the Call
fornia Pacific. He stated that there
had been no extension of the road
during the year. He had not made
the reports filed, but they were care
fully made by the Secretary's depart
ment. More than 100000 had been
spent during the year in betterments
and additions, extending over the
1880 miles of the system. Among
other things he said:
II do not know what roads we paid
rentals to, except that the report filed
by US was made by the clerk in
charge
Mr.. Toland asked why number Of
specific details as to legal expenses,
water, stations expenses, ETC., were
omitted in the report, but witness
could not answer
Questioned by Mr.. Beamer, Mr.. Ryan
could not explain the meaning of the
item RENTALS" but thought it meant
rent for the steamer Amador at Val
lejo.
In reply to Mr.. Toland, witness said
the road was originally bonded, but
he did not know for how much. He
said he did not know whether the COM
pany had copy of it's report to the
Railway Commissioners and to the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
Would you produce those reports ?"
asked Mr.. Toland.
''It is so far removed from my de-
partment," said witness, that I sup
pose it would be proper for you to ap
ply to the Secretary of the company,
or to the law department.
NIL L OlduQ-OuT time Is 50 SIlOfl tlldl
we have little time to make formal re-
quests for information that you do not
have. ~ ~ AHImE
Mr.. Ryan-That is not my fault.
The following facts appeared in the
report filed by the company: Miles Of
road, 1920; value, 100000; value of
rolling stock. S1S6500. Earnings: Pas
senger, $475. 36S09; freight. S797,-
SS5.6S; mail and express, S61, 26O04;
miscellaneous. $34, 732. 80: total, $1,369.-
246.31. Expenses: Operating, $685.
990.91; betterments and additions.
S6.416.63; rentals of other roads, S13,-
$50. II; taxes, S37 ,094 3S; total, STA
$50. 63-net, S654, 1863. IS; total revenue,
ditto; interest, $500, 125; maintenance
and structure, 500 660.42; maintenance
and equipment. S109,S SS.7S; general
expenses, $50. 1858. 81; conducting trans
portation, S402, SO7. 80.
The next road taken up was the
Central Pacific the mileage of which
appeared as 1876. The gross earn
ings were S14, 121, 59677, the expenses
50, 331 .251.60 in and out of the State.
covering 1,3677S miles in the entire
system. The gross earnings in the
State were S7,766, S7S.22, and expenses
So 1914, 1882; betterments in the State,
S136, 112.26; other receipts, interest
and dividends, $S9,627 80; rentals, $50
66296
Mr. Ryan said that the statements
filed We're for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1898, which was the only rem
dering that could be made in detail.
For the eleven months ending May
81, 1892" said Mr.. Ryan, there was
showing of more than 100000 less
than for the year ending June 80, 1898.
We had the Christian Endeavorers last
year"
But you had the soldiers this year"
suggested Mr.. Toland
Yes, but for nothing" returned wit
ness.
Mr.. To1and objected that the COM
pany had not filed full facts regarding
bonded debts, etc, but Mr.. Ryan IN
sisted that the company had complied
with the code. The Secretary of the
board said that the law did not require
the company to file such data annually,
and that the company had the docu-
ments on hand.
Bring them in, Mr.. Secretary" said
Toland. whereupon an armful of re-
ports. typewriter documents, etc,
were produced. Mr.. Toland again made
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