The record-union., 1899-01-19
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
Senate Corporation Committee Re-
ports Favorab1y on the Bill.

A bill of considerable Importance to
the railroad companies doing business
in the State was before the Senate Com
mittee on Corporations yesterday, and
will to-day be reported back with a
recommendation that it do pass.
The bill is amendatory of the Civil
Code, and authorizes the purchase or
lease by railroad corporations, and the
sale or lease by any such corporation of
f.ny such property or franchises.
Chairman Simpson called the bill up
ard said it was of the greatest import
ance to both the Santa Fe and the
Southern Pacific Companies that it re-
ceive favorable consideration. Both
companies, he said. had agreed to the
provisions of the bill. and he hoped it
would be recommended back without
oelay.
Braunhart objected, and said the
people along the lines Of road certainly
had some interest in the matter, par
ticularly when freight tariffs were con-
sidered. He said he had consulted with
Governor Gage about the bill, and that
the latter had objected to the period for
which any lease granted under it's pro-
visions should run. He moved to amend
the bill making the period five years, to
conform to the Governors recommenda-
ton.
Cutter said If the committee had
authorized Braunhart to consult the
Governor with regard to the bill, he
was unaoquainted With the fact. He
said the Legislature was in session for
the purpose Of passing laws regardless
of what the Governor thought of them.
If he did not like them he could veto
them, after which the Legislature had
s.ncther chance to pass them over his
head if it so desired.
Major Maginis, Purchasing Agent Of
the Santa Fe Company, was present,
and when questioned as to whether the
Governor s suggestion met with the ap-
proval of the company he represented,
replied that he had wired Judge Sperry
about the matter, but had not received
any reply.
L Chairman Simpson explained that
upon the second reading Of the bill on
the floor of the House any member
might offer any amendment he saw fit,
ard in the end it was agreed to report
the bill. the full text of which follows,
hack with favorable recommendation
Section J. A new section is hereby
aoded to the Civil Code of the State
of California. numbered four hundred
and ninety four. to read as follows
Section 494. Any railroad company
cy eated under the laws Of this State,
or under the laws of any other State
on Territory, or under the laws Of the
United States, which is now. or may
hereafter become engaged in the busi-
IS of a common carrier, wholly or
partially within the limits of the State
CT California, shall have full power and
authority to purchase or lease of any
other railroad corporation doing busi-
Less in this State as common carrier,
any part or portion, or all, of the prop
erty Of any kind or description, includ-
ing franchises, owned by such other
railroad company, which is, or are.
being used, owned or held, wholly or
partially. within the limits Of the State
of California; provided, however, moth
ing herein contained shall be construed
as authorizing or permitting the pur-
chase or lease by any railroad company
OF any competing parallel railroad.
Section 2 A new section Is hereby
added to the Civil Code of the State of
California, numbered four hundred and
rinety-five, to read as follows: