The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-13

-. anal hearing ano appear: tug
ing has declined to promulgate
~" rates. but will seek an early
net the supreme court on those
" I, is Impossible to say when
~ 10 expected, yet certainly not
,har one year. In the mean
iesS ,ac,sion has authorized the
me ,mnanies to establish exorbit-,
wh;ch besides being generally
yes, excessive are injuring ana
a r,ata Industries and ports. In
pg and conclusive manner the
pna.ra s,ibseauent action OF the
asa a,e strengthened the commits
PIES .nhnroughly established Its EN-
pa ssf,,lnese, and In this sense
ana,iSed evils. Besides the ire
a continuing injustice to indus
Hn. tho decision Is to be re-
n, va.a,,se il Is so utterly indefensible
oe,.~axnlicable upon legal or equit-f
..nds The true measure OF rea-
oun ss need not be discussed. for
slightest and most definite stand
IVA down by any court and apply
~ Houston and Texas Central
s.hich the circuit Judge adopted
~ decision is wholly unwarrant-
49, - MEASURE or standard Is that an
ss AR Justice Brewer Of the su-
Mt ~ the United States that the
osiS Weld revenue sufficient to pay
H. oynenses. interest on bonds and
..;Sond on stock Under the tariffs
mo Central Railroad company,
aoch If the past four years. accord
~ sworn reports to the commission,
cnsrating expenses, taxes, interest
- a. bonds, and surplus for the
III Of dividends or such use as the
81 might see proper to apply y, as
1894, s221,064.92; 1895. $!o7.-
1896, 1886, 409.7S; 1897, $SS,ool. ~.
os 1852. "a. The general basis OF
aid down by the supreme court OF
nited States in the Nebraska case
va, Ames, 169 u. s., 54O. which
latest expression on the subject. Is
liberal, especially when applied to
co than the basis fixed by Mr.. Jus
rewer referred to. We have there
he singular spectacle Of a Federal
ndre. before final hearing, without
md in opposition to principles of law
need by the supreme court, enjoining
berations of sovereign State In a
Of. transcendent Importance. This
besides, at the suit of bondholders,
dollar of whose interest has been
rly and promptly paid when due un-
rates enjoined. The processes OF
are so slow and ponderous that an
from a final decree in this character
ion leaves the State without ade-
remedy. and consequently the act of
ss approved March 8, 1891, creating
rcuit court of appeals, should be SO
ed as to give the right of appeal d.
5 the supreme court from an Inter-
nv or temporary restraining order
a has been entered in these cases.
that act where a temporary
lining order is granted in in
bn cases appealable to the circuit
Of appeals, an appeal may be
IN thirty days and for better rea-
Iris right should be given In these
suggested would enable the SUI
court to settle, without delay, all
versies between the commission
Hallway companies and protect the
from arbitrary and despotic power.
GEMS from this litigation and other
tions that the contest over railway
tion by commission may be re-
b. Certain 1t is that original
es Of the commission who had
In eclipse are significantly re-
ring and rendering aid and comfort
new assault The legislature can
no greater service to the people
Industries of the State, than to de-
promptly and decisively whatever
Tres may be presented Intended to
arger scope and powers to railway
ations or which openly or covertly
the commission The commits
moreover, should be strengthened by
ling 1t with ample funds to employ
g, diyorclng our railways from
systems, authorizing emergency
which may be made Immediately eff
:, and in the interest of our ports
ing railway companies to receive
is for transportation from steam
and other water craft upon the
terms and conditions as from other
ers.
ociated with this general subject is
relative value of railway property
rendered for taxation and when
'ered as basis for rates. The cir
udge practically held in these cases
inc value of the property was at
equal to the aggregate of stock and
upon which the companies insist
pre- entitled to predicate rates. The
81 STOCK and bonds of fifty railroads
state, with trackage of S064
comprising substantially all our
aas, Is $369,623, 1856, and the total
20 value OF the same property for
VI IN 1897 was only SOS, 1913, 445.
y a difference of over $500, 5000
70 aggravated and scandalous that
INJUSTICE to the State is manifest,
uiariy II rates are to be based upon
and bonds. The usual answer to
Inc statement that all property in
'ate 70 underyalued for taxation.
= srhe' but II stock and bonds rep
4 Wy reai value. railway property
Hossly undervalued for taxation,
y only about Is per cent OF the
~ pond value. while all other prop
rendered at from 40 to go per cent
Ac.ual value. The valuation of this
railway property, as fixed by the
'a, as basis of rates, is s141,-
~ the taxable value fixed by
psn'es Is about one-half of this.
SauIhs with conditions in the case
~, 'nsr property. the commission
n.t. stppearb more nearly to ap-
rs,s. me real value. The commits
'aa.on OF the Houston and Texas
~, siircad Is $21.1S8 per mile, ag-
Az ssoSs,9OS.2S. Upon this value
N per- cent earned by this company
tsse 1897 and 1928 was l4.gs,
.. ~,M and 1922. respectively,
unssss. aa the legal rate of interest
Al n. 'oSnspiy meets the require-
sae Nebraska case.
- DEPARTMENTS AND AGEN-
CIES. ID
pubic buildings and grounds have
ssn'iy and most satisfactorily
sao increased vigilance has
q. IN the construction Of new
NJ. for the four years rentals Of
10Y have increased $4,000, and
a. tn sn na have been reduced