The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-18
MEXICO AND ORIENT
Railroad Wants 100000 in
Aid and Terminal Bonds.
COMMITTEE WILL CONFER
Judge Eaton Addresses Meet
ing at Commercial Club.
COMMITTEE WILL CONFER

Judge John A-Eaton Of Kansas City, one
Of the legal representatives of the Kan
sas City. Mexico and Orient Railway
company, which has been in contempla-
yesterday. and last night addressed a
meeting OF the Commercial club on the
matter of granting county construction
and and territorial bonds. Judge Eaton
was sent here by Chief Counsel Trimble
of the proposed company. and while he
made no fat proposition 20 the club, it
is his opinion that the statutory limit
Of 5000 per mile for construction aid
bonds was a fair and reasonable amount.
II Is proposed 10 operate about thirty
five or forty miles OF track in the county
and under these figures the bonus would
amount TO $4,000 or $4,000. Neither did
Mr. Eaton ask for any certain amount
OF bonds for terminal facilities, but while
he was not Authorized to make any prom
ises, it was his belief that If the city
would make the company an offer to
give $4,000 Wichita would be taken care
les. The two bond propositions are sep
arate and DISTINCT and both or either can
be accepted. Mr.. W. c. Edwards, who
represents the construction company that
has been given the contract. to erect l25
miles of line in Kansas viii be here to-
morrow evening and at the behest OF Mr.
Eaton a motion was passed to appoint a
conference committee to meet Messrs.
Eaton and Edwards, and formally open
negotiations The company is reluctant
about asking for any certain amount Of
aid and would rather receive an offer
from the city. President c. G. COhn will
appoint a committee today and the
conference will be held tonight wkcn
Messrs. Eaton and Edwards return from
Anthony, where they go to look I1fter
their. interests. The result Of the meet
ing viii be reported to a meeting of the
Commercial club to be held at the call Of
the chairman.
Judge Eaton arrived in the city yester-
day morning and together with Senator
o. h. Bentley called upon a number Of
the business men who are interested in
the town and consequently its railroad
project. Judge Eaton met with much en-
enlargement. A meeting OF the Com
mercial club was called for s o'clock and
the following members were present: c.
G. Cohn, OBJ. Bentley. b. l. Eaton. WE.
Jet. C. V. Ferguson. j. o. Davidson. F.
". Oliver. J. Z Helm, J. F. Schwartz,
C. H Smyth. Charles Lawrence, ]. A.
Windsor. C. H. Brooks, Charles Ayles-
bury. S. G. Lehman, r. R. Vermilion ].
Y Dougherty. J. NJ Moore, H. Z. Case,
Dean Gordon, F. c. Wood and. Mr..
Chandler.
Mr. Eaton addressed the members
of the club, setting forth the advantages
Of the project and the beneficial results
that would follow its equipment and
operation. as proposed It being the short
est route to the coast of California. The
gentleman was free to answer all ques-
ti0ns when Intercepted by the members,
and he was emphatic IN his statement
that the road would be constructed,
whether aid was attained or not. The
company was incorporated several weeks
ago under the laws Of Kansas with a
capital stock of s25.00Oe0O, half preferred
and half common stock with the privil-
eye Of increasing it to SO, 100000 This
amount will cover the entire line in
Guiding necessary wharfs at the port and
other enterprises.
The line. as proposed, will start at
Kansas City and extend to the coast of
California, going through Kansas. Okla
homa. Texas and Mexico. The distance
covered viii be 1870 miles. which will
make the route to the coast AGO or 500
miles shorter than any other road. The
scheme and project is of the Stillwell
mould, the promoter Of the Pittsburg and
Gulf having conceived the idea and start
ed the movement. after careful and ma
ture delf5erstion. Mr.. StillweH IS pecul-
iarly eifted as railroad constructor, and
while that gentleman made mistakes on
the Pittzburg and Gulf Mr.. Eaton be
lieves that IN his new enterprise he VIII
profit BY the errors made in the construc-
ton OF the line 70 Port Arthur.
The company has been devoting more
time - the southern end Of the project
and Mir. Eaton is authority for the state
meut that large concessions have been
granted by the Mexican government.
Considerable rieht-of-way and a large
amount Of domain. including a large
tract Of mineral and coal land. has been
obtained The government also has cou-
seRted 10 give Sle0l per mile for the con-
struction Of the road. Mr.. Stiuwel. he
fore going into the enterprise. ASSOCIATED
himsef with a number OF Mexican cao!t-
alfsts who are closely identified with the
government and it is Judge Estoa's theory
that the beneficial results Of the proposed
lien cannot be wisely disputed
From Kansas City it is the intention of
the promoters Of the road &, each as
many large towns as possible but in
Oklahoma ana Texas the line viii extend
throush a large amount OF uudeyelcped
territory. which Will be opened
AT Topobouampo. the southern terminus.
there is an excellent harbor and a fine
body of water. Regarding the freight
business, upon which largely depends the
success Of any railroad, negotiations have
been opened with established steamships
Tor freight from Hong Kong. Manila and
other Oriental ports. The Sandwich IS
lands has also been acquired, and as the
TopooolaInpo port Is the nearest distribut-
Ing point Tor the United States, the new
read is IN a position 10 catch a large
share Of its Oriental trade Thus viii Il
also be in position 10 offer cheap rates, /
although Mr.. Eaton could give no def
mite idea as 70 the intention along this
Iue This argument seemed plausible.
snd was merely used as proof that the /
road will be successful. The road viii /
also catch considerable lumber and coal /
freight from Mckee.
According 70 Mr.. Eaton's views. It