The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-25
MANITOBA RAILWAY POLICY.
Premier Robin Outlines II mt n Pub
lie Dinner.

WINNIPEG, Man. Feb. 24.-At the ban
quet given to Manitoba's Provincial
Treasurer recently. at Neepawa. Premier
Robin announced the Governments rail-
way policy. which has been anxiously
awaited. Mr.. Davidson the Provincial
Treasurer, spoke first. and said he fully
approved the bargain. Premier Robin
said the bargain was as follows: The
Northern Pacific leases all it's Manitoba
lines to the Provincial Government. These
lines are the Northern Pacific and Mani
toba Railway, the Winnipeg Transfer
Railway, the Portage and Northwestern
Railway and the Waskada and North
eastern. The lease Is for 999 years. The
rental paid by the Government for the
first ten years is 1910, 600. for the second
ten 1925, 900, for the third ten s275. 900, and
for the rest OF the term 100000 a year
The contract gives the Government an
option OF the purchase of the lines at
any time during the term for $1,000, 600.
The total mileage is 354 miles. Included
in the property leased and under option
Of purchase is all the rolling stock, equip
ment, and real and personal property.
The Government has made an agree
ment with the Canadian Northern Rail-
way assigning to that company both its
lease and options OF purchase, and the
company covenants to pay annual rentals
and to indemnify the Government against
all losses. costs. and expenses. The COM
pany also gives TO the Government abso-
Lutte control of all the freight rates from
points on the company's lines In Mani
toba to Port arthur and from Port Arthur
to all points on the lines in Manitoba.
The Lieutenant Governor in council Is to
fix the rates to be charged. The Kings
Bench Court at Manitoba has the final
Vr~F- h..
ance by the company OF the contract. This
power to fix rates expires June 80, 1890.
The company also agrees to reduce its
Manitoba passenger rates to not exceed
ing cents q mile.
Premier Robin said It was the solution
Of the railway problem in Manitoba and
gave the people control OF the situation.
In return for the concessions the Govern
ment guarantees the bonds of the Cana
dian Northern's Rainy River branch from
Port Arthur to Rainy River through a
difficult country for $50. 600 a mile at the
rate of per cent a year. The bonds are
payable June so. 1880, and are not to be
issued until the lines are constructed and
operated and not until the present out
standing bonds are delivered in exchange.
For this the Government obtains mort
gage on all the property and leases and
also upon the lease and option of the
Northern Pacific Railroad. In case the
lines no more than pay operating expenses
the Government is responsible for rentals
to be paid the Northern Pacific Railroad
and also for interest on the bonds. The
company forgoes its exemption from
taxation in Manitoba after the year
1905 and pays a sum fixed by the
Lieutenant Governor in council not eX-
ceeding per cent OF gross earnings on
its Manitoba lines. The company may
not amalgamate with the Canadian Pa
cific Railroad or make pooling arrange
ment with that line. Finally the company
grants the Government the option Of the
purchase of the entire property during
the year 1929 for par value. The Govern
ment has thus secured control of rates
for Manitoba and option of purchase.