The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-21
RAILROAD BOOKS
CLOSED TO STATE
COMPANIES MODIFY INVITATION
TO "HELP YOURSELF"
James Manaham, for Minnesota Ship
pers' Association, Is Told by Omaha
and Great Northern Officials that He
Can Not Have Access to General Ac-
counts, ''on Advice Of Counsel"

James Manahan, attorney for the
Minnesota Shippers association, has
filed complaint with the state rail-
road commission, asserting that the
Omaha road has absolutely refused to
permit him to examine its books, and
that the Great Northern Saturday told
him he could not continue his investi-
cation of it's records until its attorney
had been consulted Mr.. Manahan de-
mands that all the evidence Of the rail.
roads in the merchandise rate hearing.
which was to have been verified by ex-
animation of the records, be struck
from the testimony before the commits.
sion. The motion will come up for
hearing Sept. l, and if granted, will
mean practically the throwing out of
all the evidence of the railroads and
leaving only that of the ,complainants.
acting on which it will be up to the
railroad commission to order a sweeping
reduction in merchandise rates.
Manahan's Compliant.
In his formal complaint, Attorney
ION Aug. le James Manahan, rep
resenting the Minnesota Shippers as
ISOLATION, and N. B. Hinkley. expert
accountant of the state commission,
called at the general offices Of the Oma-
ha railroad for the purpose OF verify
ing from the general books and records
Of the company the evidence submitted
and introduced at tho railroad rate
hearings.
"The controller Of the company at
the hearings offered to permit an ex-
animation Of such books and records
as would show what items went into
operating expenses Of the company,
but absolutely refused. under the ad-
vice of the general counsel, to give
us general access to the general books
of account of said company.
| Refused Access.
"And we were denied an opportu-
nifty, to verify from the original rec
ords and books the correctness of re-
ports filed with the commission by the
railway company and introduced in
evidence at the hearings.
"We hereby demand, on behalf of
the Minnesota Shippers association
and G.. F. LOTUS, as intervenors and
compliments, the Judgment and order
of the commission striking from the
testimony offered all evidence submit
and all testimony whatsoever based on
the records, and maintain the dignity
and authority Of the state railroad and
warehouse commission
The complaint as to the Great North
ern was made verbally, charging that
the officials Of tho road last Saturday
refused to permit him to delve further
into the company's records until the
road s general counsel had been con
suited.
Falls Back on Charter.
The Chicago Great Western road, BY
it's attorneys, Davis, Kellogg & Sever
ance, has filed it's answer in tho suit
brought by the state of Minnesota tt
recover the / per cent gross earnings
tax for the year 1908. The answer
claims that by the terms Of the origi
nal charter of the minnesota & North
western road, later consolidated will
the Great Western, it's gross earning
tax is limited to 2 per cent, in lieu O.
all other taxes, and that the attemp
to collect 4 per cent is in violation O
the charter granted the company an
also the state constitution.
The answer admits that the gros
, earnings of the road in 1903 were a
alleged, $1,298,980, and that the take
due under the terms of it's charter wer
$24,979, and were duly paid.