The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-10

than we can. What would you say %
inquired Mr.. Prouty.
Il should say that property was as
sessed at about one-eighth of it's real
value
The important feature of Mr.. Ma
TONS testimony was that the railroads
claimed to be returning their property
at about one-third of its real value.
This would make the main lines of the
railroads valued at at only $4,000
mile, which is only half of what w. r.
Stubs testified it would cost to dupli-
cate them. If the railroads were
earnings to $4,000 per mile capital
invested. it would be a tough PROPOSE
ton for them.
Cartilage Called as Witness.
The railroads called in Tax Com
issioner Cartilage to destroy their
owl sworn statements concerning the
value of their property. Mr.. Cartilage
testified frankly that the statements
furnished to the state board of rail-
road assessors. supposed to be a one
third valuation on the railway lines
were merely nominal and maent not
much of anything.
A. E. Helm offered in evidence the
reports of the state auditor showing
the valuation of railroads as fixed by
the railroad assessors of the state. NJ.
A. Low objected to this and Commits
sioner Prouty sustained the objection.
I'VE have these tables of yours. Mr.
Helm" he said, land they contain the
statements of the railroads them
selves as to the value of their prop
erty. That is the best evidence
A. E. Helm also succeeded in getting
Commissioner Prouty to assist him In
dragging copy of the last annual re-
port of the Rock Island road out of
apparently unwilling officials. Mr.
Helm wanted to introduce this report
into evidence. Several times when
Mr.. Helm had tried to get Mr.. Low to
furnish a copy, Mr.. Low had replied
bluntly Il haven't any" He implied
that he didn't intend to get any
Mr.. Helm intimated again that he
would put one of the Rock Island Of
fcialS on the stand, if necessary in or
der to get a copy of the report.
IT said 1 had no copy of the report
said Mr.. Low. mr.. Pierce says he
has
Wont you send Mr. Helm a copy
of your report, Mr.. Pierce?" said Com
missioner Prouty. suddenly turning to
the Rock Island official.
Yes, SIR said Pierce meekly. and
he and Mr.. Low grinned at each other
called by Helm for the plaintiffs i'm
mediately after the lunch hour. Mr.
Stevens proposed a new schedule of
rates which he stated would be salts
factory ito the railroads, to the shin
pers, to the producers, to the miiIers
and to the consumer"
There is no uhe going any further. If
that is the case" interrupted Commits
sioner Clark. If this schedule will
please all OF those interests it will Ger.
tainly please u.s.
Mr.. Stevens was asked to place an es.
innate upon the total milling capacity
of Kansas but was unable to do So s
D. Yoder, of Kansas City, was called
and he testified that the daily capacity
of all the mills in Kansas is 200 900 bar
rels of flour.
Ask Railroads Witnesses for Figures
The testimony of the railroad com
panies was confined to the testimony
of ]. r. Koontz. general freight agent
of the Santa Fe, and Tax Commissioner
Cartilage.
H r. Embry. general freight agent
OF the Rock Island, was called to the
stand by A. E. Helm.
Both MIR. Koontz and Mr.. Embry were
asked by Commissioner Prouty to fur
nish to the commission a statement
showing the number of cars of wheat
oats and corn shipped during 1906 from
Kansas points to Kansas City, and the
number of cars shipped to Galveston
and other points. The same information
was also requested relating to shin
ments from Oklahoma. Both of the
freight experts agreed to furnish this
information.
The case was concluded Tuesday af-
ternoon with the exception of the testi-
mony or j. Z. Hurley, who was placed
on The stand this morning by the rail-
ROADS TO testify concerning the amount
or baIlasted track in Kansas, and other
matters concerning the physical condi-
ton of the road.