The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-04-11
WOULD L[CALlE
THE ALTON DEAL
ILLINOIS DEMOCRATS DISCOVER
HIDDEN HAND OF HARRI-
MAN IN BILL.
PASSAGE IS PRfvTE1EO
BY Legislators Who Demand Liaht
on Mystery Measure"-Fol
Attempt to Rush it by Re.
publican Chairman.

Springfield, H., April i0.--E II
Harriman's hand was seen today in
tho manipulations of what has come
TO be known as the Great Mystery
bill OF the legislature" being house
measure introduced and rushed aheat
under extraordinary circumstances b.
Chairman Guy L. Bush of the com
NIT ee on RAILROADS.
Todays moves centered around the
attempt OF Chairman Cicero j. Indy
Of the Republican house steering com.
mittee to pass 1t quietly. but his
answers to requests for information
were SO unsatisfactory that it was
held on third reading. A motion by
Hull 10 strike out the enacting clause
Is pending.
When Donohne and Daugherty had
objected To consideration OF the Bill
Indy explained that 1t merely rati-
fled the consolidation Of certain dock
properties and stub-end railroads in
Chicago The roads involved are
said to be parts of the Chicago June.
ton and Dock railways, which have
$4,000 of outstanding bonds held by
the Illinois Trust and Savings bank
Blocked by Democrats.
A dozen Democrats were on their
feet to object.
There seems To be some mystery
regarding this measure" said Hull III
support Of his motion 10 kin the bill.
II was apparently reported out OF
the railroads committee without &C,
ton by that committee and simply on
Che initiative Of the chairman. Who
drew up this bill? Who Is behind
it?"
Allen proposed postponsment of
further consideration until Thursday
and this az done.
McGoorty. Boulware aud other Law.
Yer members OF the house at once
Started an investigation of the bin
Their study disclosed that. while on
Us face It purports to validate rail-
road consultations and bond issues
between 1872 and 1884. there arc
other clauses that not only authorize
any railroad mergers and bond issues
hereunder, regardless of date, but
also would permit railways to recover
II the cases where bonds issued as
bonuses to railways by counties OF The
state in the days Of subsidies have
leen ontlawed or contested.
Would Make Alton Deal Legal.
This bill.' said McGoorty. after
lis @udy Of It, would validate the
Jhicago and Alton bond issues under
he Hartman regime. whiyh Attorney
General Stead has pointed out were
contrary to the state constitution. al.
bough perhaps not now assaiabic
BECAUSE they are in the hands Of third
PERSONS"
Attorney General Stead also is Of
he opinion that he Alton bond Is.
Mes under Hartman would be vail
lated by the passage of the bill.
There are also hundreds Of thou
lands of dollars worth Of bonds. u.s.
ued as bonuses for railroad construc. |
ion years ago, but now uncollectable. |
hat would be made valid and collect
BILE by the railroads" said Boulware. |
"Tbe section 10 which McGoorty |
nd Boulware pointed includes the .
GLOWING;
Every Indebtedness heretofore |
reated and every contract entered |
nto in the name of said company are
eieby ratified. approved and con.
Tmed."
In view Of its sweeping nature. IL |
= an outrageous bill said Daugh
rty ANY merger could be validated /
nder IL, and many doubtless would /
ome under its provisions. F."