The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-14
CARR TAYLOR'S STORY.
Tells Why He Was Not Able to Make
Office More Effective.


Carr w. Taylor, attorney for the state
board of railroad commissioners, has
! placed in the hands of Governor Hoch
a printed statement of the needs of the
state board of railroad commissioners,
| and recommendations for new railroad
| legislation.
| Mr. Taylor also explains. in his state
| ment, why he has been handicapped in
| his work during the term of office which
he is just completing. This explana-
| tion is of especial interest because of
| the fact that hard fight is being made
on TayIor's reappointment, on the
ground that he has not shown himself
competent. Mr.. Taylor says in speak
ing of this matter:
From the experience I have had as
attorney for the board of railroad com
missioners, I have found, in order to
successfully administer and execute the
railroad laws of this state for the gov
ernment and the regulation of the rail-
roads through the board of railroad
commissioners, that ii is absolutely nee
essary to give the board of railroad
commissioners and the attorney for the
board all of the powers and aids that
will enable them to accomplish the de-
sired result.
I'm the first place, I believe that the
legislature should give to the board Of
railroad commissioners and the attor-
ney for the board sufficient contingent
fund to enable them to make thorough
Investigations of conditions relative to
freight rates and the conduct and man
agement of the railroads within this
state.
THE last legislature gave con-
tingent fund to the board of $4,000
per annum. The board decided that
this fund could. not be used for the
purpose of employing expert account
ants and rate men; so in all of the
cases that I commenced before the
board for the reduction of rates in
Kansas 1 was compelled to proceed to
trial upon nonexpert testimony, when
the conditions existing in this state
warranted the employment of experts
to analyze and disclose the true facts.
But even If the decision of the
board had been different. the con-
tingent fund of $4,000, above men
toned, would have been wholly insult
hcient. Therefore. 1 would respect
fully suggest that you recommend the
legislature to provide a contingent
fund of at least $4,000 for the year
the year ending June 80, 1909. From
an investigation, I find that contin-
gent fund of those amounts would not
be too large. The legislature of the
the sum of $31, 900 to its railroad COM
mission for all purposes, while the
legislature of Minnesota made an ap-
preparation of $4,000 per annum. In
both these states. however. the COM
missions have, by direction of the law,
made Investigations as to the value
and cost of the railroad properties of
their respective states. and in order
properties the commissions were COM
PEELED to employ civil engineers to
make the estimates"
Mr. Taylor recommends that the
Texas law concerning valuation of rail-
road property be adopted in Kansas.
He also advises that the railroads be
compelled to establish and maintain |
passenger and freight depots at Kansas
City, Kan. SO that freight may be bill |
ed to Kansas City, Kan, and avoid be-
ing made an interstate shipment by |
crossing into Missouri.
At present, Kansas City, Kan, |
though the largest city in the state, is |
off the map, so far as the railroads are |
concerned Freight can't be shipped to !
Kansas City, Kan.
Mr.. Taylor does not think it necessary |
to pass a maximum freight law for any |
except grain. He says the |
board of railroad commissioners should |
be left with the duty of fixing other |
rates.
Concerning the cent fare PROPOSE |
ton. Mr.. Taylor suggests that the cas- |
lest way to change the present fare of /
8 cents is to amend paragraph $3.50 of |
the general statutes by inserting two"
instead of three" The law now fixes |
the rate al cents.
A good many other changes of i'm
portance are recommended in the pres
ent railroad law. In fact. to make all |
the changes suggested by Mr.. Taylor
would require a complete overhauling
of the railroad law enacted at the last
session of the legislature.
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