Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-19
Wilson Sidesteps

Wilson Sidesteps
SAN FRANCISCO. Oct. 1S.-Railway
Commissioner Andrew NJ. Wilson was the
only member of the state board who
could be found here by The Herald rep
resentative when an attempt was made
to secure from the commissioners replies
to the editorial In The Herald. Mr.. VIII
son demonstrated marked ability in side
stepping pointed questions and took ref
uge in evasion. The reporter put the
direct query whether or not railway rates
have been established and published in
accordance with the cited provisions of
the constitution, and Mr. Wilson an
swered by referring to the section of the
railway board" This 1section 8 of the
acts of 1880 reads: "All complaints be-
fore the board shall be in writing ard
under OATH
Mr. Wilson declared the railway COM
missioners had never acted except upon
complaints and that the complaints must
be in writing and under OATH las the
code says" He refused to answer simply
yes or no.
Always Awaits Complaints
When asked how any provision of the
civil code could nullify a provision of the
state constitution he said that 1t could
not, but added THE board has never
acted, except on complaints
Then, as an afterthought, he added:
why, we have not any money to nyes-
tigate these railroads. any way. The last
legislature didn't give us a cent We
can't afford to employ detectives and
secret service men to examine the rail-
roads books and uncover secret agree
ments as Commissioner Lane did,
But does NOT the mower of SuhDOpna-
ing witnesses obviate the necessity of ex-
pense?' he was asked.
We'll. yes was the hesitating answer,
but we have never acted, except on COM
plants"
When asked question two, if in giving
reba tes, as confessed before Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Lane, 1t was
found that the Southern Pacific company
had violated the penal clause of the con-
stitution relating to determinations, the
commissioner would appeal to the courts
to punish the guilty corporation in pur-
suance of the law, Commissioner Wilson
said:
'If Commissioner Lane desires to bring
the matter to the attention of the board
we will examine into it, and if the law has
been found to be violated we will, OF
course. act as we are required by the
constitution"
Railroads Always Fix Rates
Asked if an aggrieved shipper or any
citizen would not have the right to file
such information with the commission, if
in fact Commissioner Lane would have
the right, or If it would be his duty TO
interfere in state affairs, Mr. Wilson an
swered: well, 1 suppose that is so, too. "
Commissioner Wilson declared that the
board is always ready and willing to do
what is wanted of it, if it can, but be-
cause of Its poverty and also because II
never has done otherwise, it never acts
except on complaints.
I'VE have examined and published rates
filed with us by the railroads" Mr.. Will
son asserted, lever since l have been
with the board. Every month we put out
rates and schedules which have been
given to US by the railroads to pass upon
and we often change them before they are
accepted"
Commissioner Wilson said that he had
examined and read his civil code otter
and carefully, but he had never heard Of
the provisions of the state constitution
relating to the duties of the railway com
mission until it had been brought to his
| attention by The Herald.