The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-04

.hoflty do you assume to amend the
Jaw! L don't believe that Inere is
enough political. pressure to warrant
tne board in taxing any such action
MT. Lathrop urged that the increase
In wages, and the desire of the COM
panfes to improve the roads and equip
menu would consume all the available
earnings of the railroads. and he de-
nleo that the railroads are earning
none, too fast. He produced figures
20 snow that during the past, ten years.
the average earnings of the Santa Fe
cent.
Madden Defends Hoch.
John Madden, attorney for the Mis-
souri,. Kansas & Texas then came to
the defense of Governor Hoch.' He
said in part:
After friendship of 5 years, can
not believe that Governor Hoch at
! tempted to dictate to this commission
what II should do. 1 believe that what
ne mad in mind was that the present
condition demanded investigation. I'm
I'll L returned a few days ago from
colorado. unders TODD that the ques-
tlon az issue here would be the reason
aoleness of the 2-cent fare. / still be-
lleve that this was what Governor
Hoch had in mind. 1 think that we
are all at a loss to know what the is
| sues are. Mr.. Grattan says that the
oniy question is whether an emergency
exists. am prepared to go into the
question as to whether a 2-cent a mile
rate is reasonable rate. have tables
mere comparing the passenger receipts
OK cur line and the passenger earnings.
am prepared to offer that class OF
test1m ony to this board Il it is desired
we also offer that class of evil
oence, said Mr.. Wagsener and we
protest against any order based on any
other class of evidence"
The only Question here" said Mr..
Grattan. lis that of the emergency. We
are not talking about the reasonable
ness or a 2-cent fare order. When we
have to take up that cues ton. we will
take 1t up in court But for the pres
emit the only question is whether this
board has the auth GRITTY. under the ex-
listing conditions. to order in the 2
cent rare as an emergency rate.
Then it looks as though there was
nothing further. to be said" replied
Mr.. Waggener fa-
Loonis Tells of Legislative Fight.
N H. Loomis then addressed the
board on behalf of the Union Pacific.
Mr. Loomis discussed especially the
work of the legislature on the 2-cent
fare bill. He said:
eve wanted the legislature to leave
the Whole question to this board, but II
refused. 1t insisted upon taking up the
question. We had a joint session of
the house and senate railroad commit
tees at which the whole question was
discussed. Figures and arguments were
given to the committee. We showed
that the Leavenworth. Kansas & West
ern and the Leavenworth & Topeka
can not possibly operate at a profit on
a 2-cent basis. The member from
Leavenworth on this board knows that
to be the case. 1t was also shown that
on the Union Pacific line from Salina
to Colby, the operation of a passenger
train from Plainville to Colby can not
be conducted prof1tably on a 2-cent
basis. When it was demonstrated to
the railroad committees that a 2-cent
rate was impra ctical, the railroads pro-
posed to put in the mileage book plan,
and the railroads agreed to accept such
law without opposition. Therefore,
believe that under this agreement
the mileage book rates should be al
lowed to remain in effect for a reason
able time. and that no change should
be made at present either by this board
or by a special session of the legisla-
ture. You are not acting in good faith
on behalf of the state if you compel US,
or attempt to compel us, to put in this
2-cent fare" S&
At the conclusion of Mr.. Loomis'