The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-10
General Manager of Santa Fe
Before Commerce Commission.
Tells of Increased Expenses Of
the Company.
HEARING AT AN END.
Oklahoma and Wichita Cases
Consolidated With Topeka.
Argument to Be Heard in Wash.
ingtOn Early I'm June.

At 1850 this morning the taking Of
testimony in the interstate commerce
commission grain rate hearing came 70
| an end. and il was announced by Com
missioner Prouty that the cases will be
argued in the city Of Washington be-
fore the whole commission on the 7th
and Sth of June.
The commission also consolidated the
two Oklahoma cases heard at wichita
with the two Kansas cases heard at
Topeka, and will hear all the cases at
one time, and on the same briefs The
issues involved are the same
Inc eomplalnants are given until May
10 10 nle their briefs. after which the
defendants Will have ten days for re-
ply The complainants will then have
nNe days TO answer. This will bring
the time for argument close at hand
II was also announced by Mr.. Prouty
that the time for argument of the case
viii be limited.
The session of the commission this
morning was devoted to hearing the
testimony of J. E Hurley. general man
ager of the Santa Fe railway Mr. Hur-
ley hrst submitted a tabulated state
ment showing that the increases in
wages for employees agreed upon dur
ing the past six months will mean an
Increase of $3.50 900 in the annual paw
roll of the company
In response to a question from Com
missioner Clark. Mr.. Hurley stated that
about 16 per cent of this amount would
be overtime
DO you think said Mr.. Prouty.
that the returns Of the railroad con-
corning the day wage to the interstats
commission for the year 1883 could be
fairly compared with the report for the
current year?''
ley -
Mr.. Hurley was then questioned con-
cerning the miles of baIlasted track in
Kansas. He stated that the total num-
Der OF miles OF main track is 2S76, OF
which 1.259 is baliasted. He also stated
that there are sos miles of main line in
Oklahoma, of whicS 80 are baIIasted
What do you pay per yard for NOV
ing earth in your construction work -
asked Commissioner Prouty.
From 20 to 80 cents" replied Mr..
Hurley w r. StUbbs said on the
give S1.000,000 bond to reproduce the
grading on all Kansas lines at IA cents
a yard Mr.. Hurley stated that his
figures included a free haul.
A E Helm asked Mr.. Hurley II he
could produce the original contracts
for the construction of certain lines of
Kansas road, showing what the actual
original cost of construction was. Mr..
Hurley thought he could get the in
formation
I'VE ask the commission to request
that this Information be furnished
said Mr.. Helm.
II hardly think that will be neces-
sary." said Commissioner Prouty. after
a consultation with Commissioner
Clark. Mr.. Hurd can present that
evidence If he desires to do so. other
wise Won have the uncontrad dirted
testimony of Mr.. Stubbs. The COM
mission has taken a good deal of testi-
mony on this matter, showing that
railroads cost all the way from So
900 to $4,000 per mile
Mr.. Hurley was asked concerning
the increase in the cost Of conducting
transportation
For the month of February" he
said. the increase I'm cost per ton per
mile over last year was 26 per cent"
"Of what did that 26 per cent con-
sist?' asked COMMISSIONS Prouty.
That's Just what the president
asked me- replied Hurley. "and 1
haven't got it quite all located yet
Your net earnings said Mr.. Helm.
spite of increased cost of operation.
are they?"
'sNo, thanks to the interstate com
merce commission and the Hepburn
bill. we have been helped some" re-
piled Mr.. Hurley.
f'By that you mean that you have
been getting full pay on your freight
charges %
''WeII, I don't know exactly" re-
piled Mr.. Hurley I'VE have been able
to keep hold Of the money"
The cost of ballasting was then in
vestiga1ed. Mr.. Hurley said that three
the Santa Fe. One kind requires
a bout $500 yards of crushed rock per
mile a second grade takes 2.S00 yards
and a third takes 2.400 yards The
cost is 81 per yard The $500 yard
ballast is used only on the portions of
the main line under the heaviest traf-
&c.
At the request of Mr.. Helm, Mr.
Hurley agreed to furnish the commits
sion with exact figures on the cost of
the Kinsley cut off, now
IN progress.
James Nation Recalled.
State Auditor James Nation was re-
called by the railroad companies ans
testified from his annual report con-
Kansas He stated that the average
assessed value of land is S4.19 per
acre; that in Pratt county the land is
assessed at s3.06 per acre. and IN
Meade county at s1.51 per acre. Mr..
Nation was called upon to testify as
10 the real value of Kansas lands, the
object being to show that the railroad
property in the state is assessed on a
higher basis than the other property
W. w Palmer. a Cloud county far
ner. was the last witness placed on
the stand Mr.. Palmer was called by
SIr- Helm. and testified that the cost Of
raising wheat had. increased about so
per cent Of recent years. and that there
S not much profit in raising wheat on
account of the high cost Of produc-
ion. He said that he made money on
mis- corn. but very little on his wheat
Pfth of Kansas Contention
Why should interior Kansas wheat
,enters many miles nearer the gulf
pay a greater freight than Kansas
-ity shippers
That is the real point of interest In