Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-21
WINDUP ON RATE HEARINGS
Board Has Concluded with Exception
Of Railroad Employees.
RAILROADS PLEAD POVERTY
State Board OF Asssssment by UnRni-
nous Vote Selects Christopher
sehavland of Madison
County ne Secretary.
(From a staff correspondent)

NETOm a EtAht NOTTtHHohothNsl
LINCOLN, May 20.--(Special THE gem
eral hearing on the proposition OF reduc-
tion OF freight rates in Nebraska closed
this afternoon and no further presentation
viii take place unless the railway commits
sion asks for a supplemental hearing. The
railway employees are yet 10 be heard. The
commission assembled at 30 to hear the
Burlington railroad representatives. Talks
were made by G. r. Spens, general freight
agent Of the Burlington lines west, General
Solicitor J. f. Kelby of the same road,
Freight Traffic Manager J. A. Munroe of
the Union Pacific. and General Solicitor N.
II. Loomis Of the Union Pacific. II the
statements made by the railroad men are
true the railway commission is in close
quarters. The railroad men allege that the
commission must base rates in Nebraska
only on business beginning and ending
IN the stale, and must not consider traffic
through the state. beginning in the state
and ending outside or originating outside
the state and terminating within the state.
After this Is done, according to the railway
attorneys who quote the Wisconsin Rail-
way commission as authority, so per cent
OF the value of the lines and equipment IN
the state must be taken as the basis for
dividend earning, so per cent OF the equip
ment having been found necessary to carry
purely state traffic Mr.. Kelby said the
Burlington earns only per cent on its
taxable value in Nebraska on state busi-
ness, and Mr.. Munroe said the Union Pa
ciflc earns only per cent on Nebraska
business.
General Freight Agent spens confined his
talk to the difference in conditions between
Iowa and Nebraska, and sought to show
thatt he density OF traffic in Nebraska is
about 90 per cent of the density of traffic
in Iowa, and that the cost of carrying de-
creases with the increase of density of
traffic lie said he did not blame the ship
pers of Nebraska for comparing Nebraska
and Iowa rates, but he thought when they
understood the conditions they would un-
derstand the matter .s.
c. ]. Alger Of Leigh, succeeded in getting
through an amendment professionally ex-
communicating any doctor who does not
abide by the recognized standards of the
canlng. One of the amendments is as fol-
lows "@# 'tNA1l
ANY physician, not in good standing with
the county association Of this county shall
be refused professional intercourse by each
physician except tne ex.re@ hega Sr sinn ine
of this rule
schavIand Chosen Secretary.
Christopher schavaland of Madison, was
the unanimous choice of the State Board of
Assessment for secretary this afternoon.
The election occurred on the first ballot.
Mr. Schavaland was born in Norway and
Is Al years of age He served eight years
in the office Of clerk of the district court
of Madison county. four years as county
treasurer and seven years as secretary OF
a building and loan association. The salary
is 81 900 year. The board will begin work
at once on the assessment of railroad prop
erty.
Prisoner objects to Quarters.
Attorney II. NJ Sullivan has applied for
a writ of mandamus in the supreme court
to compel the sheriff of Custer county to
take James' N. Garland to another jail
where sanitary conditions are better than
in tie Custer county Jail. Garland is
charged with murder. but cannot be tried
until September, The supreme court will
hear the case June 2.
Express Company Reports.
The Pacific Express company. after sew
eral months of coaxing by the State Rail-
way Commission to conform to the law.
today filed It's Nebraska station report with
the eomission. The other express compan-
les have not yet reported.
New Plan to Encourage Drill.
The adjutant generals office has been
paying % cents a week to each member
OF the Nebraska National guard who ap-
pears at the weekly drill, and is also pay
ing officers service pay, or an increase In
pay in accordance with the length of time
served in one office. 1t is yet difficult TO
say whether the new plan has resulted
in much Improvement in attendance at
drill. stt
4 Corn for Omaha show.
planning for a large representation Of Ne
braska corn at the show to be held at
Omaha. December 10 to 49, met last night
70 complete arrangements for the growing
and exhibition Of corn. William EIpst OF