Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-07
Nebraska
MAY co THROUGH BOOKS
Experts Likely to Be Needed in the
Railroad Rate Cases.
VISITS COMMISSION
Frank r.. HeIvey Denies He f.
Violating the Presidents Order
in Regard to Participating
in Politics.
CFrom a Staff Correspondent

Nfrom a starr correspondent
LINCOLN, oct. G-(Special)-The State
Railway commission may be forced to in
vestigate the books and records Of some Of
the railroads that are in federal court OBJ
jecting to the enforcement Of the 2-cent
fare law, the Aldrich commodity rate law
and the anti-pass law and other regula-
tory acts passed by the legislature of 1907.
II this step is necessary the commission
will employ an expert accountant and en-
power him to employ a large force of
accountants to investigate records and ac-
counts for the purpose OF gathering evil
dence TO meet the testimony introduced by
the railway companies.
G. w. Hillman Of Louisville, KY, who
did similar work in Minnesota, held a con-
ference with the State Railway commission
today in regard to such proposed work in
Nebraska. The commission may employ
Mr.. Hillman as its chief accountant in
charge Of the proposed investigation Of
railroad accounts.
Helvey Not Yet official.
Frank E. Helvey. who is in charge Of the
republican state committees press bureau,
denies that he has failed to observe the
direction Of President Taft against census
officials taking an active part in politics.
Helvey declares that the rule merely for
bids such participation during his term OF
office, which, according to his understand
ing. has not yet begun. Until he actually
starts working for the government, he
does not consider that his term Of office
has commenced, and therefore he considers
that he has the right to hold a position
with the state committee. This view is
also held by Chairman Hayward.
1t all depends on when the term Of office
begins. Helvey received his commission
as census supervisor for the First Ne
braska district a week or two ago. which
was official notice that he would be noti-
fled when to take up the work. He is not
expecting this to be before the first Of the
year, and as he interprets the rule he is
at liberty to remain in the state commit
tees employ until the census bureau calls
upon him for his services. HIS is not now
drawing any pay as supervisor.
Complaint Against Express Company.
Failure to provide sufficient facilities
Tor the prompt transportation of shipments
delivered to it is the basis OF a complaint
to the State Railway commission filed
against the Adams Express company by
the Lincoln Commercial club, acting for the
Appel Mercantile company. The charge is
made that while the business of the ex-
press corporation has increased 20 per cent
within a year or so no more wagons have
been put on to take care of it and no at
tempt is being made to see hat the needs
of shippers receive proper attention
Sometimes a consignment of goods that
should go out one day is held over to an
other, the complaint states. AS a result,
the firm which makes it has lost some
customers. One patron at David City and
one at Wahoo quit because they couldn't
get goods on time. The Appel concern
alleges even when the express wagon comes
around and gets the stuff It frequently
happens hat the goods are not shipped
out from the depot the same day, or II
shipped out are sidetracked at some way
point before reaching their destinations.
The Commercial club is pressing a griev-
ance Of Union Pacific shippers on freight
service to Ellsworth and other points in
Kansas, by taking it up directly with the
officials of the company, 1t is declared
a common thing for cargoes TO be delayed
two days or more on the way from Lincoln.
Kansas customers OF Lincoln houses write
that they can often get goods from Chicago
more quickly than from here. The Com
mercial club is insisting that this condition
be remedied.