The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-11-17
COMMISSION EXPOSES THE
RAILROAD COMPANYS WAYS
In Other States Jursts Have Been Msled BY Percentage
Formula Chairman Love Submits Figures Showing
Number Of Passengers Carried Per Mile on Katy
and Santa Fe--Shows Earnings Of Both to
Be Greater Since Statehood

The corporation commission is try
ing to keep the people informed as to
the status Of the case Of the Oklahoma
railroads to set aside the freight and
passenger rates.
Chairman Love says
IN view Of the fact that there is
persistent attempt being made on the
part of the Katy and Santa Fe'' to
mislead the Oklahoma press by stating
that their operations in Oklahoma are
conducted at loss, it is time that the
people be correctly informed.
In other states the railroads have
seriously misIead iurists by using
their formula in ascribing the operat-
ing expenses of such states, and then
making another apportionment of op-
Grafton expenses for strictly interstate
traffic on the revenue basis; that is,
on the ratio in per cent that the strict
Iy Interstate reyenue is to the total
intrastate and states proportion Of
interstate revenue, and doubling the
expense thus ascertained. AS an illus
tration. take two carloads Of wheat to
Guthrie, one from. Arkansas City lin
terstate) and one from NewkirlK, Okla,
interstate):
Revenues.
Interstate Car !. $500 or 55 per cent
oklahoma Car !. $4,000 or As per cent
Total $4,000 or 100 per cent
Seventy per cent of gross revenueS
is said to be an average for operating
expenses; 70 per cent of revenues from
these two shipments would be 5000
Now the railroads want to ascribe As
per cent Of $1,000 or $3.50 and then.
double it making the total expense
against Oklahoma's car $4,000, show
ing deficit ON the Oklahoma car Of
$500; on the other hand. the ex-
penses of hauling the interstate ear
is only $500, leaving profit Of $500
on the interstate car. It is indeed per
culiar why learned men could not see
this absurdity and this fallacy-
Why did the judges in Arkansas and
Missouri cases fail to apply the rail
roads formula on the other hand to
interstate business and thus expose
the resulting exorbitant or unreal pro-
fit on interstate traffic?
In order to let the press aud the
people have at least some semblance
to the truth. l will state that all the
figures that follow have been taken
from reports of the katy and santa
Fe'' to the corporation commission,
which reports have been subscribed
and sworn to by the principal officers
Of the railroads. The Santa Fe' and
Katy" show they have paid all oper-
ating expenses, rentals, taxes. interest
on bonds, together with dividends on
stock on their entire business, and
transferred substantial balances to
unappropriated surplus
In view of these undisputed facts.
the following figures and comparisons
clearly illustrate to any sensible Ok
lahoman that many prominent raik
road executive officials great major
ity Of whom are ''Woolies" who have
been chosen to high offices. as a rule.
on account of their tinanciering ability
than on account of their special knowl-
edge Of railroading, are grossly in
competent when it comes to judging
the true earning power of the proper
ties under their immediate manage
ment, a part OF such properties being
located in Oklahoma.
The year 1909. compared with the
banner year before statehood. l. e.
1907, discloses this fact. Number of
passengers carried one mile per mile
of road:
On the Katy:
1909 Entire line .113.347
1909 State of Oklahoma 49,. 1858
1907 Entire line .......... 90.169
On the Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe:
1909 Entire line ..... 1857
1909 State Of Oklahoma .ISzsSO
1907 Entire line .... $500
Passenger earning per mile Of road
On the Katy"
1909 Entire line ......s 2,64s53
1909 State Of Oklahoma -. 2.s5ll1|
On the G. G. q S. F.:
1903 Entire line ......... 2,2S905
1909 State Of Oklahoma i. 8.Sso.sS
1907 Entire line ....... 2254ol