The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-04-14

corporation or one with II forming
lparts Of an entire business, and ex-
empts such companies from reporting,
inspection, maintenance of Offices and
books as provided by constitution in
sections named"
In support of the amendment, Dor
set Carter of Purcell, president of the
Oklahoma Central railroad says:
1T is absolutely impossible to get
any trunk line to make an extension
in Oklahoma at the present time. l
wish the people of this state could
know the trouble we have had with
our road and the difficulties we have
had trying to tide it over a financial
crisis since statehood. Just prior to
the adoption of the constitution we
were offered three million dollars for
the line. Then came the constitution
and the panic, and the former has
kept us from recovering from the ef-
fects of the latter. The Oklahoma
Central's market value shrank under
these conditions more than a million
dollars.
Many people think there is little to
talk that the railroads cannot build,
but it is well night impossible for
them to undertake new construction
work. Supposing the Frisco wanted
to extend its Award line, as it has fire.
quently been reported that it wanted
to do, the Frisco cannot exercise the
right of eminent domain, hence can
not get the right-of-way for the road,
for no right-of-way can be secured
without condemning land through
which it is proposed to run the road
Then if separate corporation is form
ed to build the extension, as such ex-
tensions are always built, the new cor
poration cannot consolidate with the
Frisco after the line is built, under
our laws. And finally no officer in
the new corporation. So the Frisco
is effectually shut out from having
anything to do with the road which
it desires to control and operate"
Speaking of that part of the consti-
tuition which requires that every rail-
road doing business in this state hold
"a meeting of its board of directors at
least once each year in Oklahoma, Mr..
Carter said that this precedent, if fol-
lowed out by other states, would COM
pei the roads to carry an expense each
of from 100000 to 100000 per year
for something which did the state
making the requirements absolutely
no good. The directors could comply
with the law by making a five min
utes stay in the state.
1--WE are not objecting to the COM
plete control which the corporation
commission exercises over rates, train
service, time tables or anything else.
No attempt is being made to curtail
the powers of that commission or to
make the railroads less amendable to
the powers of the state reading
of the proposed amendment will show
clearly that the powers of the COM
mission are not interferred with in
the least All we ask is that sections
s and 8 of article 8, which prohibits
the financing of any new road or the
extension of an old one, be so chang
ed that we can market our bonds and
get to work on needed extensions"
The permanent state capital prop
osition to be submitted to a vote of |
the people is known as the Oklahoma
City plan. In brief it places the cities
of Oklahoma City, Shawnee and Guth-
rie, the avowed candidates for the per-
state capital into the initia-
tive and referendum race, although |
neither of the last named towns par
ticipated in the petition efforts. The |
act provides for state capital com.
and makes an appropriation [
" @VbOfoN0 ~ 1o1fy Vt0N ioIOiS vi Tie 1
act into effect. The capital may be
located not to exceed five miles from
the town receiving the highest num-
ber of votes of the people, and the
state capital commission fixes the ex-
act location thereon. If no town re-
eeives majority vote in the first cleo
ton, a second election may be held,
providing the town receiving highest
vote makes provisions for paying the
expenses. The state stands the cost
If the first election.
Guthrie was made the capital when
Oklahoma territory was organized and
n order to keep the question out of
Affairs the enabling act contained
clause which prevents the submission
If the question to vote of the people
until after 1918.
The state constitution accepted the
erms of the enabling act by an ordi-
lance. 1t is now claimed by capital
'emoval advocates that the capital re-