The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-25
Competition Between Union
and Southern Pacific.
So Orders the California Rail
road Commission.
ROADS DISSOLvING MERGER.
Under Orders of u. S. Supreme
Court.
State Board Does Not Like
Plans of Attorney General.

San Francisco, Feb. 25.-Open COM
petition between the Union Pacific and
| the Southern Pacific railways, the two
great component parts of the Hartman
system and no favors from one to the
other because of their past connection,
are the only terms under which the
California state railroad commission
will approve the unmerging steps now
being taken in compliance with the
U. S. supreme court order for d1sSolu-
ton. In a decision handed down late
last night bearing on the situation OF
the L. P. for a 999-year lease of the
Southern Pacific connecting link be-
tween Oakland and Sacramento, known
as the Benicia short line, and further
declared that wherever the Southern
Pacific granted the u. p. subsidiary IN
California the Central Pacific joint use
of its terminal facilities and industry
tracks it should grant the same pr1-
vileges to any other competing line on
similar terms. Western Pacific railroad
also demanded equal rights with the
Central Pacific for their roads, and
were upheld in each instance in the de-
cision. On the main point the exclu-
sive lease of the Benicia short line, the
decision reads:
IF the Southern Pacific grants the
Central Pacific the right to use the
Benicia short line, it shall accord to all
the competing like privilege on similar
terms
This ruling of the commission to-
sether with it's findings on the other
points in the application and a general
statement of it's attitude towards the
dissolution were telegraphed Immediate
Iv TO Attorney General Wicfzersham at
St. Louis. where the dissolution plans
are being considered in the federal
court.
Criticism for Wickersham.
The telegram contained a strong crit
icism of the plans as previously agreeo
upon in Washington between Attorney
General Wickersham and the railroad
official and a method of bringing about
the dissolution is suggested. 1nsteau
of forcing the Southern Pacific to sell
the Central Pacific line from Ogden to
San Francisco the commission reports
the Central Pacific be leased for a long
term of years to the Union Pacific,
thus making a through line for the
Union Pacific from Omaha to San
Francisco.
Leases Approved.
The other requests contained in the
Joint application of the Southern Pa
cific and Central Pacific respecting GER
tain leases and transfers in the final
dissolution contract were approved
These include:
Lease bv Central Pacific to Southern
Pacific of its line from Tehana to the
Oregon line for a term of 999 years.
Joint trdCkaSS rights over BAY SHORE
cutoff from Redwood City to San Fran
cisco for a term of so years.
Sale by Central Pacific to Southern
Pacific Of the California portion of the
line from Weed to Natron, Ore.
Further conditions to the un1nerging
contemplated by Mr.. Wiclzersham and
the railroad officials in their agree
nent in addition to the denial to the
Central Pacific of special features from
the Southern Pacific are set forth as
follows:
1.-THE Central Pacific is limited to the
line from Sacramento by way of Niles
to Oakland as an exclusive line
Yet to Pass ON Valuations.
Commission reserves right to pass
upon valuations for rental and sale
purposes when arrived at under the
method provided in the contract
Commission imposes condition that
Central and Southern Pacific shall file
joint rates which shall not exceed the
rates now IN effect between the same
points upon the Southern Pacific with
in the state of California Commission
provides its approval shall not serve to
revive or extend any franchises of
companies involved Commission re-
quests all railroads involved shall bind
themselves to accept condition iTnpos-
ed before order becomes effective,