The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-19
TWO COUNTIES


NCOHtinueu 9dge OneD
largely responsible for saving the rail-
road for Scott and Logan counties. He
was called into the case on Saturday
night and the application was heard
by Judge Pollock Monday morning.
Stones proposition to let the two
counties operate the railroad met with
court favor. though. Now the entire
solution of the matter is up to the
voters. If the townships of the two
counties vote the necessary bonds
they will save the road. If the bonds
are beaten, the trust company will sell
the rails for old iron.
Wartime prices of steel gave the
st. Louis trust company a great oppor-
tunity to protect investments in the
railroad. Estimates before the fed
eral court showed that the road could
be saliva ged at a figure somewhere be-
tween 100000 and 100000. Judge
Pollock told Stone he would give the
counties a chance to take over the rail
road if they wanted to vote bonds for
the saliva ge value of the property. But
it was found that the townships could
not vote more than So, 900 in bonds for
each mile of road. The road is fifty
miles long. That meant $250.o00 net.
"WiH you take $250,000 for the
road ?" Judge Pollock asked represen-
tatives of the trust company. The
lawyers talked it over. Refusal meant
litigation over junking the road, even
though Judge Pollock held a corpora
ton could not be compelled to operate
a railroad that constantly lost money.
I'VE will take it," said the trust
company lawyers.
So Judge Pollock has entered a de-
cree giving the counties ninety days
in which to arrange for buying the
road.
North and South Project.
The road is a north and south pro-
ject that failed financially. Last
year the revenues of the road were
$4,000. The operating expenses
were $4,000. During the last five
years the Commonwealth Trust COM
pany has pocketed 100000 in losses
on the road. Year after year the
trust company smiled and tried to
forget. Then it advanced the propo-
sition of junking the road, charging
off the losses and wiping the line off
the railroad map.
But the western counties wanted
the road. 1t is the only railroad con-
Meeting several towns in Scott and
Logan counties. Main line cOnnec-
tions with the Union Pacific are pro-
vided at Winona, while the main line
of the Missouri Pacific connects with
the road at Scott City. Residents of
the counties are sure the road can
be made to earn dividend. AT least.
they are sure the road can pay op-
Grating expenses.
Now the counties will be given a
chance to try for themselves. B. L.
Allen, the former receiver will direct
operation for the trust company dur
ing the next ninety days, while Fred
erick K. Reasoner, secretary of the
Scott City commercial club, will act
as the new receiver at request of
residents of the two counties The
counties will provide a $4,000 bond
to fortify the trust company against
losses during the ninety day period.
Before the Legislature.
Tf,a CNATr o
railway won the title of the "jitney''
railroad during the 1916 session of
the Kansas state legislature. Frank
Yantis, in charge of the operation of
the road for the Commonwealth peo-
pie at that time, came before the law
makers with special bill which
would allow the road to charge
cents a mile for passenger fares. Yam
tbs made one of the most spectacular
fights ever staged before the Kansas
Legislature. He lobbied the bill thru
the committee, onto the floor and
within a few votes of final passage
The bill was ultimately beaten, aItho
people in Scott and Logan counties
favored its passage and sent petitions
to the legislature.
Years ago Scott and Logan county
townships voted 100000 worth of aid
! bonds for the construction of the
road. The line never earned divi-
dends, tho. Proposed construction of
the line south in Oklahoma and west
/ into Colorado was abandoned when
operation of the line from Scott City
/ to Win. ma showed heavy loses
The Pollock decision in the receiver
/ ship case is probably without parallel.
I So far as known no counties in this
/ country own and operate steam rail-
roads. The order was issued, Judge
/ Pollock explained, that the counties
might be saved their transportation
/ facilities and that right of the trust
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protected