The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-16
AtehiSOn Attorney Asserts Poll
tics Was Behind Scheme.
He Says Walter johnson Was
Working for "a Candidate"
PLANS TO JUNK THE ROAD
Cards Stacked for Some One TIC
Make Big Money.
Those Who Bought Stock May
Hold Empty Bag.

Cards in the Leavenworth Topeka
railway case are being dealt under
the table and investors in the project
to take over the road face court
mandate to compel them to operate
the line, according to statement to-
day by James w. Orr. Atchison law
yer and attorney for the receiver in
the case Orr declared today that
Walter A. johnson and his assoei-
ates are working for "a candidate for
IN important Office" and that the zeal
TO protect patrons of the road may
now become quite expensive.
When Johnson walked proudly for
ward to buy in the railroad for the
patrons-the $4,000 sale price being
far less than the junk value-he en-
tered into an agreement that the buy
ers would maintain and operate the
road as a going concern. The next
day Fred s. Jackson, a Capper ap-
pointee as public utilities commission
attorney, sought to have the agree
ment modified. His suggestion of
modification vas to remove the provi-
sion compelling operation of the rail-
road as required by the court. This
question will be presented in Kansas
City next Saturday. Orr strongly in
Inmates Johnson and his associates
long junk bargains.
Was a Double Track Scheme?
Now the plan to make both votes
and money seems to have struck "a
snag. Orr laid the record on the
table in a rather sensational state
ment of facts today and invited pa
irons who had been misled by soft
words of politicians to make early
reservations for ring side seats. In
his statement. Orr said:
This railroad was owned for many
years by the Union Pacific and Santa
Fe railroads jointly and they oper-
ateG it upwards of twenty years at a
loss and deficit of S254,0O0 Then a
suit was commenced by the Union Pa
cifiC and Judgment rendered against
the l. & T. and a receiver appointed.
the receiver operated the line for
considerably more than a year at a
heavy loss. There is now due for
taxes from the railroad to Leaven-
worth and Jefferson counties for 1915
and 1917 upwards of $4,000. The
Indebtedness now to be paid out of
more than $4,000. not counting a
mortgage on the property for $780,
600 mere.
The property, as l say, was order
ed sold to pay the debts of the COM
paly, othe- than the mortgage debt.
including farmers. merchants and
elevator men doing business on the
hnc. and commercial clubs of Leaven-
worth. Oskaloosa and Topeka repre-
scented to the court that they could
arrange to take over the property and
operate it. if given a chance, and.
alto they were not parties to the
suit the court was willing to give
their that chance.
Road Worth 100000.
The junk value of the property Iy-
ing west of the city of Leavenworth is
practically admitted to be not less
than 100000 at present market
price. but the court, in its Decree gave
these parties the first right to pur-
chase all the property, including the
terminals at LeavenWorth. at an up
set price of $4,000 cash. and instruct
ed the special master to offer the
property for sale in its entirety as a
going concern and to consider or &C.
cept no bid for less than $4,000: tina
If the authorized representatives OF
such commercial clubs or of the farm
ers. elevator owners. merchants ant
citizens residing or doing business II
the counties of Leavenworth and JEFF
ferson bid $4,000 and obligate them
selves to operate the railroad coutin-
uously in the future, as a going con
Germ, and shall make to the United
States a bond or obligation to be ap
proved by the clerk of the court con
ditioned in default of such agreemen
TO operate the road continuously t.
pay to the plaintiff all damages b,