The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1922-08-12
SUGGEST GOVERNMENT
CONTROL OF C. P
(Contiued from page one)

(Contiued from page one)
they are levied in accordance with
the value of the property assessed,
no difference by whom the roads are
operated, but what increase could
we expect if there was competition
and an increase of tonnage? Might
not double tracks or more sidetracks
be necessary with an increase in
taxable property?
l believe that the proper solution
of the whole matter is this: That
the government take over the Gen.
trail Pacific, its rolling stock, and all
personal property owned by it and
used by the Southern Pacific Com
pany as well as the unsold lands
embraced in the. railroad land
grants, at the valuation heretofore
fixed by the interstate commerce
commission. Then under powers
delegated by congress the interstate
commerce commission to permit
joint trackage use by the roads en-
tering the Ogden gateway. That is:
The Chicago Burlington & Quincy,
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific, and
Missouri Pacific in connection with
the Denver and Rio Grande, and
the Union Pacific; also any other
road entering the Ogden gateway
in the future, as well as north and
south roads which may be built in
Nevada. Joint trackage use is not
new.
Is it not possible that this kind
of operation would in time eliminate
the long and short haul rates?
The act of July 1, 1862, providing
for the construction Of the Pacific
Railroads, granted to the roads
five alternate sections per mile of
each side of said railroad, on the
line thereof, and within the limit
Of ten miles," This was increased
to ten sections and twenty miles by
the act of July 2, 1854.
In section 8 of the original act
it is also provided:
"And all such lands so granted by
this section, which shall not be sold
or disposed of by said company
within three years after the entire
road shall have been completed,
shall be subject to settlement and
presumption, like other lands, at a
price not exceeding $1.25 per acre,
to be paid to said company"
The Central Pacific Railroad of
California was incorporated in
1861; the road was complete in
1859; sometime thereafter the Gen.
trail Pacific Railway Company of
Utah was organized and took over
the road as well as the lands. The
change from one state to the other
abrogated in their opinion the right
of the public to purchase these lands
at $1.25 per acre. For many years
both under Southern Pacific and
Union Pacific control, more espe-
cially under the latter, no lands
were sold in Nevada to the public.
l have heard it stated that Mr.. Har-
riman considered these lands a large
asset in selling bonds in foreign
countries. It is only since 1913, or
Whereabouts, that any lands could
be purchased and none at the fig
ures fixed by congress.
If the government should take
over the Central Pacific, I believe
the lands within California, Nevada
and Utah belonging to the road
should be given to the states. Proper
laws could be passed, if necessary
constitutional amendments, which
would eliminate the possibility of
large owners acquiring these lands.
Say that one individual or corpora
ton would be permitted to own not
more than 1000 acres.
The question of taxes is the one
most vital to our state, but that
can be taken care Of. If the gov
eminent owned the road an amount
equal to the state and county taxes
paid by private owners could be
paid out Of the gross revenue to
the states and be considered a part
of the operating expenses. There
is nothing difficult about this. We
now receive substantial revenue
from the government forest reserve
fees and there is no reason why the
same cannot be done under govern
ment operation Of the Central Pa
cific.
Presenting these views to you, /
suggest that we observe due caution
and preserve all rights we may have
to make a strong case when the
time comes.
remain, respectfully,
j. A. LANGWITH.