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Show mm is -.asked .ros Bepresentative citizens assembled at the Commercial club last night to discuss dis-cuss Senate bill 95, which codifies certain cer-tain laws relating to the government of railroad corporations. After discussion it was decided to ask the Senate to delay action on the measure for five days. Orson Hewlett made a motion asking the Senate to kill the bill, but it received no second. Among the speakers were' P. L. Williams, Wil-liams, Senator Love, Senator Benner X. Smith, D. S. Spencer, R. W. Sloan and others. As to Coal Moving. Subdivision 9 of section 3 of the bill formed the basis of discussion. It gives railroads the power "to own and develop de-velop coal lands, and to own and operate, oper-ate, when not inconsistent with the laws of the United - States, coal and iron mines, and to sell and deliver any pro-duets pro-duets and by-products thereof, and to purchase, own, hold, pledge or otherwise other-wise dispose of the capital stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation owning or operating any such lands or mines when not inconsistent with the laws of the United States. Parley L. Williams said he had pre- pared the bill to codify laws now in force and to add some amendments, as shown in subdivisions 8 and 9. Subdivision Subdi-vision 8, allowing the railroads to own steamship lines, was drawn to enable the Central Pacific to have steamship connections across the Pacific ocean, he said. He amended the provisions relating relat-ing tp the right of eminent domain, he said, to make clear language that made it doubtful whether a railroad could condemn water rights for its necessary uses. Salt Lake's Coal. Discussing the section which bears upon the ownership of coal and iron lands and the operation of mines, Mr. Williams dealt with the provisions of the Interstate Commerce law which goes into effect May 1, 1908. - Explaining Explain-ing that the Union Pacifio railroad controls con-trols the Union Pacific Coal company, he said that under the national enactment enact-ment it wonld be impossible for that railroad to haul a ton of coal produced by the Union Pacific mines into the State of Utah for commercial use after the law went into effect. That wonld cut off a large part of Utah 's coal supply, sup-ply, he explained, and he added that the Rio Grande company, controlling the chief producing mines of Utah, is now operating those mines without affirmative affirma-tive authority of law. He nrged that it would be wise to make the operation of the State's principal mines free from the liability of attack. Mr. Williams predicted a worse congestion con-gestion and shortage than had ever been known should the work of the coal companies, com-panies, now being done illegally, not be made legal. Mr. Williams said he did not believe the passage of the measure would result in killing competition in the production of coal and iron and expressed ex-pressed no fear that the railroads, through the added powers, would extend ex-tend their operations beyond transportation transpor-tation and its cognate industries to dominate some of the important interests in-terests of the State. Love in Opposition. President Stephen H. Love of the Senate said he would give some of the ideas of the opposition to the bill, as he had heard them second hand. "Utah has at present the broadest statutes concerning the railroads that are to be found in the United State, he said, "and this act if passed will amplify the laws. As far as codifying the laws' is concerned, this might be done bv the code committee. But the main objection to the bill was that if similar measures were adopted by many States it would practically nullify the interstate commerce laws. I am of the opinion that the railroads as common com-mon carriers should confine .themselves to the matter of transportation alone. Two years ago the citr of Salt Lake tried to eet the Legislsture to grant it the right of eminent domain in order to secure water supply, but the Legislature Legis-lature voted the proposition down. This measure would grant to the railroads the power which the Legislature refused re-fused to grant to the city. ' Address by Sloan. A. spirited address was made by R. W. Sloan, who intimated that a threat that the coal famine would continue if the bill was not passed, was held over the people. "I will submit that if rou are in the coal business and have reams to haul vour coal you will haul your own before be-fore vou do any hauling for the other man. "If we are to fight let us fight now. We are asked to pass a law in defiance of the sentiment of the Nation. If we are going to do this let us do it with our eyes open. The men behind this movement move-ment are working for a,orporate interests inter-ests and these always conflict with the interests of the people. The only protection pro-tection which the individual has against the corporations is the courts." Independent Operators. J. P. Wood urged that no radical discussion dis-cussion "be indulged in." He favored encouraging the railroads. L. H. Curtis stated that he wonld soon open as an independent operator what he believes to be good coal mines. He expected fair treatment from the railroads and had been encouraged by the passage of the interstate commerce law. Arthur Sweet, who had cross-examined Mr. Williams during his speech, said he was associated with millionaires million-aires of Salt Lake and hoped to develop some coal mines, but that if the hill became be-came law thej could not carry out their plans. H. C. Edwards urged delay by the Legislature so that citizens might have a chance to digest the bill and form intelligent opinions. D. S. Spencer, II. C. Hoffman, Ever-ard Ever-ard Bierer. J. I). Wood and Representative Represen-tative Parry were others who spoke. Letters from W. S. McOornick. Heber M. Wells and W. H. Bancroft were read. All heartily indorsed the bill. |