against the United States (relating to the obligation of
the United States to pay over these amounts), it was the
duty of the Government to pay over, without delay, to
the respective companies, all moneys due for services
rendered by leased or auxiliary roads belonging to the
bond-aided roads. * * * Whatever amount there
may be due to the Central Pacific R. R. Co., arising out
of transportation, or services rendered by the branch
lines, or by the unaided portion of the road, ought to be
promptly paid to that company. It appears from the
evidence, and the report of the Commissioner of Rail-
roads, that the Central Pacific R. R. Co. has discharged
all the obligations arising out of the Acts of 1862, 1864
and 1878, respecting the transportation applicable to the
interest and bond account, and applicable to the sinking-
fund account, and also for the requirement calling for



35

* ' additional payments to the sinking fund until the
'' amount of such payments should equal twenty-five per
* ' cent of the net earnings. The United States has there-
' * fore no demand or claim on account of which it can
** justly retain any amount which is due from it to the
*' Central Pacific R. R. Co.; and the amount so due ought
** to be paid and discharged without delay.''

The commission admit that much larger payments would Sd^to^compet-
have been made on the debt to the United States by the '"^ ^^®'
twenty-five per cent of the net earnings had not the Govern-
ment subsidized opposition roads, and thus taken trafiic from
the Central-Union line, which it was contemplated that this
line would have had, at least to the maturity of the debt.
