The Indianapolis journal., 1883-01-16
Witness,
district.
- department


NoTE.-The application must be filed out by
the applicant, in the presence of and witnessed
by the mead of the department Tor his deputy in
which the applicant is to be employed.
What worries the BOYS most is how they will
be able to pay their bills monthly when the pay
car is invariably twOto three months behind.
THE PROPOSED STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
As it is highly probable that at the present
session of the Indiana Legislature a bin will be
introduced for the establishing of railroad
commission IN this State and the appointing of
one or more commissioners, the views of several
OF the higher officials of Indiana roads regard
ing the establishment of u commission becomes
matter of interest.
NJ. E. ingalls,, president of tho Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, ST. Louis IL Chicago road, said he
Favored JRe appointment or State railroad COM
missioners, provided three men suitable for such
position were appOinted-men OF the character
of T. A. Morris or V. 7. Mniott VINO know what
1t costs to huiid roads and operate them; who
would as well protect the interests of the rail-
roads as those of the shipper. 81 would
have commission and would give
them ample power TO investigate and
report whenever the safety of passengers was
concerned. would make it their duty TO inves-
tigate all complaints, and where they found eX-
tOrton, to prosecute the company by suit. The
commissioners should have power to prevent the
charter Of n new roan which would run parallel
with another and make both lines weak ami
nOn-paying Investments. The commission
ers should look after the inter
as wen the interests OF shippers,
They should compel all new roads to cross old
roads above or below grade, except in cities
railroad commission composed of good men
would be benefit TO all parties interested in
railroad service"
President McKeen said he did not favor a rail-
road commission. The railroad service of In
diana was the best OF any State IN the Union.
Railroad men and shippers were satisfied with
the present rates and regulations, and commits
sloners would only he a disturbing element
C. E. Henderson, general manager OF the Indi-
ana, Bloomington Western, favored "a commits
sion If it could be run on business principles,
In Massachusetts, kept out of politics, and not
made black-mailing scheme Their business
should be TO look after roadbeds and equip
ments, see that they are made as safe to travel
possible, and shOuld have power to col
lect railroad statistics which would be of value
He questioned whether the commissioners
should have the power to fix rates. He thought
competition did this, and that was the reason
whv Indiana shippers to-day had lower rates
and better railroad service than any State in
The Union.
j. B. Campbell, genera: solicitor of the L, B.
d W. favored commission because ii was n
AumbuH which the railroads had got to meet,
and their approval in advance would lessen the
danger to railroad interests.
III. C. Diehl, general freight agent Of the l., B.
& W., thought that railroad commission with
competent men as commissioners would be n
be made up Of three men, one
a commercial, one an agricultural. a third "a
railroad man. Oneman constituted The commits
sion of Ohio and Michigan, and each gathered
mp very valuable Information, and had done
much to benefit the railroad interests of those
States. They had nothing to do with rates. ILL.,
nois had three commissioners they gathered up
BOme valuable information, but spent much of
their time regulating rates, ana asa consequence
shippers OF illinois were now paying higher rates
than before the establishment of the commission,
James McCrea, general manage: Of the Pitts
Durg, CINCINNATI d 81. Louis, thought favorably
OF the commission. In Massachusetts they had
been grand success Men OF ability had been
appointed commissioners; they had compiled an
Dually valuable raigOad statistics, and railroad
interests OF that State mad urOtiteU ny their
ommendations, and these commissioned did vast
amount of work annually. A Ii questions in dis
pute between the roads and the public we're
brought before them, all accidents were thor
oughly investigated and the cause thereof
vice of the commissioners improvements
In the way of signals. doubling of tracks. the
crossing OF roads above or below grade OF the
other had been carried out, and really the roads
of Massachusetts, were tine safest 20 travel over
in the country; but before Indiana could make a
railway commission n success 4 better system OF
railroad law will be necessary.
Il. b. Thomas. general narager of tho b ee
Line, said: State railroad commissions, II COM
quite Important that they should be men not
prejudiced in favor of the railroads or shippers.
They should be men of nigh ability, Intelligent,
well posted as to the cost of building aud equip
ping roads, and if they are to have
sdtas any thing thing, to to ta,,,, 90 with regulating
of transportation. With such men as Massa-
chusetts has for commissioners he thought ev-
cry railroad man in the State wouli be in favor
VI dCollliulSSlOil, bUb lHOuUHJ All
w0nla De opposed TO "A commission like that of
Illinois. Iowa and Wisconsin, the latter notably.
IL should by no means be made political party
move; nor be composed of men whose actions
could De bought and sold Commissioners should
have the power to stop the building of parallel
roads through country already amply provided
with railroad facilities New railroads hereafter
Quilt should be compelled - cross the Old roads
above or below grade Commissioners should
nave the authority necessary tn compel railroads
10 use all valuable inventions which make
travel more safe, or Which protect employees of
roads, and tic commissioners duties should be
80 compile statistics "f vauc regarding railroad