The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-08
8AK'RG POWDER.
TO BE NO cH ANaE.
The Central Railroad Engineers to
Continue to Run to Wadley.


Continue to Run to Wadley.
Judge Speer's decision to the effect
that Wadley must remain a terminal
point for the freight engineers of the
Central railroad, in which he refused to
grant the petition of Receiver Conner,
which asked that the engineers be re-
quired to run through between Savannah
and Macon without making Wadley a
stop-over station. is an interesting one.
The decision was announced in the
MORNING News of June 9, but on account
of its interest to railroad men, some ex-
tracts from it are published.
In rendering his decision, Judge Speer
goes into the condition of the working
man from a philosophic standpoint. He
says there can be no doubt that the true
philosophy of our system of government
is intended for the advancement Of the
working classes. Everything which tends
to make the labOring man better man, a
more thoughtful and considerable man
makes him better citizen says Judge
Speer, and to give him these opportunities
is the policy of the law
at is true,n he says, that the wages
of the American laboring men are higher
than the wages of labor anywhere else in
the world, perhaps 80 per cent. higher. 1t
is argued elsewhere that our laboriug peo-
pie could live for great deal less than
they do live. 1t Is argued that the engine
driver of train on the railroads of Great
Britain lives for much less, for instance,
than the engineer of locomotive here can
liYe-his wages are less. But the policy
of our law intends that the American
laborer shall make more, and he deserves
more. We intend that he shall have more
money to spend; we intend that he shall
have more time to read; we intend that
he shall have more opportunities to think,
TO be with his family, and to provide for
their welfare.
Look at the reports of the receiver
covering the past nine months. In
period of unexampled depression in rail
road matters, period of depression the
like of which has never been known here
tOiore in this country, these properties,
under the control of Mr.. Kline and the
receivers, have earned net 81 1851, 757 Is.
There are very few railroads not in the
hands of a receiver at this time that can
show anything like the same admirable
results of the properties concerned.
And this is merely symptomatic of the
good results that are to come to these
great properties, if they are honestly and
economically managed, and If every man
connected with them works with heart
devoted to the best interests of the prop
erty. If there continu IS to be, as there
has been in the past, that esprit du corps
among the operatives Of the Central rail
road, which will make every man work
and think and plan and scheme for the
property, | say, with the boundless, al
most untouched resources of our south
land to which this great railroad is trib-
utary, and which is tributary to the rail-
road, this is merely symptomatic of the
great results to come from the operation
of these properties. That being true, |
repeat, is it not the true policy to let well
enough alone.
Judge Speer goes on to state that Mr..
Kline considers it most important mat
ter looked at from his standpoint to have
check upon the engineers operating ell
gines so as TO make each engineer reapon-
sible for his own engine. Judge Speer
admits that this is an important
matter, and while he says IL
is no reflection on the honesty
of anybody, he thinks it could be
accomplished a great deal better by ap-
pointing men whose business it is to in
spect the engines at the terminal points
instead of compelling an engineer to run
thirteen hours.
1T is not the policy of the law, T." Judge
! Speer continues, nor is 1t wise policy
that an engineer in charge of property
and life shall be exhausted physically
and mentally. The law fixes thirteen
hours as maximum time which the en-
! gineer is permitted to run. Ought not
the Central railroad to give the engineer
margin of time3 I think so. If he
! should be delayed for any reason, would
not the law in spirit, if not in letter, bo
| violated, and are not delays on freight
| trains almost unavoidable! While he
might save great deal to the
| properties, not perhaps as much as
/ Mr.. Erwin concludes, but a great
deal might be saved in dollars
and cents and credited to this fine ad-
ministration of the Central railroad that
| we already have, by making the run
! through, yet suppose an engineer on one
| trip, with a train loaded with freight of
great value, tired and worn out, ibis physi-
cal and mental energy exhausted, made
| some mistake at some critical iuncture at
the latter part of his run, and bring on a
catastrophe, which involved the whole
train, there would 30 at one fell
swoop more money than had been
saved for years. l do not think it is
good policy to run schedules up to the last
limit of the maximum allowed by the
| law. We are getting on admirably now
think we had better keep on under the
| present system we now have. 1t nav be
true that ten hours rest or six hours
rest. as Mr. Urquhart figures out, would
be the actual result, would be enough for
some people, but other people would
IOHulAo AllOI6' LUX az MT. UfQQldrt
and look at Mr.. Erwin for instance
ION the whole, am satisfied that there
ought not to be the change which the of
tcers of the road seek, and in diferiuq
with them do so with great Difference
to their superior Judgment, but having
listened carefully, that is my judicial
opinion | mean no reflection upon The
superior ability in such matters of MIR
Kline and Mr.. Conner, for whom, as rail
road men, l have the great st posi- l.
respect, but l really think it is for Tho
best interest of all concerned that this an
plication should be denied, and it will be-
so ordered"
Mr., Conner was seen about the matter
but said no did not wish TO discuss it.