The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-12-03

sympathy with the law; 10 refuse would
| be TO punish those who had compiled.
! Representa- tives of other delinquent
| roads rendered their excuses 10 the com
mission, and in each instance estimated
| the time required for the fun equipment
of their individual lines. All united
I however, in the request OF Mr.. Coweu
| for general five year extension. Lack
I of funds, reduced earnings. want Of shOp
| facilities and the difficulty of deternin-
1 ing the safest and most economical APP
| pliance were the main reasons advanced
I for delinquencies.
Ex-Congressman Payson Of Illinois,
representing the Southern Pacific road
in the course OF his remarks. Suggested
/ thatsfhe commission make the following
roung draft of IAN order extending the
| period within which the common carrier
owning cars used in interstate traffic
shall comply with the provisions of the
act of congress, entitled, etc. is hereby
extended 10 January l. 1903: but provided
that any SUCH common carriers in de-
fault as 10 equipment with couplers or
with train brakes al required in said
act. in whole or in part, January 1. 1888.
shall during each caltndar year there
after make good at least 20 per cent Of
such default in equipment. or in defaulS
OF such partial performance. the proyis-
ions Of said act shall be applicable to all
cars of SUCH common carriers not prop
erly equipped under said act New cars
shall be properly equipped before use"
At the afternoon session. President
Smith Of the Louisville and Nashville. in
the course of his explanation OF the de
linquency of his road expressed the opin-
ION that the time was coming when the
people Of this country would demand the
confscation and government ownership
OF railroads.
While President Thomas. OF the Nash
vile, Chattanooga and ST. Louis road.
was addressing the commission. Chair
man Morrison asked what the road would
do in the matter OF compliance with the
Law If their earnings did not increase.
Mr.. Thomas created much merrimens
by replying that his confidence in com
ing prosperity has been 50 great that he
had broken the record OF lifetime and
had voted for Mckinley.
W men Il SOunerD man does t1dsr ne
said, his faith is absolute"
Questions asked by the commissioners
developed the fact that 10 per cent OF the
freight cars now in use were not worth
equipment. Those cars would be retired
during the period Of extension.
Among others who addressed the com
mission this afternoon was :. l.. Coffin,
formerly Of the Iowa railroad commits
sion, VINO contended that the commits
sins duty was 10 execute the law and
mat the edect on commerce OK a refusal
to extend its provisions was not 20 be
considered. The object OF the legislation
was 70 protec; the lives and LIMBS Of the
railroad employees and passengers Fig
ures furnished by Secretary Moseley Of
the commission show ne total number II
cars owned by the roads which fled pc
titfons FOR an extension % be 1859 7ef.
OF which those owning zss $50 cars had
between 70 per cent and 100 per cent %
their rolling stock equipped, and those
owning 23o-Z7i cars between . and %
per cent equipped. and taose owning
1Js.sn cars below g per CEN
The hearing was adjourned a; s ,. III.
until .Syrnorrrzy