The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-02


southern roads. The several roads which
had fully complied. those which had be-
tween z. and 100 per cent of their cars
equipped and those with between 20 and rs
per cent. were called and the representa-
tive of each gave an estimate of time in
which the work of complying with the law
could be completed
After a recess Mr.. Julius Rosendale of
Fhiladelph. "a, on behalf of himself and
many emin ent divines whom he said he
represented and among whom he men,
toned Cardina Gibbons. entered protest
against grant .1g any extension of time
Counsel for various roads which an
nounced the ability of their own roads to
comply with thu, law within a very brief
in the case of the various roads. They all
urged that the 70. ads be treated as unit
and a general order of extension be made.
The representative IF the Cleveland, Lorain
x Wheeling suggested that the commission.
instead OF granting u ffve-year extension
with conditions as to ,dle percentage OF cars
to be equipped each year for onc-fifth of
the equipment of each road, grant at the
end of each year follow ing to the fifth year
an extension for an dditional one-fifth.
Then, in case of the de fault in any road,
il could be made TO suffe- the penalty. This
plan he thought would avoid the questions
of the commissions power TO impose con-
ditiOns
Samuel Gompers. preside ut of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor joined in Mr..
Morrissey's protest against any undue ex-
tension of the time for compliance with the
law. The lives and limbs Of, the railroad
as loud and appealed as strongly TO the
commission as the dividends OF the rail-
reads. On one point Mr.. GoInpers was
very emphatic. He thought that no extern
sion whatever should be granted to any
railroad that had paid dividends since the
law was passed.
Mr.. Clark representing the Chicago
Great Western. said that his company
could not afford and had not the facilities
20 equip the unequipped cars with coupers
within one year. There We're about 1900 of
these.
What were the earnings of your road
last year2' asked Commissioner Prouty.
"Over 81, 100000"
''Why could not the road apply $50 900
next year to equipping its cars with
1t would not be economical" replied Mr.
MIR. CLARDY'S VIEWS.
Ex-COngressman Clardy, of Missouri, rep
resenting the Iron Mountain road argued
that the commission was charged with the
execution of the law and had plenary pow
ers. The commission, he declared. had the
power to extend the time, with forfeiting
conditions. He Endorsed the suggestion of
Mr.. Cowen and the committee
The railroads whose equipment was be-
low % per cent were called, and the coun-
sci of particular roads, in many cases. ex-
planned the reasons why more progress had
not been made.
Commissioner Knapp asked if the COM
mission granted extension for one year.
with the understanding that one-fifth of the
cars should be equipped in that period, and
there should be default, whether there
would not then be the same practical diff
Guilty to face as existed now Mr.. Cowen
replied in the affirmative. and insisted that
the commission must allow sufficient time.
To grant two years extension. for instance,
he said, with the absolute certainty that the
roads could not comply, would be Il contin-
IouS invitation to the roads to default
The hearing to-day closed with a some
what sensational exchange between Mr..
aud NJ n l.,
closing Indignantly repudiated the idea that
Mr.. GomperS or Mr.. Morrissey in any way
represented the employees of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad. Those employees, he de-
clared had not been consulted, and he
scented the quiet assumption of the labor
leaders that they represented the workers
on his road. He warned the commission
against the humanitarian view urged by
these gentlemen. The perils of the new APP
plianceS, he said, had not been established.
Statistics on his road showed they killed
more but MANNED less than the old system.
In business matter. he said, with some
temper, it was always dangerous to
yield 10 alleged humanitarian cOnsidera-
lions. He used no yelled irony in his refer
ences to Mr.. Morrissey's assumption of au-
thority.
The latter jumped to his feet when Mr..
Cowen sat down. He had tried, he said, to
occupy a dlgnifed attitude throughout the
hearing. He did not desire to give OffenSe,
and he had maintained silence while the
statements of the representatives. of the
railroads were being made, but he said he
deemed it his duty to reply to the insinua-
tion of Mr. Cowen that he did not represent
the railway trainmen. He refused to be
discredited, and he denied that he had as
stunned authority not vested in him. Eighty
five per cent. of the employees of the Balu.
more & Ohio, he said, We're members of the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and at
the Toronto convention last year he had
unanimously been empowered to state the
position of it's members to the Interstate
commerce Commission. Every division of
the Baltimore & Ohio had been represented
at the convention. Upon that authority he
said. he denied Mr.. Governs statement.
Il said the question of a years extension
had never been presented to the employees
OF the Baltimore & Ohio interrupted Mr..
Cowen, land / repeat it.
THE Toronto convention" retorted Mr..
Morrissey voted against any extension"
He then explained further that ne had APP
pealed to the convention not to tie his
hands, but to leave him free to use his
Judgment and that that discretion had been
accorded him. Soon afterwards the hearing
was adjourned until tomorrow.