The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-03
CAR COTPLER CASES


Ths Hearing BEFORE the Interstate comt
msFee Commissioned Southern MAn's
Faith IN Coming ProIPsriiy-No De-
cislon Reached.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec, s.-The
hearing given by the Interstate com-
meree commission to the representa-
tlves of the railroads which petltloned
for an extension OF time in which to
comply with the car coupler law passed
in 1898, was resumed to-day,
William Brown, general solicitor Of
the Chicago & Alton railroad, replied ia
the protest made by Mr. Gompers
against an extension to roads which
had made no effort to comply with the
law. He spoke, he said. for the stock-
holders of the railroads who were as
much entitled to receive their dividends
as the laborers working for the COM
panles were to their daily wages on
behalf OF three hundred OF the employees
OF his road, Mr.. Brown also presented
TO the commission petition for a rea-
sonable extension. 1t was practical
impossibillty, he said, to comply with
the law. To grant a reasonable extern
sion would bring every road, especially
trunk lines, into active sympathy with
the law; 10 refuse would be to punish
those who had complied.
Representatives OF other delinquent
roads rendered their excuses to the
commission and In each instance est-
mated the time required for the full
equipment OF their individual lines. AL
united. however, in the request of Mr.,
Cowen, for q general five year extern
sion, Lack OF funds, reduced earn
ings, want of shop facilities and the
difficulty OF determining the safest and
most economical appliance were the
main reasons advanced for delinquen-
cies.
Ex-Congressman Payson, Of Illinois.
representing the Southern Pacific road.
In the course OF his remarks. suggested
that the commission make the follow
ing rough draft of an order of exten-
sion:
"The period within which every cons
mon carrier owning cars used in inter-
state traffic shall comply with the pro-
visions with the act of Congress entl-
tied, etc. Is hereby extended to Janu-
ary /, 1908: but provided that any such
common carrier In default as 10 eqplp-
ment with couplers or with train
brakes as required In said act, in whole
or in part January l, 1893, shall during
each calendar year thereafter mako
good at least 20 per cent OF such default
in equipment or In default Of such par
tial performance, the provisions of said
act shall be applicable to all cars OF
such common carrier not properly
equipped under said act. All new cars
shall be properly equipped before use"
At the afternoon session President
Smith. OF the Louisville s. Nashville.
iL the course OF his explanation OF the
delinquency OF his road, expressed the
opinion that the time was coming when
the people of this country would de-
mand the confiscation and government
ownership OF railroads. In connection
with his argument, President Smith
presented petition in favor OF an ex-
tension signed by 9,341 employees Of the
Louisville & Nashville railroad. He
also presented voluminous petitions
signed by shippers in all parts OF the
south.
While President Thomas, of the
Nashville. Chattanooga & st. Louis
road was addressing the committee.
Chairman Morrison asked what the
road would do in the matter in COM
pliance with the law II their earnings
did not increase. Mr.. Thomas created
much rerriment bv replying that his
confidence In coming prosperity has
been so great that he had broken the
record of a life time and had voted Tor
Mckinley. "When southern man
does that" he said, "hls faith is abso-
Lutte"
Questions asked by the commissioners
developed the fact that 10 per cent OF
the freight. cars now in service were
not worth equipment. Those cars would
be retired during the period OF exten-
sion.
Among others Who addressed the
commission this afternoon, was u. 5.
Coffin. formerly of the Iowa State Rail-
road Commission, who contended that
the commissioners duty was to execute
the law: that the effect OF refusal to
extend its provisions on the commerce
was not to be considered. The object OF
the legislation was the protection ot
the lives and the limbs OF railroad em-
ployes and passengers.
Figures furnished by Secretary Nose
ley, OF the commission, shows that tho
total number OF cars owned by the
roads which filed petitions for an ex-
tension, to be 1069,70i, of which those
owning 2SS, $50 cars had between 70 and
100 per cent OF their rolling stock equip
ped, those owning 2S0,2T1 cars between
g5 and 30 per cent equipped and those
owning 1854, cars below 25 per cent.
The hearing was adjourned ut p. m.