Rock Island Argus., 1897-12-03
RIGHTS Of INVESTORS
Railway Men At Washington Say
They Are a. Sacred a.
These Of laborers.,
DiVfbExDs TO TIE STOCKHOLDERS


waees - the Eoplsyss-RsnarAsN Nsds
During the Hearing On Safety Appliances
Before the Interstate Commission-Peru
ne Fiyt Ssath Americas Country to
Apply for Reciprocity.
Washington. Dec. s.-The hearing
given by the interstate commerce COM
mission to the representatives of the
railroads which have petitioned for an
extension Of time in which to comply
with the car coupler law passed in 1893
was resumed yesterday. William Brown,
general solicitor Of the Chicago and Al
tor railroad, replied at some length to
the protest made by Gompers wednes-
day against any extension to roads
which Ind made no effort to comply
with the law. He spoke. he said. for the
stockholders Of the railroads. who were
rs much entitled to receive their divi-
dends as the laborers working for the
companies were to their wages. On be-
half Of the 800 employees Of his road
a petition for reasonable extension.
II was practical and physical impossi-
bility. he said. to comply with the law.
To grant a reasonable extension would
bring every road-especia,ly trunk lines
Into active sympathy with the law: to
refuse would be to punish those who
had complied. Representatives Of other
delinquent roads rendered their excuses
10 the commission, and in each instance
estimated the time rcsquired for the full
equipment OF their individual lines. All
united. however. in the request Of Cowen
Tor general five-year extension.
Draft Of IN Order of Extension.
Lack of funds, reduced earnings. want
OF shop facilities. and the difficulty Of
determining the safest and most eco
nofEical appliance were the main reasons
| advanced fJr delinquencies. Ex-Repre-
sentative Payson, Of Illinois, represent
| Ing the Southern Pacific road, in the
| course Of his remarks suggested that
the commission make the following
| rough draft of an order Of extension:
The period within which ever common
carrier owning cars used in interstate
traffic shall comply with the provisions
OF the act OF congress entitled [etc.,1 is
hereby extended to Jan. I, 1908; but
provided that any such common carrier
IN default as to equipment with coup
| lers or with train brakes as required In
said act. In whole or in part. Jan. 1,
l9c5. shall during each calendar year
thereafter make good at least 20 per
cent. Of such default in equipment, or
In default Of such partial performance
the provisions OF such act shall be ap-
plicabie 20 all cars OF such common car
rier not properly equipped under said
act. All new cars shall be properly
equipped before use"
sec~ the Handwriting ON the Wall. i
President Smith, of the Louisville and
Nashville. In t,c course OF his explana-
ton Of the dei-Iaucncy Of his road, ex-
pressed the opinion that the time was
coming when the people of this country
would demand the confiscation and gov
ernment ownership of railroads. In con-
nection with his argument President
Smith presented q petition in favor OF
an extension signed by 2,s41 employees
Of the Louisville and Nashville. He al
50 presented voluminous petitions signed
In all parts Of the south. While Presi-
dent Thomas. OF the Nashville. Chatta.
nooga and st. Louis road. was address.
ing the commission Chairman Morrison
asked what the road would do in the
matter in compliance with the law Il
their earnings did not increase.
| No Question About Ills Faith.
Thomas created much merriment BY
replying that his confidence in coming
prosperity has been so great that he
had broken the record Of q life time ant
had voted for Mckinley. when 9
southern man does that" he said, hi.
! faith Is absolute" :.
Among others who addressed the com
mission yesterday ai.eTnoon was L.
|, Coffin. formerly Of the Iowa state rail
: road commission, who contended tha
the commissioners duty was to execut
. the law; that the effect Of a refusal I,
. extend its provisions on the commerc,
was not to be cor rsidered. Fig
ures furnished by Secretary Eese
! ~. OF the commission. show the tota
number Of cars owned by the road
! which have filed petitions for an exten
sion to be loss, ,1oi. OF which those own
, ing ess.2s0 cars had between rs per cent
: and leo per cent. Of their rolling stocl
) equipped: those owing 23o.27l cars be
tween Is and 80 per cent. equipped. an
, those owning 1854 cars below 25 pc
cent.
PERU WOULD HAVE RECIPR0cITY.