The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-03
THE CAR-COUPLER LAW.
ARGUMENT BEFORE THE INTER
sTxTE COMMERCE CO1MfssIoN
In Regard 10 An Extension OF the ''ne
when II IL TO Become Operative--H"h-
road Omcers speak on the Subject

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.--The hearing
given by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission TO the representatives oil inc ran
roads, which have petitioned Tor an ~
tension OF time in which TO comply WIN
the carlcouplcr law passed In ie3S' was
resumed to-day. 49,
William Brown. general solicitor OF me
Chicago and Alton railroad. rcpiico a.
some length TO the protest mace ny Ion Co.,
Gompers yesterday against any no,,-
10 roads which had made no enort 20 cor" .n.
ply with tho law lie spoke. he saio 80. aoi
the stockholders OF the railroad. WHO 49,
az much entitled 10 receive their uINlu.,ses
rs the iaborcrs working Tor ths cO''P"'''~"
were 70 their daily wages.
EMPLOYEES PETITION
On behalf OF three hundred OF Inc en-
ployes Of his road Mr. brown also ~. ~.
scented 10 the commission a peu'ioh ~ =,
reasonable extension, ~ was oo a. plpo with
fhe law. To grant reasonable extension
would bring every road, ana especld!y
trunk lines into active sympdthy Nnnh
The law: 10 refuse would be 10 puihsn
those who had complied -. 40
marks representatives of other delinquent
roads rendered their excuses 10 me com
mission, and each instance stated the lln is
required for full equipment OF thelr iui-
yldual lines was insufficient. Al uhl'Su,
however in the request or MT. NOWeh ioi
A general nve-year extension.
fack Of funds. reduced earnings, want
NJ shop facilities and the diniculty OF de,
fcrmlning the safest and most economical
appliance were the main reasons advanced
for delinquencies ..,,
in the afternoon session President Smlth,
Of the Louisville and Nashville IN the
course Of his explanation OF the uenh-
uuency Of his road. expressed the opinion
that the time was coming when the peo-
,,le Of this country would demand the con-
fscation and Government ownership OF
railroads. In connection with ms aIsu-
ment President Smith presented peu-
ton in favor OF an extension signed ny
2.4f employees Of the Louisville and Nash
Vile He also presented voluminous pc
titions signs by shippers In all parts OF the
South. ..~..,,,,e,,
While President Thomas, OF the Nash
tille. Chattanooga and St Louis road was
addressing thc commission, Chairman
Morrison asked what the roads would 40
in the matter Of compliance with the law
81 their earnings did not increase Mr.
Thomas created much morriment by reply
ing thai confidence in coming prosperity
had been SO great that he had broken
the record Of a life time anG had voted
for Mckinley.
"When a southern man does thdt, salu
he his faith is absolute"
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 rtureu
during the period Of extension.
Among others who addressed the commits
sion this afternoon was l.. s. Coffin,
formerly Of the Iowa State Railway Com
pany. who contended that the commits
sioners' duty was TO execute the law,
that the effect of a refusal TO extend lis
provisions on commerce was not 10 be
considered The object Of the legislation
was the protection of the lives and limbs
OF railroad employees and passengers.
Figures furnished by Secretary Mosely,
Of the commission. show the total num-
Der of cars owned by the roads which
filed petitions for an extension 70 he
!. C69 IOi. Of which those owning $3.50
cars. had between ~ per cent. and 100
per cent. OF their rolling stock equipped.
those owning 23n,27l cars between - ana
~ per cent. equipped. and those owning
1881 cars below - per cent. The hear
Ing was adjourned at =. NJ. until to-
morrow