The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-10
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS
Make Their Report TO the Gov
ernOr.
IMPROVEMENT IN SYSTEMS
That of the Trunk Lines Especially Conspicu-
ous--DepOt Accommodations Not Up
to Statutory Requirements.

Special to The Age-Hera,d.
Montgomery, Dec 9-The railroad
commission filed today its annual re
port to the governor in conformity with
the statutes.
To the Governor:
Some of the railroad companies have
been delayed in making their reports
or we have been Numbered in making
our repent as early as we desired.
REVISION OF TARIFF.
We have endeavored to keep ourselves
SO advised of the actual working of the
railroad system of Alabama, and to ex-
ercise such supervision over the passen-
ger and freight traffics of the several
railroad companies, as would enable US
to prevent the imposition and exaetion of
such rates as are denounced by section
1.129, as excessive, extort.onate and dis
criminal tory. 1t is gratifying to be able
to report that violations of the law in
this respect have occurred very seldom.
and when we have called the attention
or the offending railroad companies to
the fact, and have recommended such g
change in the rates as would correct
the evil, they have with commendable
promptness adopted and put In effsct
our recommendations
Under this title 1t affords us pleasure
to make from personal inspection and
observation, a favorable report. One or
two short lines with resources measured
by limited and precarious local traffic,
constitute notable exceptions Ito the gen.
orally improved condition of the rail-
roads of the state. The improvement In
the trunk lines or large systems, Is es-
pecially conspicuous in all the, features
that appertain to quick and safe ae-
commodation afforded by superior equip
ment, and a proper consideration for the
wants of the travelling public There
has been manifest improvement in the
equipment of railroads, and very no
ticeable progress in the maintenance
of way and structure over last year, IN
that bridges have been overhauled and
strengthened, old ties replaced by new
ones heavier steel ties replaced by new
stituted for light, tracks ballasted
trestles temporarily used for expedieney
or economy, filled i'm with earth, and an
abandonment of iron rails until there
is now only 172.O2 miles in the asgre-
gate of 3,532.03 miles of railroad in the
state.
AS TO COMPLAINTS.
There has been little If any abate-
ment in the number of complaints made
against railroad companies; many have
been made under a misconception OF our
jurisdiction as to matters of interstate
commerce; some possibly, from too
sensitive and hastily formed impression
that the railroad companies were incon-
s1derate of the comfort, convenience and
accommodation of the public; some from
a lack of investigation and absence of
information as to the net earnings OF
the railroads, and their inability to adopt
a more liberal policy toward the shipper,
while many others were based upon
meritorious considerations.
DEPOT ACCOMMODATIONS.
We regret that we are not prepared to
report that The depot facilities and ac-
commodations Of all the railroads meet
fully the statutory requirements for
comfort and convenience, or are COM
mensurate with other appointments pro-
vided by the roads for the benefit of the
travelling public. 1t is true, with few
exceptions, however, that they have
been satisfactory to the people of the
stations using them. The liberal ex-
penditure of means in the betterment
of the roads and equipment as tribute
to quick, safe and comfortable transit,
has been in some instances urged as an
excuse for the failure to provide better
depot facilities A gradual improve
ment has been made, however, on this
line, by building new and repairing old
depots.
SESSION OF THE COMMISSION.
Section 1925 OF the civil code of Ala
bama provides khat we shall have our
office at the capitol and shall there meet
on the first Monday in every month, Sep
tember excepted, and shall remain in
session until all business before us is
disposed of: and we shall hold other ses-
sions at such times and places as may
be necessary for the proper discharge
of our duties, or as the convenience of
the parties may in our judgment re-
quire.
We find this departure from our GUS
tom of holding our sessions exclusively
at the capitol meets with the approval
of bo h the people and the railroads.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUR
THEIR LEGISLATION.
AS our eighteenth annual report will
be made before the next general assem-
bly, of Alabama will convene, we deem
It advisable to defer any recommended
lions for further legislation on the sub
ject of railroads until we make such re-
port.
ACCIDENTS TO PERSONS.
The number Of passengers injured was
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