The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-12
NO STRIKES LAST YEAR
HARMONIOUS RELATIONS BETWEEN
RAILWAYS AND EMPLOYEES.
The Big Four and Pennsylvania Lines
Very Representatives.
Laws Held constitutional.

I'm the twenty-five or more years that /
have been in railroad service" said a rail-
road superintendent, II think it is no ex-
aggeration to say that the relations between
railway officials and employees during the
year 1897 were the pleastantest and things
moved along with less friction than in any
year in the history of American roads. Not
in many years has there been such exemp-
ton from strikes as last year; in fact, there
was not one worthy of calling strike, and
/ have come to the conclusion that railroad
employees have learned there is a better way
to adjust wages and misunderstanding than
by striking and tying up the railroads. The
Debs strike was a great educator 10 rail-
road men as to the folly of trying to effect
an adjustment of their differences through
strikes, and the outlook for business is
such, and the men are now making such
good wages that / can see no reason for
uneasiness on the part of railway employees
on the score of wages. Strikes usually be-
gin with the trainmen, and they are now
making the best wages since in the employ
of the roads, engineers and conductors MAX
ing from $40 to $3.50 per month, and in many
cases above the figures named; siremen and
brakemen are receiving an equally good in
crease in wages, and the time schedules of
both passenger and freight trains are SO
fast, and SO strictly trainmen made ac-
countable for running their trains on time,
that trainmen are much fewer hours on the
road than in former years On the other
hand the railways generally have been well
maintained, their efficiency increased, and
for the next few years no unusual expendi-
lures for renewals or repairs further than
to equip all freight cars with airbrakes and
IT, mill mir al
Anti-ScaIping Legislation.
Apropos Of the pending legislation On the
question of abolishing ticket scalping by ma
tional edict, reference is made to legislation
which has been taken by several States,
Indiana and Illinois both having laws much
similar to the one now before Congress,
which in both States have been declared
constitutional and if enforced would drive
the scalpers out of business. New York,
Pennsylvania and Minnesota each have laws
much similar to those of this State and Illi-
nois, and in no case have the upper courts
decided adversely on the question of con-
stitutionality. The Indiana and Illinois law
prohibits the sale of tickets within the
State except by authorized agents, whether
the railroad is situated. operated or owned
within or without the limits of the State.
The penalty for violating the law is fine
OF $500 and Imprisonment nj exceeding one
year or either or both, at Lne discretion of
the court The redemption of unused por-
tions of tickets is provided for under the
law by requiring the transportation COM
pany issuing said ticket to pay the hoider
the difference between the price paid for
the whole ticket and the cost of ticket
between the points for which a portion of
the ticket was actually used; For refusal
to redeem any ticket portion of a ticket
under the Illinois law a fine of $500 is as
sessed against the offending transportation
sell another ticket in the State until the fine
is paid The Illinois law, however does not
prohibit any person who has purchased a
ticket from any authorized agents of the
transportation companies with the bona fide
intention of travelling upon the same from
person.