The San Francisco call., 1899-12-07
LIVES LOST BY
FAULTY COUPLERS
Figures Given to Com
merCe Commission.
Special Dispatch TO The Call.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The Interstate
Commerce Commission to-day gave a
hearing TO the representatives OF the sew
eral companies asking for further exten-
sion OF time allowed the railroads 10
equip their lines with safety appliances.
Two years ago the commission granted an
extension until January /. 1900. The fur
ther extension asked for at the present
time is one year. The representatives OF
various labor organizations were also
present 10 offer their side OF the case.
Representatives OF about a hundred roads
were In attendance.
John X Cowen, president OF the Bal5i-
more and Ohio, representing as chairman
eighty-eight other roads having $4,000
miles OF line. made the opening al gument.
He said that June l. 1899, I'll ,26S freight
cars out OF 226S. 900 engaged In interstate
commerce were not equipped with safety
appliances. Since that time the numter
had been reduced 10 between 10000 and
l75 600. The argument Of the railroads
asked for an extension. based upon the
showing made by the roads since the last
application. The showing demonstrated
that the railroads had done as well as
could be expected and could ask no fur
ther extension. Wayne MacVeagh. repre-
senting the Pennsylvania and afiiliating
lines, Joined in asking for the extension.
President Knapp of the commission
stated for the benefit of those present
that OF the roads petitioning for an extern
sion over 20 per cent were fully equipped
He said there was some misapprehension
as to the meaning of the law. which pro-
vided that not all the roads should equip
their cars, but that after certain date
no unequipped cars should participate IN
interstate commerce. Fully equipped
roads could not therefore haul unequipped
cars after the expiration of the limit.
Dr.. L
nounced ihat the President had sent word
that he would be glad TO receive the rep
resentatives of the railroads and labor
organizations present at the White House
al ! o'clock. The invitation was accepted
and "A recess taken.
After the recess Mr.. MacVeagh again
addressed the commission, dwelling upon
the enormous progress already made by
the railroads, which he said had spent
800 900 900 to comply with the law. II the
extension were not granted. he said, the
withdrawal Of 175 600 cars from interstate
commerce would infiict a serious injury
upon the business interests of the world.
Mr.. Ely OF the motive department of
the Pennsylvania road gave ii as his view
that II would be entirely practicable for
one road 10 equip all the foreign cars on
its line.
President Knapp at this point stated
that a travelling inspector Of the commits
sion who had been examining the equip
ment Of roads for some time had found
an almost ideal state OF affairs so far as
handholds and standard height of draw.
bars. but that he had found a surprising
state of affairs so far as some of the al
legged automatic couples were concerned
II was discreditable, he said The APP
pliances for operating the couplers, espe-
cially the unlocking mechanism was
found out of order in 25 per cent of the
couplers. The couplers could not be work.
ed except by going between the cars and
were more dangerous than the old links
and pins.
Mr.. Ramsay Of the Wabash protested
against the statement that % per cent OF
the couplerS were out of order He
thought ! or per cent would cover the
couplers out of order. The secretary OF
the commission said that four lodges OF
the railroad conductors. eight of locomo-
tive engineers and one OF bremen had