Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-07

spent 500 OOO 900 comply with law II the ex-
tension were not granted. he said the withdrawal OF
| serious injury upon the business interests the
country Mr. Ely. OF the motive department of the
Pennsy lvania railroad, gave it his view that It
would be entirely practicable for road to equip
all the foreign cars on its line.
President Knapp at this point stated that a trav-
cling inspector of the commission who had been
aiming the equipment of roads for some time had
found an almost ideal state of affairs far as
Eand-holds and standard height of drawbars, but
that he had found surprising state of affairs
as some of the alleged automatic couplers
cerned. 1t discreditable, he said. The appli-
ances for operating the couplers especially the
locking mechanism. found out of order in per
cent of the couplers. The couplers could not be
worked except by going between the cars. and were
more dangerous than the old locks and pins. Mr..
Ramsey, of the Wabash protested against the state
ment that % per cent Of the coupers out of
order. He thought l or per cent would cover the
coupers out OF order The secretary Of the commits
sion said that four lodges Of the Railroad Conductors
eieht OF Locomotive Engineers and one of Firemen
had pettioned in favor of extension that eleven
ieages OF Railway Irainmen ten of Railway Con-
ductors. three. of Firemen and three of Engineers
had petitioned against extension.
E. T. Clark. president Of the Order of Railway
Conductors. said he had desire to embarrass the
commission or the railroads. The employees wanted
10 be reasonable. The inherent defect in the law,
innocent as well as the guilty.
In 1888. said he 1858 railroad employees were killed
and 81 ISl had been injured. OF these 600 had
II the law had been obeyed had accomplished its
OBJECT not one of these men would have killed
IL
roads had complained. he said 1t was hard to strike
balance between dollars ad cents and lost lives
ana injuries Railroad organizations during the last
TWO years had paid out 81 600 900 in death and
SICK Dement'S. As men crippled in the service were
debarred from further employment by railroads those
organizations wanted Just as few men crippled as
possible Speaking OF the number of couplers in bad
order: to which attention has been called he de-
ciared that until the law became actually operative
IL would be impossible to compel the roads to keen
tnelr coupers In good order. He called attention TO
the TACT that many roads which were now completely
equipped were before the commission two years ago
cohtending that 1t would be absolutely impossible
Ior their roads to equip their in less than FIVE
years. lie said that few private car lines (owners
OF refrigerator cars. etc.) showed a disposition Z,
equip their cars. He thought sooner or later all
ROADS would be Obliged to equip the foreign cars
on their lines While unwilling to take the position
ttat the law should be made operative December Al
ne said the railroad employees asked that their in
terests be considered Two years ago the railroads
asked nre years They got two now they wanted
ore Upon behalf Of the employees he asked that
me time should not be extended more than a few
months. four to six months. and tina: tine commits
SION make 1t plain for all that IL extension IL
granted it is the last 'A 40
H. T. Wilson. on behalf of the Locomotive En-
gneers OF the Pottsville. Pa. lodge asked that the
extension be granted but that the railroads be given
TO understand that further extension is n he
hoped for. " u oe
IL seems probabl' as result of the hearing that
the commission will grant the railroads a further eI
tension OF six months within which to comnIy with
the safety appliance act. p-' win