The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-14

ana would either become reckless or 20
crazy from the great strain. It was as
protection to lives OF employees and passen-
gers that the legislature was asked to
pass this bill
Colonel L. j. Polk, general manager of
the santa Fe, opened the argument ON
the side of the railroad companies. He
took up the trainmen's paper, Economy
versus Life" He said the policy OF the
Atchison system under Mr.. Barr was to
reduce operating expenses by running
heavier trains. The Gulf. Colorado and
santa Fe inaugurated the double headers
as matter Of economy. A double -headed
train saved q cents per train mile. as 1t
dispensed with two brakemen aud one
conductor on each train; also one caboose.
which was replaced by 81 revenue paying
loaded car He read statistics compiled
from October j., 1893, TO February /, 1900.
ana Tor the corresponding period a year
Deiore, which stated that there We're only
thlrty-one accidents caused by running
double headers, nearly all OF which were
caused under conditions which could have
easily occurred with single header trains,
me report showed more accidents under
the old system than under the double-
header system. He fled with the commit
tee detailed statistical statements giving
the accidents occurring under the double-
header system and for the same period n
year ago. He also filed a statement hy the
chief surgeon giving the number of eases
treated each year since 1895. He took mn
the insurance feature saving that ,h-
cheaper rate In the East was in fayor NJ
double-headers. The grievance committee
iad admitted to him that the chief objec-
,,oh TO double-heading was because 1t
threw men out OF employment Double
heading was no innovation. as IL had hee,,
IN operation since 1866. The operation OF
double headers. by reducing the number
OF trains, reduced the risk The roads
operated the system purely as a matter
Oh economy and they should not have OBJ
stacles thrown in their way It was sim
ply labor saving device, and, like all
other labor saving devices. met with Oh
position He admitted that the general
oincers sympathized with the men. but at
tue same time they had not taken up the
matter with the managers of the roads
Ihe strain was the same whether train
was pulled by one or by two engines. The
SANTA re now had had 95 per cent o, its
Equipment supplied with automatic coup-
Iers and air brakes. He then submitted a
paper giving an account OF the over time
since the double-he2der system had beer
running ard for corresponding period ia
lSSS-90. He said the train orders were :,
n
men had sought to boycott the Santa Fe
because IL was running double headers.
The accidents referred to by Mr. Adams
nad occurred on the southern division
which was not in as good condition as
other portions of the road This part OF
the road was being put in frst-class fix by
he cutting down OF grades etc TO offset
the statement in Economy vs. Life" he
read from data in the office of the rail.
ell Inn Chp hat ds.
running double headers had Increased
earnings. He submitted Mr.. kruttschu II
article on double headers and other docu-
ments. He argued that the trainmen were
not pleading for the lives of their mem
bers, hut because the railroads would re-
duce forces. In answer to questions. Col
onel Polk said that the hazard was re-
duced as the number of trains operated
was reduced. The insurance people thought
there was no additional risk in the opera
ton of double-headers. The risk taken
was on the vocation OF the party insured
and classified accordingly.
W. r. Scott, trainmaster OF the northern
division OF the Santa Fe. followed with
technical and practical explanation of the
working of the system, showing its eco
monte phases He said danger was re-
duced and he offered by an ocular demon
straton to show the committee how
double header could be operated and con-
trolled He told the committee 1t was his
honest conviction that the legislation asked
for was sought simply to prevent reduc-
tion of train crews.
Judge ]. w. Terry. general attorney for
the Santa Fe. said in reply to questions
that all roads would be willing TO permit
the railroad commission to have jurisdic-
tion of the matter
At midnight the committee took recess
until tomorrow afternoon. when the hear
ing viii be resumed