The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-09-07
RAILROADS WILL CHECK
DOGS AS BAGGAGE.
Hunters Likely to Raise a storm Of
Protest.

Protest.
Chicago, H.. Sept. 6.-Dogs are to
be checked as baggage on the western
railroads at the same rate as bicycles
and baby carriages. instructions 70
this effect have been given by the ex-
ecutiye committee of the Western Pas
senger association to the general bag
gage agent of all lines, who have been
meeting here for several days for the
purpose Of adopting uniform rules re-
garding baggage.
With one or two exceptions the
railroads have not charged anything
for the transportation Of dogs in bag
gage cars. The plan to classify dogs
as excess baggage is likely TO raise a
storm of protest from sportsmen and
others. If the hunters take concerted
action they can compel the railroads
not to put into effect the plan for in
creasing their revenue by charging for
carrying dogs 1t may be that some
of the railroads will not agree to
checking dogs at excess baggage
rates.
Il should think it would be a great
mistake for the railroads 20 charge
for carrying dogs said one promi-
nent passenger official. ITO exact a
fee for carrying a dog would make us
responsible for any loss or damage to
the animal We would soon find that
every dog that was hurt or killed on
the train was exceedingly valuable
A worthless cur before entering the
baggage car would be transformed
into a beast with a pedigree a mile
long and worth several hundred dol
lars-as soon as an accident happen
ed to 1t on the car. So long as we
carry dogs free we can do so at the
owners risk, and he has to see that
the dog is fed and watered. II we
asked excess baggage rates we would
be gound to deliver a dog in good
order and condition at destination
would have to feed and water it, and
the owner would not have any of the
trouble think the plan TO charge
for transporting dogs would prove
much better for the owners of the
dogs than it would for the railroads"
I'VE do not charge for hauling dogs,
but not long ago we had to pay 500
for one that came to its death on
train" said another passenger othci-
al. "Th, baggageman made the rope
fast to a stanchion in the car as
usual. and thought the dog would be
all right. A few minutes later the
dog was missing. Its rope led TO
car door. At the end of the rope
hung the dog, dead The rope was
lust long enough to let that dog jump
out of the door, but not reach the
ground. we mad about concluded we
would have TO pay good price to the
owner of the dog, when one OF the
boys said: Why can't we make that
fellow believe that his dog deliber-
ately committed suicide%
"The idea struck all of us as being
n good one. and a letter was sent to
the owner expressing our surprise
and regret that his dog had commit
ted suicide. The dogs master had
some IDEAS OF his own. He thanked
us for our expressions Of regret at
his loss. but begged 10 assure us that
we had done an injustice to a noble
animal in accusing it Of deliberate
~ was on the most friendly terms
with that dog he wrote. and am pre-
pared to make an affidavit that il nad
no reason for committing suicide. Its
domestic relations were happy, it had
suffered no financial reverses, was in
the best of health, and had eveyy rea-
son for wishing TO live. I think your
company should contribute about $50
for the benefit of its sorrowing PRO
geny.
I'VE seat the dogs owner check
for $50" concluded the passenger
agent.