The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-06
RAILROAD NEWS.
A. A. Hurd Talks About Texas
Railway Laws.
Tells Why Texas Leads in In
crease of Mileage
DESPITE HOSTILELAWS
Some Queer Things in the Tex
as Railway Statutes.
Emergency Clause" AbOlishes
Constitution of the State.

Railroads are obliged to build in
Texas in spite of the strict and arbl-
trary laws which exist in that state,
said General Solicitor A. A Hurd of the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, in an
swer to the question, why does Texas
lead the country in increase of railway
mileage when its laws are hostile and
Objectionable to railroads.
When we think Of the vast area of
Texas" continued Mr.. Hurd, ''it is Only
remarkable that its railway mileage has
not increased faster than it has. The
only reason that it has been retarded as
much as it has is because of the un-
reasonable railway laws of the state
Texas has been far behind the rest or
the states in the amount OF railway
mileage in proportion to its area IL
would rapidly make up this deficit now
If the laws were more favorable to rail-
ways AS it is, railways will build in
Texas only as much as they are abso-
1utely obliged to, and no more. IL
would be of immense advantage to the
prosperity and progress of Texas to re-
peal some of its severe railway legis-
lation."
Texas furnishes a most interesting OBJ
ject of study to other states of the union
which have intermittent periods of Sc
verify on railway corporations. Texas
is severe all the time. It never relaXeS
its vigilance. 1t passes new and more
strict laws at each session of the legis-
lature. 1t adopts low-rate schedules
and enforceS them. 1t holds the grip
on the courts in such a way that the
railways can not fight back 1t die
tates terms to the railways, and the
railways are obliged to obey or get out
of the railway business in Texas. And
yet, In spite of all this, Texas led all
the states of the union in the number Of
miles of road constructed in 1900 and in
1901.
other states of the country may well
inquire whether after all hostile railway
legislation and extreme severity on
railway corporations is not the best
policy to pursue. 1t sappearS to have
worked well in Texas. Although, as
stated by Mr.. Hurd, the progress of
railways in Texas might have been even
faster had the adverse legislation not
existed
Some of the many freak railway
laws which exist in Texas are very in
teresting.
Among other things. the railway com
mission has given netice that on and
after January 1. 1902, trains must run
on schedule time unless delayed by I'M
avoidable accidents. At junction points
an extra series of trains must be held
in reserve to start out on the run in
case the regular train is late.
If railway is being built through
Texas. it must pass through every
miles of the road.
Every point where two railway lines
cross is designated a depot point, and
Inc Two companies must maintain a
union depot at that point whether any
town exists or not.
Every railway in the state must exist
Independent of roads outside. 1t must
have a different name, its headquarters
must be within the state, and a majori-
ty of its directors must live in the
state. At Ell Paso the Santa Fe has
= one man who acts as station agent,
general manager. general superintend-
ent, and the whole works" for the
Texas lines.
A proviso against consultations is as
follows: Article 4247. No railroad
company organized under the laws of
this state shall consolidate by private
or judicial sale or otherwise with any
railroad company organized under the
laws of any other state, or of the
United States" There is also a proviso
against consolidation of parallel lines
within the state.
A person in Texas can sue a road for
dog, a chicken, or anything which he
claims has been killed by the train. BY
claiming S19.99 damages, he is able un-
der the state law to prevent the road
from appealing from the justice court
The Texas legislature has queer way
of passing laws when it gets in mood