Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-02-17
FOR STRONG CARS
Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion Preparing a Bill to
Present to Congress.
GUARDS SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC
Provides for Steel Frames and Non.
TeIescopabIe Devices for
Coaches.

Under the supervision of the inter-
state commission bill is being pre-
pared which. if it becomes a law, Will
compel railroad companies to build
stronger coaches and other passenger
cars, with the exception of sleepers.
The bill will be introduced by Repre-
sentative Esch, of Wisconsin, and will
provide that all coaches and cars for
passenger service shall be construct
ed with steel sIeepers and steel sills.
The American Railway association
has been asked to submit details
which would be practical from a rail
road standpoint, and every care is
taken to have the measure such as
will effect greater safety in construc-
ton. Before beginning the draft of
the bill Representative Esch made
long investigation. going thoroughly
into the history of car construction.
He conferred also with government
officials. who expressed the opinion
that something should be done to pre-
vent the further construction of light
railway coaches which either tele-
scope or break like egg shells in the
event of a wreck, thereby causing
large death and casualty rate.
Lesson From SIeepers.
1t is asserted that the immunity
from death and injury which passen-
gers in sleeping cars enjoy is largely
due to the steel underframe construc-
tion, and it is understood that the
construction of the present day sleep
ing car will be taken as n standard.
In this event all day coaches, smOk-
ing cars. buffet cars. chair and parlOr
cars will have to be built with extern
sion steel beams and possibly be pro-
vided with steel platforms and nom
telescopable device.
In view of the unusual number of
lives sacrificed in railway wrecks the
last year. the urgent need of some
such legislation is appreciated. At
the same time the bill will undoubt-
edly give the railroads n reasonable
length Of time with which to comply
with the provisions of the measure.
This time will be sufficient to permit
of all old equipment wearing out. but
it will also provide that all cars to be
constructed after the passage of the
measure shall be of the required stand
ard. 1t is the purpose to place the
enforcement OF the measure III tIlG
hands of the interstate commission.
as is the case with the enforcement
of the automatic coupler and other
measures requiring the use of safety
devices.
Burlington Leases Iowa Line.
\ dispatch from Burlington states
that the C., b. & q. has acquired the
property of the Il. & w. railway, hav-
ing leased that property for 25 years.
The transfer is dated Dec. l, 1908, and
transfers the property. franchises and
and privileges. etc, of the b. q w.
from Mediapolis to Tracy. Iowa, to
the C., Il d Q. Its structures, tracks,
right If way. etc. are included. The
G., Il. |. d -. formerly the b.. c. Il. &
". between MediapoIis and Burling
ton. is also transferred. Their shops,
various property and other structures
in burlington go with the rest of the
property.
Lower Wages at New Shops.
\ recent order has gone into effect
at New Shops. whereby all laborers
employed will now receive 16 cents an
hour. instead of 20 cents. as hereto
fore. The order resulted in several
of the men quitting.
Lawrence Fuel Agent.
W. j. Lawrence, formerly Il division