The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-21
By R. H. W atkins

inquiry upon the part of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committed, under the kean resolution, will establish the facts, and probably suggest the wisest and best waS of dealing with the dues- tions.
 If this is done, and some maturely considered legislative measure shall be proposed with the purpose of effective ly remedying such evils as shall be found to exist, but without an incon- gruous and unnecessary assumption of practical administration over railway revenues. then I am sure railway mana support"
 It will be remembered that President spencer was examined at a hearing be- fore the House Committee on Inter- siderable length on the questions at issue. and that what he had to say greatly pleased railway managers gem orally and particularly those operating in the Southern States.
 Criticisms Unjustihed.
 The popular interest displayed in the subject of car sanitation and car ven- tilation by the boards of health of the larger cities has evoked some caustic not giving more attention to this mat ter of vital interest to their passengers.
 To certain extent, at least, such criticisms appear to be unjustified, and 1t is authoritatively denied that any railroad has hampered the efforts of the scientists to study the relation of car ventilation and sanitation to the public health. 1t Is true that some street railway systems. notably those of New York and Chicago have pad little or no attention to improving the venti- lation of their cars, but on the other hand number of the steam railroads, the Pullman Company and others, are seeking the latest information on the hn Ma ttoI vice and other public health laborato- ries where this question is being studied and have expressed their v, ingness to cooperate with the hea.tn tions that may promise greater safe guards for the public health.
 The laboratory of the Marine Hos pital Service has been Investigating this subject for some time, and, all though Congress failed to make the small specific appropriation asked for in the Hughes resolution, owing to the lateness of the session, the investiga- tion will be continued. It is under stood the Marine Hospital Service is in correspondence with other laboratories engaged in similar work and much in- teresting material is being collected.
 Although not wishing to comment at length upon an investigation now in progress, Dr. Walter Wyman, Surgeon General of the Marine Hospital Ser vice, may be quoted as saying:
 Just how much danger there is of contagion through vitiated air in the ordinary day coach now in use, or in the Pullman sleeping and palace cars, has not yet been definitely determined and the matter Is still being investi- gated by a number of laboratories, among them that of the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service"
 .. Somewhat strange to say, the infor- nation collected today points to the State of Texas as having been the pio- neer in this movement, due doubtless Ito It's excellent railroad commission, of which much has been lately heard in connection with the regulation of rail- road rates. It is claimed there Is much danger to the passengers of contract ing contagious diseases from the fine dust arising from the carpet and up- holstery while the car is in motion and which the imperfect ventilation of the car compels the passengers to inhale So strongly was this fact impressed on the Legislature of Texas in 1908 that a law was enacted authorizing the State Health Officer to formulate rules governing the cleaning and disinfect- ing of cars and public buildings, and one of the regulations promulgated un- der this law absolutely prohibits the sweeping or dusting of the cars while in transit in the State of Texas, except at terminal points or meal stations where the passengers will be given an opportunity to leave the car during that time" R. H, Watkins.