Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-08
!: LOOKER.ON IN IOWA !
8

Toledo, Jan. s.-The story sent out
that the railroad companies will not
seriously fight a two-cent fare bill, IN
the coming legislature, is received by
the people cum grano sails Former
tactics are remembered. Apparently to
acquiesce, then at the critical moment
to kill the measure by parliamentary
practice, amend 1t, to death or refer back
to committee that forgets to report
1t again during the present session.
These and a dozen other ways are
much easier for the railroads to work
than open and above board, direct OPP
position.
The fact Of the matter is. there is no
general demand by the people for a
two-cent fiat rate. Many of course
would like such a rate, but there Is
no general interest in having such a
measure pass this coming legislature.
There Is decided demand for reform
in freight rates, this on certain COM
modities, wherein some locality feels
aggrieved because some other town in
or out Of the state has advantages to
the detriment of the trade Of other in
terested places. There is universal
demand that in the matter Of car
shortage, some legislation be brought
about to remedy the existing evils.
Radical extremists favor methods inn
possible for any railroad to comply
with but law giving would-be
shipper the same rate per day for nom
furnished cars, as is now collected off
chit vr,to foil fn unload
cars, seems to have an element Of JUS
tice in it, and is quite generally APP
proved. What is sauce for the goose
is sauce for the gander."
And while the people are not clamor-
ing for 2-cent fare, they are saying
harsh things about the numerous rail-
way accidents that are becoming all
too frequent. One man says IF the
lax methods are possible with
an income from cents a mile, what
would be the result when 2 cents a
mile is the ruler" Any one travelling
continuously notices and observes
many things these railroad companies
do to save time and money. The block
system does not block trains. Every
day blocks are broken by train dis
patches. Trains are not supposed to
follow one another within ten minutes
time. Every day trains start out of
stations one minute after preceding
trains. All trains are supposed to
come to full stop on grade crossings
unless said crossings are equipped with
derailing apparatus, yet every day
some trains only "slow up" All cars,
both passenger and freight, are sup
posed to be inspected at certain points
at regular intervals, but they are not
Every day cars pass these points be-
cause the present force of car inspect
ors find it physically impossible to do
the work, and the company will not
20 to the expense of hiring more in
spectors. The same reckless methods
are pursued in regard to the care of
the road beds, rails, switches and
bridges. Section men sufficient in
number to do the necessary work and
repairs cannot be had in these days at
$1.4O per day, but rather than raise
the wages Of section men, inspection
and repairs are neglected.
The same short sighted policy pre-
walls in the hiring OF cheap men on
some Of second and third class rail-
roads. this at stations where train orr
ders are received and on freight trains
where inexperienced, reckless and dis
sipated men go to make up the crews.
One drunken station agent not long