New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-14
MANY RAILWAY ACTS.
JERSEY ROADS AFFECTED.
Numerous Bills Introduced, Most of
Them against Companies.
Ia Te!eeranl1 20 The TrLbune.l


Trenton. " J.. March 13.-The railroad bills intro
duced in the Legislature this winter appear TO be
all antagonstic the railroads. and backed by
Democratic Assemblymen. one is fathered by
Senator Colby. 1t provides for railroad commits
sion Of three members At salaries Of $4,000.
Mr.. dwell OF Essex has intpoduced a bill pro-
vidng that every railroad other corporation
shall be liable for damages for personal injury suf
fered by any employee in its service. However. the
employe must exercise ordinary and diligence
under these conditions. when injury is caused by
any defects in the condition of the works.
Another measure by Mr.. dwell provides that any
railroad shall obey the order of any board Of
missioners hereafter established by law.
relative to the safety Of its right of way its
rolling stock, its bridges any tools. If Il
does obey the order the certificate the ruling
sof the board with failure obey the order shall
be pTesumptive evidence of negligence on the part
of the railroad
Perhaps the most important bill relative to rail-
roads was introduced by Edward II. Wright jr
Of Essex County. This bin authorizes the estab-
lishment Of a stste board Of railroad commission
efs' 10 consist OF five citizens be appointed by
me Governor and confirmed by the Senate, the
term OF each being fixed three years
These commissioners must be above twentv-dva
years 81 and cannot be interested in any rail-
road or public utility corpora tio this state or in
any stock, bond. mortgage. security or earning Of
any such company. Each must take an oath that
ne Is not in any corporation OF this nature and is
federal or state government
The board is 10 have unlimited power in regulat-
Ing railroad matters 1t has the power 10 adopt ali
necessary rates and charges governing freight and
passenger traffic. To correct abuses and prevent
unjust discrimination and eNtortion in the railroad
rates and TO infi2t penalties. The board also has
authority To INSPECT the books or papers Of any
railroad company ard 10 examine under oath any
officer. agent or enlploye the business Of the
railroad he IS employed by or on the affairs Of the
same
The commissioners and all other persons serv-
ing under the board 10 receive only their
necessary and actual travelling expenses from the
state. The board or any of its officials has the
right of entry on any land, property bridges sta
TONS tracks, cto IF any railroad OF the state and
may hold sessions anywhere IN the state. The
board has absolute power to inquire into all rail-
road matters II may desire.
Another bill by Mr.. Wright deals with railroad
rates. II provides that any company which shall
charge or collect, demand Or receive greater
rate charge or compensation than that estab-
llshed by the State Board Of Commissioners shall
be guilty Of eNtOItion and shall pay fne of not
less than 500 than $l.G0 Unjust discTim-
nation is defined and provision S made :or a ine
o. MOI less thhn 500 or more than 5000 when a
railroad company Is convicted under this section.
power TO apply for receiver :o- the guilty cor
A third bill by Mr.. Wright oornpeis railroads to
penalty Of $2j DAY for each car that is fur
nS5iea.
Supplemental to the commission bill are three
other bills by tie same Assemolyme1 Under these
tie ECaId of Commissioners has power thoroughly
10 ponce ana regulate All the street railways Ia the
Mr.. Wright is also sponsor for 4 bill that com
peis railroads delivering freight IN cars 70 give
prompt notice Of the arrivals of such freight, and
further compels them 10 place the loaded at
hours after their arrival Under This measure
shippers consignees of less than sixty thousand
and shippers OF sixty thousand pounds or over
seventy-two hours for unloading. Demurrage fees
of 81 a day allowed the railroad for each car
detained over the time stated in the bill
In another bill the question Of railroad connection
is treated This measure requires Two or more
railroads run or operated in the state which con-
another 10 run their passenger trains so as to con-
meet with another
authorizes railroad 10 lay out and construct or
acquire. lease purchase any branch line not eN-
oeeding two miles in length. extending from the
main line or from any branch line 10 any mil,
factory manufa CtuTing plant.
road refuses to make switching connection with
any owner tenant ncensee Of lands abuttiug the
board established to police or regulate railroads to
compel such switch connection.
Another railroad measure pending is fathered by
Senator Frelinghuysen. and was introduced to OF
set the Democratic railroad commission measure
presented by Assembyman Wright Senator Ere
iinghuysen's bill provides for commission 10 in
Yesugate the whole subject or railroads IN New
railroad commission is needed In New Jerseyl
There two other bills by Henry J. Earle %
Passaic. One provides that no railroad company
shall be entitled TO any charge for deIay in un-
loading goods until after the expiration Of two DAYS
from the time such car has been placed in posi-
The other b1I provides that every locomotive
while in operation shall carry least two men In
plain sight of each other while each IS performing
his duty. In any locomotive is so Constructed
that the engine driver cannot be conveniently
vided and ne must be able to operate the loco
motive fine Of 500 is provided for violation OF
this requirement.