The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-24
HE STIRS Them UP
j. L.Sheppard Sharply Criticises
Railroad Board.
Charges Secretary Sinner With
Being Over Officious.,
HE DEMANDS ACTION.
Wants Report on Condition of
ROadbed.
Board Refuses to Make the
Order Requested.
HE DEMANDS ACTION.

| At a decidedly spirited meeting of the
state board of railroad commissioners
this afternoon, the majority of the board
refused to make an order requiring the
Missouri Pacific to repair its dilapidated
right of way in Kansas, until the in
spection of the track is completed.
| The board was addressed by ]. /.
Sheppard, secretary of the Trackmen,s
union, which made the complaint against
the Missouri Pacific. Mr.. Sheppard se-
verely criticised E. C. Sinner, secretary
; of the board, for over-officiousness He
declared that Mr.. Sinner was writing
letters predicting future actions of the
board. that he had declared that the
Missouri Pacific plea in abatement was
good law, that he was trying to advise
and instruct the members OF the board
Mr.. Sheppard intimated that unless the
board made an order he would seek an
order of the court compelling immediate
action L
G.. F. Grattan, the new attorney for
the board, made his first official APP
pearance. He declared that in his:
judgment the board was not obliged to-
make any public order; that it could
simply instruct the Missouri Pacific
privately what changes should be
made in its right of way, and that IL
this was not complied with, an official
complaint should follow.
Chairman G. w. Kanavel was not,
for that reason nothing was done at
that session p
The meeting this morning at the
board rooms threatened at times to be-
come somewhat acrimonious. It was ev
ident that Mr.. Sheppard felt thar the
board was delaying his case unneces-
saIily, for he said so.
"Of course I don't want the board 10
rush this matter during tht, absence OF
the chairman" said Sheppard. But
two members of the board have told rIe
that the condition of the line as far as
inspected is worse than was claimed
in the complaint, and so 1 can't see
why the board should not issue an or
der affecting that part of the road:
II am willing to make an order" said
Mr.. Ryan. II can go to the typewriter
and draft an order in ten minutes that
Will express my sentiments.
Meantime Commissioner Ryker had
been whispering busily with E. c.
Sinner, secretary of the board. Mr..
Sinner is accused by Mr.. Sheppard of
being too officious- in his conduct AMI OF
trying to dictate the boards actions,
Mr.. Ryker said: I'VE do not feel as
though 1t would be proper to proceed
and issue an order in the absence of Mr.
Kanavel. We have agreed, however,
that we Will be ready to resume the
Inspection of the road next WEDNESDAY
morning at 10 O'Clock. We have a hear
ing for next Tuesday. and can't get at
tt is matter any sooner"
II am willing to draft the order right
now" said Mr.. Ryan.
Frank" said Mr.. Sinner, the secre-
tary, have you looked at the law. have
you, to see whether you can make an
order at all, have your"
YES" replied Mr.. Ryan, I'VE have
plenty of authority to make the order.
And I believe it should be an order, not
a recommendation. am tired of this
recommendation business"
There's no question about the boards
right to make an order said MT. Shep-
pard IT should think the board, know
ing the frightful condition of the Mis-
souri, Pacific track, would do this for
it's own protection. If some people are
killed as a result of these bad condi-
tons, the board wants to be in posi-
ton to clear it's skirts as far as pos
sible."
IN my judgment" said Mr.. Ryker.
1--WE should merely set the time for con-
tinuing this inspection, since the chair
man is absent"
IT shall insist upon an order being
made as soon as the chairman arrives"
said Mr.. Ryan.
yes, and L shall hang around here
and wait till he arrives" said Mr..
Sheppard II want to have little talk
with the board when he arrives, and
explain why 1 think this order should
be issued. 1t seems to me it is trif1ing
with the law to keep delaying a report
when you know the conditions of the
main line of this road"