The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-04-05
nnIroad LeaIsIatIon


pendence which exists between the
railroads and the public. Unreason-
able and onerous burdens should not
be laid upon these corporate enter
prises which have so materially and
especially developed the resources Of
our State. l again recommend, as
/ did TO the Legislature of 1905, that
the Railroad Commission be made a
constitutional branch OF the State
Government. 4" In view of the very
serious conditions brought about by
the lack OF physical equipment Of
many of the railroads In this State,
and the consequent loss and damage
TO the business, and the loss OF life
and the increased danger to passen-
ger traffic, | also deem It proper TO
repeat my recommendation 10 the
Legislature of 1905 in regard TO en-
towering the Railroad Commission 4
make suitable provisions for the IA
spection of the physical condition 81
Ehe railroads In the State. I also
would recommend that he railroad
companies doing business In this State
be required to make a report to the
Railroad Commission every six months
OF the number OF engines and cars OF
the several classes and kinds, and
their condition and location, and the
amount OF their terminal trackage and
transfer facilities. The power OF the
Railroad Commission as to the en-
forcement Of the rules and orders in
regard to the payment OF demurrage
for delayed freight or supply Of freight
cars upon such conditions as IL may
prescribe, should be ample and enec-
i've, and in the recovery of fines and
penalties imposed by the Railroad
Commission, a law similar to the
present Stock Claim Law" should
be passed allowing the recovery OF
twice the amount Of such fine or PEN
atty, together with attorney fees
where Il Is necessary 70 bring suit
70 recover the same. The convent
ence Of the travelling public requires
a closer observance OF schedules, OF
at least more reliable information tc
the public as 70 the whereabouts Of
trains and the time OF their arrival
AZ the various stations along the
route. I would recommend that
statute be passed prohibiting the rail-
roads operating in this State from
keeping any employe in continuous
service for more than sixteen consec-
utive hours, and that no such EN-
ploye, after sixteen consecutive hours
Of service, shall be permitted to again
20 on duty without having had al
least ten hours on duty; except IN
cases OF emergency, such az accidents
or wrecks, or delayed schedules. And
ths, the average number OF hours daily
service for station agents and opera
tors should be limited 70 not more
than ten hours per day would
recommend that no person less than
Is years Of age he permitted TO per-
fcrm the duties Of train dispatcher
or railroad telegraph operator upor
whose messages trains are dispatched
or handled. The records OF the Rail
road Commission show that for the II
months ending June 80, 1905, there
we're killed BY railroad accidents II
this state lfty employees and nine pAa.
sonRors, and four hundred and thirty
soven employees and pAsbsnBers In
Jared. II f., therefore, your duty u
vhrow every safeguard and protection
to the public around the lives Of those
employed In the railroad trafac Of thii
! state a. we'll a. The travelling public
Snd no reasonable precaptiOn Shoult
b neglected which will AFFORD thi'
protectIou. You should pass sucl
statutes a. Will make II mandatory
upon the nearest Justice OF the peace
acting az coroner, 10 proceed imme'
dlAtsly TO whore any person has beef
killed in any accident or train wreck
and 20 hold an inquest and ascertain
the cause Of such accident, and VIII
IL 10 blame therefor. would recon-
mend that the express companies
the telegraph and telephone lines o
the State be placed under the jurisdic
ton OF the Railroad Commission.
would recommend q law regulatin
the issue OF stocks and bonds by cor
porations, modelled upon that of thos
States where Il Is in successful Oper
alton. I would not be understood a
recommending the lessening Of wage
paid to any employe. but would rec
ommend thar the railroads be prohib