The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-22
KANAvEL SMOKED OUT.
VIII Hereafter Make Public Results
of Track Inspections.

George w. Kanavel, chairman OF
the board of railroad commissioners
stated this morning that in the future
he will make public the result of his
track inspections in the state.
THE only reason 1 had for object
ing to giving out the results of the
Missouri Pacific inspection" said Mr..
Kanavel this morning, was that I did
not want to be coerced. If the pub
lie wants the results of these track in
spections, 1 have no objection. In
fact, the public has been made &C
quainted with practically all the or
ders given to the Missouri Pacific,
and these orders are now being obey
ed. The Missouri Pacific is buying
ties wherever it can find them, and Is
practically rebuilding a good deal or
its line in Kansas. The light steel
west of Leoti is being replaced by
heavy steel, and in some places the
roadbed is being widened n resur-
faced.
IT have not yet commenced my in
spection of the Santa Fe, but the San
ia Fe lines are known to be in gen.
erally good condition. When I COM
plete that inspection, I will have no
objection to making public the re-
suits" -
1t is expected that Mr.. Ryker will
follow the example of the chairman.
Commissioner Ryan some
days ago that he would make pubic
his findings on the condition OF the
NJ. X. & T. line, and today gave out
the findings.
dition of track between each of the
stations on the line, between Junction
CITY and Parsons and FAR
sons and Paola. The 80 miles De
tween Parsons and Paola he finds TO
he in first class condition, but on the
function City-Parsons branch, the
track is generally rough ana many
bad ties were spotted
on the branch sbetween JunctiqP
City and Parsons h maximum scheq-
ME for passenger trains is Is miles an
hour. Maximum schedule for frelght
trains is Is miles an hour.
Continuing MIR. Ryan. says: with
reference to the above report, tnls IN
spcction was made in compliance with
section 3, of chapter 26s, laws of 1907.
and is therefore, in the interest OF tne
people of Kansas in general, ana the
travelling public in particular, ana not
in the interest of the Missouri, Kansas
q Texas railroad, nor any other ran
road The commission assumes that
inspections are made in compliance
with the above section, and their outy
&c to go over the tracks, and make a
careful examination OF the defects.
recommending improvements and
changes. where necessary, in order
that such changes and mprovements
may tend to promote public safety;
mo attempt is made to attack the
railroads Tor the cohuitloh SI.
tracks, neither is there any ent
on the part of the commissioners TO
defend the railroads for such condl-
tions.
1--WE simply comply with h stat
utes. by pointing out the defects, with
a recommendation that improvements
be made where indicated, which IS
done.
"As to the improvements, and there
were Indications of improvements,
along the line, we take the position.
that in a state like Kansas. where all
the railroads are ngaged IN 1a1r ana
bI,sinessik competition. it is the
privilege of the roads. and 1t should
also be a pleasure on their part, to ad-
vertise their improvements in the
public press of the state. as a matter
of business"