The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-08
SHEPPARD AGAIN.
Lands a Few JoJIts on the Kansas
Railroad Commission.

J. I. Sheppard, secretary of the Ma
tional Union of Railway Trackmen,
who started the fight before the Kansas
railroad commission for an inspection
has issued a circular letter to the press
of Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska in
which he charges that with the ex-
ception of Knott of Missouri and Ryan
of Kansas the railroad commissioners of
Missouri and Kansas are given to sly
foot methods and to hobnobbing with
the railway officials"
Frank Ryan, the Kansas member,
stated today that he would start out
this week on an inspection of the Mis-
souri,. Kansas & Texas tracks. He will
be given the use Of a small inspection
car. designed especially for track work.
1t consists of a small engine, and ac-
commodations for five passengers IN
front of the engine Mr.. Ryan will
travel over the Katy lines on this ma
chine.
Mr. sheppard's letter is in part as
follows:
Our union has fled complaints
with the railway commissioners of Mis-
souri, Kansas and Nebraska, charging
that the Missouri Pacific Railway COM
pany has so long neglected to repair its
tracks that they have become unsafe
for travel. These complaints are true.
Every one who travels on the Missouri
Pacific in it's present condition does SO
at the risk of his life.
Chairman Knott of the Missouri
commission is trying in good faith to
compel this company to put its tracks
in safe condition, and the same can De
said of Frank Ryan, a member of the
Kansas board. The other members of
the Missouri and Kansas commissions
are going about the matter in such a
half hearted apologize manner that,al-
though more than 30 days have passed
since our complaints were filed. the
railway tracks of the company are to-
day in as bad condition as When the
complaints were made. On the other
hand the Nebraska commissioners in
a prompt and decisive manner in
spected the tracks and by drastic or
der compelled the company to set ABOUT
making the necessary repairs. Every
thing done by the Nebraska commas
sioners in the premises is made mat
fer of public record. and this is why
the railroad SO readily acqulesceS IN
the boards order In Kansas and Mis-
souri, with the exception OF Messrs'
Knott and Ryan, the commissioners are
given to sly-foot methods and to hoo-
not,bing with the railroad officials.
"Some method should be found 10
force these derelict officials to do their
duty. The most effective remedy we
can think of is for you gentlemen Oh
the press to- inform the public of ac-
tual conditions. If the people generally
learn of the dangers of travelling over
the roads and the, laxity of the rail-
way commissioners Sin dealing with the
company. two things will result: The
railroad will put its tracks in safe con-
dition for the transportation OF pas
eengers. and the commissioners will be
driven from Office.
..Our campaign is not to stop with the
Missouri Pacific. We have reports from
more than 1000 trained track workers
in all parts of the United States. de-
clarifig that these conditions prevail
everywhere, in varying degrees Inc
Missouri Pacific is reported to be rather
the worst of the lot; but other sys-
TENS are not immune to similar critf-
cism. one by one these other systems
are to be taken up in the same man
ner, until all have made provision for
ma :ntaining the tracks and roadbeds in
a condition that gives reasonable
guaranty of safety for the public.
I'VE bespeak your interest and sup
port in what we believe to be neces-
sary work"