Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-09-15
MUST REPAIR
 TRACKS IN 40 DAYS Railroad Commission Has Inspected the Iron Noun tain Road From This City South-Bad Condition.
1000 TIES PER MILE
Is Needed to Place ROadbed in Good Condition-Delays Caused in Lou. isiana-Inspection of Depots Also Made No Evidence of Wrecks.

The railroad commission of Arkan. sas, which returned at o'clock yes terday morning from an inspection of that part of the Valley division of the Iron Mountain within the state, found that an average of 1000 new ties per mile would be required to put the road in first class condition, says the Little Rock Gazette. In one mile of track there are about 5000 ties, so that about one-third of the entire number of ties between Little Rock and the Louisiana state line would have to be replaced in order to bring the track up to the standard. Work is being done, the commits sion learned, on the line at present, and at the conclusion of the inspec- tion assurance was given that the re- pairs would be completed within forty days. At the expiration of that time it is purposed to make another in- spection and see if the conditions complained of have been remedied.
 The work which the railroad is now doing will cost when completed it is estimated. s2OOOO0, and perhaps more &
 The Commissions Statement.
 Following is an official statement issued by the commission after their return:
 "The commission having received numerous Complaints with reference Valley division of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern railway, in line with these complaints it was decided by the commission to make an in- spection of that portion of the divis- ion in Arkansas.
 Commissioners J. E. Hampton, John w. Corbett and R. P. Allen left Little Rock on the morning of Sep tember 12, and made an inspection of the entire line inA rkansas, and below is given a report of their inspection
 From Little Rock to Pine Bluff, a distance of AZ miles, we found the roadbed and track in fairly good con- dition.
 ''F'rom Pine Bluff to McGehee, a great number of ties are in bad con- dition. There is considerable work being done on this portion of the road and new ties are being put in.
 From McGehee to the state line, g distance of 45 miles, we did not fino the conditions so bad as between Pine Bluff and McGehee, and much evid ence of recent work on this portion o1 the road were apparent
 From information gathered iron the people at the stations nearest the state line the delays to northbount trains occur in nearly every instance before reaching the Arkansas state line.
 "The general condition of the roaC would be good but for the fact tha there are a number of rotten ties or the division, which should be removed at once, and at least 1000 ties pel mile will be necessary.
 The railroad company has proh- ised us that within 30 or 40 days the entire line in Arkansas will be put in first class condition, and there is evidence to bear out this statement New ties have been distributed over the division and the section gangs have nearly all been doubled for this work.
 The commission will withhold making an order at this time Wlt reference to the condition of this rail road, and we think that the railroad company should be given the time asked in which to renew ties and make necessary repairs, after which another inspection of the line will be made, and if it is deemed necessary at that time, an appropriate order will be made.
 "J. E. Hampton, Chairman; 1 John w. Crockett, l R. P. Allen,
 Commissioners