The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-27
Railroad Board Takes a Turn
on New Lines.
Orders Company to Open dead
Head" Cars.
RYAN AT HEAD OF 1T,
Can Be Done Without Loss to
Company.
Railroads Given Till Tuesda!
to Answer Two Cent Fare.

Notice was sent to the Pullman Car
company today by the state board OF
railroad commissioners that II Is the
wish of the board that the Pullman
company arrange matters so that pas
sengers may be admitted to and car
ried on "deadhead" Pullman cars at
the usual Pullman rates. instead of
sending these cars through on crowded
trains locked and empty.
Unless the Pullman company COM
plies with this request. the board will
issue an order requiring the company
TO put deadhead cars into service.
1t is likely that the Pullman COM
pany and the railroads will resist such
an order. as it involves a general read
justment of the existing arrangements
concerning the handling of Pullman
traffic. At present, many empty Pull
mans are returned to Kansas City, or
hauled to points west for the accom-
modation of traffic. Owing to the
crowded condition of trains, these
empty Pullmans are an aggravation to
the passengers who are unable TO even
get place to sit down in the other
coaches, and who are perfectly willing
to pay for Pullman accommodations
Each of these Pullmans is in the charge
of a porter. but the car is not general
" lighted, and the railroad company
pays nothing for the use of the car,
nor does the Pullman company collect
anything from the railroad company.
The car is simply 'deadheaded empty
to some central point where it Is likely
to be needed.
Railroad Commissioner Frank J.
Ryan who started the movement to
require railroads to bulletin the time
for arrival of trains, is also the man
who started the new action to compel
the Pullman company to open its
deadhead cars to the accommodation
of the public. Mr.. Ryan said today in
speaking of the action of the board:
My experience since becoming
member of this board has shown me
that the opening of the Pullman dead
head cars Is one matter IN which the
railroads might well accommodate the
public This can be done not only
without loss, but with actual profit to
the company. for the board does not
expect the company to haul passen-
gers on its deadhead Pullmans at
other than regular rates. A few weeks
ago 1 was on very much crowded
train to which were attached several
empty Pullmans. There were about
a dozen of the passengers who were
arguing with the conductor of the
train in an effort to get him to open
up the Pullmans, and let them pay
fare in them. rather than stand up, for
all the seats on the regular coaches
were occupied The conductor
couldn't do it, because his orders were
to the contrary, but made up my
mind right then that I would see what
conditions. 1 believe the Pullman
company will find some way to open
its empty cars for the accommodation
of the public. instead of sending them
through without profit
G. w. Kanavel chairman of the
board, said: Il don't know what rail-
road commissions in other states have
ever done concerning this matter, but it
certainly looks reasonable that the
Pullman cars should be opened for the
use of the public, when the trains are
Overcrowded as they almost always are.
1t makes no difference to us what other
states have done; if the order is rea-
sonable and necessary, we will issue IT..
1t is understood that in order to COM
ply with the order of the board, the
Pullman company would have to ar
range to have it's ears in charge of a
conductor and porter when being dead
headed.
At their session this morning, the
state board of railroad commissioners
ordered the IL railroad companies do
ing business in Kansas to answer to the
two-cent fare complaint on or before
Tuesday September 3, at which time
the board will meet and resume the
consideration of the case. The COM
munication which was sent out today
to each Of the railroads is as follows:
Enclosed herewith find copy of COM
plant filed by State of Kansas ex rel.
G. F. Grattan. attorney for the board,
VS.. A T. & S. F. Railway company
end others in re esta blishment of emer-
gency two-cent passenger rate.
II am instructed by the board to
request you to file the answer of your
company to this complaint on or be-
fore Tuesday. Sept. 8, on which date
the board will hear testimony as to the
existence of such an emergency.
by order of the board.
"E. c. SINNER, Secretary.
G. F. Grattan. attorney for the
board, and E. c. Sinner, secretary, |
will leave Thursday for Omaha, where |
they will take testimony of Nebraska |
railroad officials. and of officers of the |
Nebraska board concerning the con- |
ditions existing in Nebraska, for the !
purpose of showing that conditions in |
eas, and that the railroad companies
can as well afford to establish a 2
cent rate here as in that state.
1t is the opinion that If the show
ing is what it is expected it will be,
the board Will issue the 2-cent fare
order next Tuesday. and that the rail-
road companies will put in the rate
without much of any fight. Several of
the roads are ready to put in the
rate Immediately but thev want the
board to issue its order first.
Governor Hoch returned to Topeka
today and when asked if he had any
statement to make concerning the 3
cent fare situation replied:
ct have said what have to saw. 7
am simply watting-and keeping my
powder dry
Attorney Grattan declined to make
any statement concerning the plans for
getting testimony in Nebraska
1--WE don't know what We can get |
until we get up there and see what
there is"
expects to put in some time while in
Omaha studying the Nebraska rate |
situation, and getting information of /