New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-21
PENNSYLVANIA MOVES.
Cutting off Their Passes Rouses
Legislators to action.
tpy TeleEraph to me Tribune.I

Ptttsburg Jan. 2o.-With absolutely no control
over the thousands OF miles Of railroads that run
through the state Pennsylvania is at last awaken
ing 20 the fact that action OF kind is neces-
sary. If the people OF the state expect TO receive
fair show from the great corporations. The Penn
sylvania Legislature OF 1877 met the first OF the
year and then adjourned until the third Mon
day IN the month. After the session recOnvenes one
Of the first questions to be taken up will be rail-
road legislation.
Pennsylvania has no commission anything else
with which 20 control the railroads nothing except
the meagre provisions OF the state constitution
garding common carriers and two special acts. one
passed IN ls49 and the other passed in 1868 These
special acts might have been good half century
ago. but the railroads have long since outgrown
them.
ANY I'VE persons who have the money TO secure
charter can build a railroad in Pennsylvania All
that is necessary is to select the route, and then
TO apply for the charter. The application is placed
the Commonwealth, the Auditor General and the
Attorney General OF the state. So unmportant is
name being known only as the special com
mittee" Tho committee is supposed to 90 over
the proposed route but II never does. The appli-
cation is then indorsed and the Governor signs It
Thus railroad company is formed.
complied with by the railroads. and heretofore
there has been no one to protest The constitution
competing lines but no attention is paid to it. The
constitution also makes the maximum fare three
cents mile, and the railroads respect that only
because the people would not allow them to charge
more. There the law ends. There is no commits
sion TO that the laws enforced.
At the coming session OF the Legislature there
likely to be marked changes. Many bills
wifi be introduced regarding the regulation OF rail-
roads. There is every indication that of them
Harrsbug for the first timo at their oWn expense
This shutting off Of the passes seems likely to have
faF-reaching results for now there Is likelihood
that laws will be passed in the interest OF the peo
the bills TO be presented viii provide for fat
rate OF cents mile throughout the state, the
same as is now In effect in Ohio. and II will On
doubleday be passed There will also be legislation
regarding mileage books Representative Harry
Riley. Of this district. win present bin for the
appointment Of a commission 70 measure all rail-
commission will be taken, instead of those Of the
railroads. In determining the distance from one
point 20 another Within the last few years numer-
curves have been eliminated on the Pennsyl-
New York is fifty miles less than Il was before
Still tho conductors have collected the fare for the
same number OF niles; as torInerly -,
move to have the State OF Pennsylvania follow
up the revelations. made before the Interstate
Commerce Commission, Of graft In tho manage
ment Of railroad and coal companies and TO probe
OF the Constitution and the statutes has already
been made IN the state Senate by Senator John
the. investigation will also cover coal companies.
and that special counsel will be engaged to advise
the committeeman ana to assist In the examination
OF witnesses. The committee Is expected 10 hold
sessions ia Philadelphia PittsburE Harrisburg
Scranton and other cities.
II the principal bills far prepared 20 regulate
Legislature Pennsylvania win be we'll protected
The state political leaders have agreed 20 offer
objection 20 their passage and the members 4 the
Legislature. stung into action AT last by the CUT
they term revenge" that which, a matter Of
fact. is merely their sworn duty.