The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-06
WRITE TO GOULD.
Railroad Board Threatens to Put on
Track Inspectors.

The state board of railroad COM
missioners this afternoon gave out
the following letter which the board
ordered sent to George ]. Gould,
president of the Missouri Pacific rail-
way, with reference to the answer
sent the board by General Manager
A. w. Sullivan:
"The fact is that three-fourths of
the Missouri Pacific mileage in Kansas
is in deplorable condition, as alleged
by the United Commercial travellers,
and this fact is well known to every
resident of Kansas who travels over
the lines of your company, as we'll as
to all Missouri Pacific officials in the
state, Mr.. Sullivan Included. The en-
closed letter is characteristic of the
policy of management Mr.. Sullivan
has adopted with reference to Kansas,
and the Kansas railroad commission.
The first three paragraphs of his
communication could not have been
inspired by any other motive than that
of indicating, that in his opinion the
board is actuated by political motives
in taking action against the Missouri
Pacific Railway company. Mr.. Sui
livan will learn, in the course of time,
that such is not the case.
with reference to Mr.. Sullivan S
statement that it has been his policy
to deal with the board in the most
frank and friendly way. and as far as
lalQ In MS power u COuuPlJ with lhO
orders thereof I beg to advise you
that perusal of the records of the
board will inform you that of the COM
plants filed before the board against
all railway companies operating In the
state a majority thereof are hled
against the Missouri Pacinc, Whlch
fact, in a general way, indicates mis-
management of the property, and fur-
ther examination of such records Will
advise you that the policy of the Mis-
souri, Pacific in the handling OF such
complaints is almost entirely antago-
nistic to the complaints of the board,
and that such attitude is not INDUCED
| in by the management of other COM
panies operating in the state.
From Mr.. Sullivans letter you will
note that he attributes the present
| condition of the Missouri Paclnc
property to the fact that during the
spring months there was heavy rain
| fall in the state. An investigation Will
| advise you that this is incorrect, as
! the property was not in standard con-
dition proir to such rainy season as
| well as that the other railway COM
panies operating in Kansas have long
since recovered from the effects of the
flood. their properties having been as
severely injured as that of the Mis-
souri, Pacific.
| "You Wilt note from Mr.. Sullivan's
| letter that he does not attempt to COM
| ply with the request of the board, but
chooses to understand that the board
| has reference to Central Branch con-
ditions only, and to assert that his
i company has complied with its obli-
cations to the board and to the public
| and that he can not understand why
the public mind should be prejudiced
against his company because of con-
ditions over which he has no control.
1.-The purpose of this letter is to advise
you that the public discomfort is
caused by conditions over which Mr.
Sullivan has control, and of which, as
general manager of your property, ne
should have knowledge, and that un'
less YOU choose to instruct Mr.. Sullivan
to change his policy in regard to main
tenance of Missouri railway property
| in Kansas. and to comply with the re-
Quest of the board. as quoted above it
| is the purpose of the board to proceed
| as heretofore stated.
The threat to proceed as heretofore
stated" means to appoint inspectors to
make weekly reports on Missouri Pa
cific track conditions.