New-York tribune., 1908-02-17
I. c. BOARD PLEASED.
RaiIscoy Officials Inclined to Obey
Shirt of the Lac.

Washington. Feb Naturalization is expressed
by the Interstate Commerce Commission two
conditions that have arisen within day or two.
In concrete form they mean that American rail-
way officials, class doing all that lies in
their power situations that have developed
under the laws applying to interstate traffic.
The effect of this disposition the part Of the
carriers is reassuring to the members Of the COM
mission and is certain to be equally so to the peo-
pie of the country.
Information has reached the commission that the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company proposes TO
put into effect tomorrow throughout its system the
so-calIed nine-hour law, which by its terms does
not become operative until March next The law
limits the hours of service of all classes OF train
operatives, particularly locomotive engineers and
firemeal. train dispatchers, railway telegraphers
towernlen and signal operators. Recently the In
terstate Commerce Commission requested by
the operating vice presidents OF twelve i'm
portant systems of railway to extend the time OF
going into effect of the nine-hour provision
plying employees who direct the movements of
trains. 1t pointed out that nine hours consti-
tuted an unusual and awkward period, duties
of that kind have to be performed twenty-four
hours every day. If shifts Of train dspatchers
telegraph operators and sgnaImen each worked
nine there would be period OF six hours in every
twenty-four which could not be covered satisfac-
toriy, either 10 the themselves to the rail-
roads 1t indicated that tricks of eight hours
might be better for all concerned. but for such
period of work the could not be paid wages
which they would regard adequate for their
needs. And III addition 1t might be difficult TO OBJ
tain the services of enough skilled men to make
llp three shifts every tuenty-four hours on all of
the railroads in America.
Already the commission has set February q as a
date on which ii will hear formal applications for
an extension of the time of the operation of the
nine-hour provision. If the time be extended as TO
the railroads which able TO show the commits
sion good cause for the extension-and the exten-
,r1--
lines which make application and whose applica-
tions heard forually-it is expected that pro
posai will be made in Congress for the amendment
Of the law in accordance with the showing made
before the commission at the hearing
However the Baltimore Ohio does not purpose
10 await the result OF the hearing. AS explained
To the commission, the purpose of the officials OF
that system is to put the law into effect imme-
dia tely, In order that both the officials and the
operatives may become familiar with the
ditions before they made imperative by the act
itself It is the desire of the officials and so
pressed. TO meet every reasonable requirement of
law that may be made through them Should the
the law be unsatisfactory, either to the
the railroad. practical operation. that fact
may be developed in time 10 have remedies already
applied before March l.
Another source of qualification to the commits
sion is the very general compliance the rail-
roads with that provision of the Hepburn act
which makes It obligatory upon carriers to submit
the COn1SSlon monthly reports covering every
phase of the operation of interstate roads A few
weeks ago II was announced in tentative way
that several important systems, notably the New
York Central lines had declined 20 furnish reports
to the commission in accordance with the law and
In conformity with the regulations and forms pre-
sCribed by the commission. 1t was held by the
counsel for the New York Central lines. for in
stance that that provision Of the law
stitutional, and II understood to be the ad-
vice OF counsel that the officials refuse the reports
Within a day understanding has been
reached between the commission and the New York
Central BY which the road has filed with the
mission complete reports Of its operations for the
five months ending November 80 last. The
mission now has complete reports for five months
ending November so OF % per Of the railroad
mileage OF the country Reports for the month of
December are coming in slowly. perhaps because
a. this period of the year the railroad accountants
are busy compiling the annual statements. 1t is
expected, however. that by the first Of March sub
stantially complete reports from all the railroads
of the United States for the six months ended
January ! will be the hands Of the commission.
In the opinion of the commission and the most
conservative railway officials these reports when
properly compiled and published by the commits
sion will be of immense value only to the
railroad interests themselves also, and per
haps principally, the investing public. Through
these reports Will be possible all times for
investor TO ascertain definitely from the commits
sion the precise condition Of any Of the 730
interstate roads in America In the opinion OF
well informed observers this information will prove
OF incalcuable value especially investors among
the people Of the country.