Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-20
Salt Lake and Ogden Held Liable
To Interstate Commerce
Rulings.
HOW THIS is EXPLAINED.
Because Lagoon Road Engine Hauled
Large Lines Cnr-Rio Grande
Charged Seven Times.

The suits which have been pending
against railroads for alleged viola
tons OF the safety appliance act are
being filed in the various sections of
the country, eight causes for actions
being filed in the federal court of this
city this morning. One cause for
action is filed against the Salt Lake
4 Ogden Cthe Lagoon road and seven
against the Rio Grande. The papers
in the case call for damages in the
sum of 500 for each cause and costs.
They are signed by H. L. Booth, Unit
cd States district attorney. and VIM.
McCrea, assistant United States attor.
ney. Each petition says, this action
being brought upon the suggestion of
the attorney-general of the United
States at the request of the interstate
commerce commission upon informa-
ton furnished by said commission"
LAGOON ROAD LIABLE.
The violation of the appliance act by
the Lagoon road is alleged to have been
committed June 10, 1907. when Engine
No. Il. hauling an A. II. S. t. car,
used III interstate traffic and full of
plates and rail braces, had an I'M
coupling pin on it's "a" and "B" ends
which was out of repair and inopera-
tive. The uncoupling pin. it is charged
also, was missing. For this piece OF
negligence, if such it was, the govern.
ment wants 500. The Lagoon road
is held liable under the l. G. C. rul
ings. according TO government attaches
because It's engine was hauling car
used in Interstate traffic. The car "
doing interstate traffic, explain the
United States attorneys, until 1t
reaches its destination, portion of tn.
trip being made behind an engine on a
road wholly within one state is no
deviation from the accepted ruling.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION.
Regarding the "A" and "B" ends of
an engine or carut was learned that the
3D. end Of The cars Is the one at which
the brake-staff is located. If air Is used
1t is me end towards which the air
bushes in clarnping or loosening brakes
of the wheels.
SEVEN CHARGES FILED.
The seven charges against the Rio
Grande fall around July IL and 12.
They are, briefly as follows: "a July
III, 1897, car of lumber restained to
Fruita, Colo, from Helper, coupling on
Az end missing, arm of lock block
broken. Car OF fioortiling to San
Francisco, (2) July IL, "a end out of
repair and imperative, bottom OF
block lock out of repair. (3) July II.
"B" end OF car from Thistle Junction
imperative, casting keeper broken. (4)
Same date, ''B' end of car out of This
tie Junction out OF repair, uncouplins
pin missing. (5) Same date, "a end of
car out of of Thistle Junction out of re-
pair, chain missing. (6 Same date,
''A' end of car from Thistle Junction
out of repair lever missing. "a Same
date. grab-iron on "B" end of car out
of Thistle Junction missing.
II viii be noticed the government In
spectors We're busy at Thistle juno
ton on and around July II, 1907.
HOW FAR?" is ASKED.
These actions lend local interest TO a
step being taken by the Wabash to
see how far the government can really
go in prescribing what safety appli-
ances can be used, etc. An appeal
for ruling has been made
supreme court. The point at issue is
whether Congress has right to say
what appliances shall be used on switch
confines of one state. 1t Is just this
point which makes the suit Of the Wa
bash interesting locally. The question
has been raised In Salt Lake, Has
Congress right TO dictate to railroads
operating wholly within q state?'