New-York tribune., 1908-02-28
RAILROADS PROTEST.
BIG LOSSES OF REVENUE.
Say They Cannot Comply zcith Re
quirements of Nine-Hour Lac.

tendance on the hearing given to-day by the In
terstate Commerce Commission on applications for
extension of the time of the going into erect
OF the hour law.
c. Z. Gray, of the St Louis san francisco
Railroad directed attention what he termed the
marvellous depression of the revenues of rail
ways which had taken place since October l last
amounting in general to fully 70 per cent III IL"
way" said he. has 1t been found possible to in
the operating expenses in view of this i'm
reduction of revenues. No manager couid
have foreseen such slump in revenues as has
occurred in the last three or four months The car
riers arc likely to involved in financial disas-
II the reduction should continue II we are
subjected to such increase of operating ex-
penses this law contempates we will have to
ask increase of rates subsequently to offset
this increased charge
is this a matter" inquired Chairman
Knapp for legislative relief rather than for re-
lief from this commission
Mr.. Gray replied that the railroads considered 1t
necessary present the matter to Congress. but
delays in legislation We're always unavoidable ana
relief necessary immediately He believed un-
der the law the commission might afford at last
temporary relief
Daniel Willard vice-presdent of the Burlington
system. said that as to stations the Bur
lington relief asked of the commission
There is nothing in this law" said Chairman
Knapp (which ContemplateS the indefinite sus-
pension or the abrogation of the law
H B. Perham. president of the Order of Railway
TeIegraphers. declared that there question
about the ability of the railroads TO obtain the
number of operators required under the law
NOT EARNING FINED CHARGES.
G H. Ackert vice-president and general
ager of Southern Railway. testified that as to
three hundred stations his system asked the COM
mission for relief. said the decrease in busi-
ness on the Southern Railway since October had
been tremendous, resulting in part in the taking
off of passenge- trains alone TO the amount of
five thousand miles day. He explained that it
would be necessary under the law. for the South
to employ two hundred and twenty additional
operators.
Are you earning your fixed charges?' inquired
Mr. Moore. special counsel for the commission.
We are not replied Mr. Ackert-
Are You reducing operating expenses?
We are" replied Mr.. Ackert. We cannot COM
ply with this law and the same time meet our
other obligations. We cannot increase our ex-
penses and keep out of the hands of the bondhod-
of the road. We struggling to prevent a
catastrophe
''You virtually asking us suggested Chair
man Knapp, TO apply the law to one-third OF
your stations and abrogate it as to two-thIrds Of
them?"
We are asking that the time be extended
piled Mr.. Ackert, until get the money TO
! pay"
In other words" said Commissioner Knapp,
Congress has egislated to onethird of the sta
lions. and you ask legslate to the other
two-thirds.''
T F. Whittlesey. general manager of the Sea-
I
rous slump in the of that road in the last
four months and the company simply did not have
the money with which to pay increased operating
expense
II. c. Nudge second vice president of the Rock
Island system, said that business had fallen off TO
such an extent in the last three months that the
road had about eleven thousand idle cars.
He asserted that under normal conditions the road
would be seriously embarrassed by the enforce
I the law, but under existing conditions it
would not be able to comply with the new law.
You want us, then" said Chairman Knapp. ito
make order anticpatory of a return OF pros
perity?'
| Mr. Nudge replied that the Rock Island fortu-
nately in position pay its fixed charges.
but it had hoped that the commission might see its
way clear TO grant reasonable extension, because
! if prosperity should return the country sud
denly adversely had the system would be
placed in a serious predicament
Substantially similar arguments We're made by j.
! C. Rawn. vice president of the Illinois Central
Railroad. behalf of that line, the Yazoo & Mis-
sissipp Valley and the indianapolis Southern
You have heard suggested Chairman Knapp.
| the presented here since 10 o'clock this
morning How much of the nine law would be
| left if granted all the petitions?"
'.As much Mr., Chairman. responded Mr.. Rawn.
! -'as the present conditions would warrant
BALTIMORE & OHIO'S CONDITION.
George /. Potter operating vice president of
the Baltimore & Ohio. said that road had already
| put the law into operation considerable ex-
| tent but on the cath inst it lacked ninety three
men. II proposed to meet this emergency by
! closing some Offices and by placing It few other
twenty -four-hour offices on eighteen-hOur basis.
In January" said Mr. Potter. the Baltimore &
| Ohio failed even its fixed charges by s100-
| 600. and indications thus far i'll February
that the situation is still worse"
A r LaWton. first vice president of the Central
( of Georgia Railway asked a suspension of the law
as to twenty offices. If have to coIply with
the law said he. we will close these offices. We
! cannot afford 10 employ more men"
Representatives. of other lines presented substan-
/ tally the arguments
/ II is regarded significant that. with the ex-
! ception of New York Central lines. none Of
/ the great Eastern roads have applied for cxten-
SION. In Northwest the Wisconsin Central,
/ the Great Northern and Northern Pacific not
/ represented among the applicants Under the law
! ana a ruling of the commission road which does
not apply for the extension can have the benefit
any order granting the extension to other lines.
even if such order should be issued. 1t is assumed
therefore, that the companies which have not ap-
piled have made arrangements to conform the
provisions of the law when il goes into effect on
March /
Omaha, Feb. Pit announced by the
Union Pacific. Northwestern and Burlington
railroads to-day that they would observe liter
aIlv the nine-hour law which becomes effective
I on March 4 These three roads will employ
about two hundred additional telegraphers on
lines west of the Missouri River. Train service
is TO be curtailed wherever possible The State
Railway Commission ordered the Union Pacific
! Railroad to-day appear March and show
cause why a number of trains on branches aban-
doned because of alleged poor business should
not he placed in service again.
I.& NJ MEN ACCEPT REDUCTION.
Louisville Feb. 27-After an all-day conference
of he I0ii lie A.