Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-01-14

Figures compiled by officials of the
Southern Pacific show that in 1906 the
Pacific lines of the system had 1,19S lo-
comotives and %, 14S freight cars, an in
crease in motive power of 16 cent
and in freight cars of 20 per cent.
State Legislatures do not possess auto
cratic powers over the railroads within
their borders, according to a decision of
the Supreme Court of Arkansas, and
though the constitutionality of their acts
may not be directly challengeable, still
they are subject to review of the courts
as to their reasonableness and justice.
That officials of railroads cannot be
held responsible in any criminal sense for
wrecks that may happen upon their lines,
even though the cause may be traced in
directly to their failure to provide ade-
quate safeguards, is the essence of the in
structions given to the jury by Justice
kellogg at New York in ordering the ac-
quittal of Vice President and General
Manager Smith of the New York Central
railroad Mr. Smith had been on trial for
manslaughter in connection with the
wreck at Woodlawn on Feb. 16, in which
twenty-three persons lost their lives. This
case has attracted attention throughout
the country as the first in which serious
attempt was made to hold a high official
of railroad responsible for the acts Of
subordinates.
A decision recently rendered by the In
terstate commerce commission has an inn
portant bearing on the effort which cleo
trio traction lines have been making for
some time to force the steam roads to give
them recognition in the sale Of through
tickets and the routing of through freight.
In the expectation that industrial con-
ditions will be much more favorable for
the prosecution Of large undertakings in
which labor constitutes an essential part,
the New York Central has decided to
push to completion its terminal improve
ment and extension work with great
vigor.
The notice served by President Mellen
of the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford railroad that all joint rates on
through freight to and from New England
points would be Cancelled on the Reading,
Jersey Central and Baltimore and Ohio
lines on and after Dec. II, has started
commercial war that may extend far. This
rleans that the Pennsylvania Is to be fav-
ored with the New Haven business. Al
ready the Jersey Central has called upon
the Interstate Commerce Commission Tor
help and the New Haven officials have
been summoned before that tribunal OK
trade. Mellen's men say that the Jersey
Central is slow in handling the freight.
The United States Circuit Court Of APP
pals at st. Louis. reversing the decision
Of the District Court for Colorado in the
case against the Colorado and Northwest
ern Railroad Company, holds that any
railroad wholly within a State. but carry
ing goods consigned from one State TO an
other. is subject to the interstate com
MERGE Law and 10 regulation by the Inter
state Commerce Commission. Judges San
born of st. Paul ard Van Deventer OF
Cheyenne gave the decision. Judge Phil
lips OF Kansas City dissenting.
The Erie Railroad has announced the
withdrawal OF all its passenger rates 10
the Chicago rate sheet and other trunk
lines were expected TO follow suit.