Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-19
NEW RAILROAD BODY
Permanent Organization Of
commissioners of Five
States Formed
HEADQUARTERS IN CHICAGO

One Purpose 10 to Got In Closer touen
With Railways and shippers-Elimi-
nation of Grade Crossings Urged
Measures Against Trespassers Sug-
ossted.
Railroad commissions Of five states
met in Chicago the other day ana or
ganized permanent association to be
known as the North Central Assocla-
ton Of Halfway Commissioners. The
object of the association Is declared
TO be 1.-The consideration Of matters of
mutual Interest to the association and
to the public.
The states represented are Illinois
Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and lndi'
ana. The movement was started ~
the commission Of the state OF Michi
gan, and G. l.. Glasgow Of that body
was selected president of the associa-
ton Commissioner w. IL. Boys of
Illinois was elected vice president and
William Fitzpatrick secretary. The
Headquarters OF the association VIII
be In Chicago. aud meetings are to be
held mt the call Of the chairman or
upon the request Of my commission
which is member Of the association.
The movement f. regarded by many
as one Of the most important since the
crcntion Of railroad commissions, says
tue Chicago Record Herald. In the
discussion preceding the organization
It YVES agreed that. there is too little
uniformity in the action OF the varl-
Gus state commissions and that gen
orally speaking what Is of interest to
the shippers and the railroads OF one
state Is equally interesting to those Of
another.
1t is also admitted that there is
lack OF sympathy ,nd understanding
between the commissions and the rail-
roads, and it IS desired to get in closer
touch with both tho railroads and the
shippers. 1t Isl also hoped that the
scope Of the organization mny be en-
larged to includc many commissions
and that other organizations Of similar
character may be perfected to consist
Of the commissions which have kin
dred interests By reason OF their terri
torial grouping.
AS beginning the association Is d.
rectlrg it's attention to the elimination
Of grade crossings and to the subject
Of trespassing on American railroads.
Reports on both subjects were made
by committees appointed some months
ago when preliminary organization
was perfected. The committee on
grade crossings. Of which Commission.
er Woods OF Indiana is chairman, re-
ported that such crossings should be
eliminated. but the members were Mt
loss to know how the movement
could be accelerated.
In Indiana, for example. there are
more than 1000 unprotc led grade
crossings and nearly 10000 in Illinois.
1t would cost the railroads ut least
$3.50, 100000 in the former state and
twice that much In the latter to ellni-
nate these crossings. In Indiana the
railroads have spent only 100000 IN
the last 3yc years in eliminating these
crossings. but during the coming year
they are expected TO spend 100000.
The committee decided that future
crossings at grade should not be per
mitted that the state commissions
should be given The power to deal
with the separation OF grades and to
apportion the cost between the rail.
roads and the municipalities, that
laws should be passed requiring the
railroads to do away with certain
proportion Of grade crossings every
year and that the slaughter Of people
at such crossings Ind been properly
characterized "the great American
crime"
The committee on trespassing re-
ported that fully so per cent Of the
fatalities on American railroads was
due to trespassing. that laws should be
passed and enforced which would nde
quately protect the railroads against
trespassers. that section forcmen
should have police powers and that
railroads should be required. as IN
England. to post at their stations the
names Of all persons convicted of tres:
passing.