The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-17

WASHINGTON, D. c., February 10
Qualification Is expressed by the In
terstate Commerce Commission over
two conditions that have arisen with
in day or two. \ In concrete form.
they mean that American railway Of
ficials, as class. are doing all that
lies in their power to meet situations
that have developed under new laws
applying to interstate traffic. The eff
feet of this disposition on tn epart Of
the carriers is reassuring to the mem
bers of the commission and is quite
certain to be equally so to the people
Of the country.
Information has reached the COM
mission that the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad proposes to put into effect to-
morrow throughout its system the So
called .'nine-hour law" which. by its
terms, does not become operative until
March 4th next.
+ THE law limits the hours OF service
of all classes OF train operatives, par
ticuiarly locomotive engineers and fire.
men, train dispatchers, railway teie-
graphers. tower men and signal opcr-
ators. Recently the Interstate Com
merce Commission was requested by
the operating vice-presidents of ten
or twelve important systems OF rail-
ways TO eSlSHu Tie tlillc " AiS Suns
into effect of the nine hour provision,
applying to employees who direct the
movements of trains. 1t was pointed
out that nine hours constituted an UNI
usual and awkward period, duties OF
that kind have to be performed TWEEN
ty-four hours every day. IT two shifts
of train dispatchers, telegraph opera
tors and signal men each worked nine
there would be a period of six hours
,t,,-f 1,, yt.hi nh
be covered satisfactorily, either to the
men themselves or to the railroads. 1t
was indicated that shifts of eight
hours might be better for all concern
ed, but for such period of work the
men could not be paid wages which
they would regard as adequate for
their needs.
And, in addition, it might be difficult to
obtain the services of enough skilled men
to make up three shifts every twenty-fous
hours on all of the railroads In America.
For Time Extension.
Already the commission has set February
eth as date on which 1t VIII hear formal
applications COR an extension OF the time
oe the operation of the nine-hour provi.
SION. II the time be extended as to the
railroads which are able to show the com.
mission good cause for the extension-and
the extension, If granted, will apply only
to the particular lines which make appli,
foYmally--it is expected that a proposal
will be made in Congress for the amend
mont of the law in accordance with the
showing made before the commission at
the hearing.
Another source of qualification to the
commission is the very general compliance
OF the railroads with that provision OF the
Hepburn act which makes 1t obligatory
upon carriers to submit to the commission
! monthly reports. covering every phase OF
the operation OF interstate roads. few
weeks ago it was announced in tenta-
tive way that several important systems,
notably the New York Central lines, had
| declined to furnish reports to the commits
sion. in accordance with the law and In
conformity with the regulations and forms
prescribed by the commission. 1t was helt
by the counsel for the New York Contra
| lines. for instance, that the provision OF
the law was unconstitutional. and 1t was
| understood to be the advice OF counsel tha
that the officials refuse the report. Within
day or two. an understanding has beer
reached between the commission and TIL,
New York Central, by which the road ha!
filed with the commission complete reports
| or Its operations for the five months endeS
November 3Oth last The commission nov
has complete reports for five months ended
November Goth of 90 per cent. of the rail,
read mileage of the country.