The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30
LeayenwOrth Man to Run His
Own Train Service.
WILL BUY MOTOR CAR
Place 1t on q. P. Tracks, Onaga
and LeayenwOrth.
Railroad Commissioner Ryan
Sees a Vision of the Future.

Kansas has always had reputa-
ton for changing things-changing
everything from the management and
the customs of the railroads to the
freedom of the house fly. The latest
scheme which has come to the light
of the board of railroad commission
ers is a plan to revolutionize railroad
| ing-shift it from the exclusive own
ership and operation of corporations
to cooperative plan with the aid of
private individuals and in some cases
the public as a whole.
While out travelling over the state
in the interests of the state railroad
board, Frank Ryan, a member Of tho
board and a man who probably knows
as much about the active operation
OF railroads as any man in the state,
| came upon plan originating in Leav-
enworth which will do away with the
hundreds of complaints coming into
the railroad board every month.
Not long ago the commercial in
terests of Leavenworth got together
in an effort to influence the Union
Pacific to run an extra train from
their city to Onaga-run a train that
would leave Onaga in the morning
and return the same day. This would
give the rich districts between the
two towns chance to do their trad
ing in Leavenworth and eventually
benefit greatly the commercial trade
and influence of Leavenworth.
MI Ryan met with the Leaven-
worth people, they fixed their plans
and the citizens bid the railroad COM
missioner a fond farewell as he
left for trip to Omaha to influence
the Union Pacific officials to install
the train service wanted But the Of
ficials could promise nothing at that
time and with heavy heart Mr.. Ryan
came back to Leavenworth and told
his sad story to the merchants.
Here is where the real story begins.
When the news of the refusal of the
Union Pacific officials was given in
classical language in a speech to the
club of business men and when the
dull thud a stir was heard in the rear
Of the hall.
Citizen to the Rescue.
II will remedy this" shouted a big.
prosperous looking gentleman from the
rear of the room. ct will buy motor
car myself and with the permission Of
the Union Pacific will run it. pay for
its operation and see that the railroad
loses nothing in the event"
Now the plans are being made for the
carrying out of this idea and the suit
able arrangements with the Union Pa
clf1c. 1t will be the first time in the
history of Kansas, or any state for
that matter. that the operation of a
railroad has been conducted alternate
ly between the railroad corporation and
the general public.
1t is planned to send this car out
of Onaga every morning, arriving in
LeavenWorth and returning to Onaga
in the evening, making the round trip
during the day. It would be the best
thing in the world for the Leavenworth
merchants, who could depend upon con-
siderable trade from this rich and dense
ly populated portion of the state.
Cooperative Railroading.
The train would not use the track
at any time to the inconvenience of
the other train on the branch. The
two lines of steel lie along the hills
and valleys, idle all day along, except
when the weeds are brushed aside by
the one little train which wanders along
occasionally. The motor car would be
an accommodation to the people and
would not place the railroad to any
Leavenworth supporters would agree
with, the Union Pacific on the rent of
the tracks and other minor details.
This man says that he will pay for
the. hiring of the conductor and the
nlotorman and he will purchase all of
the tickets and other necessities on
the trip said Mr.. Ryan this afternoon.
IF it is necessary to have station agents
along the line he will provide for that.
It will be an independent train on
dependent track
This is a new era in railroad opera
ton and is liable to cause popular
attempt to revoiutioniza the present sys-
tenn of modern railroading. To have
the peoples train and the com
pany's" train on the same track will
cause a new sensation along railroad
lines and fresh rival in the field.
What I am most interested in is
the result of this trial." said Mr.. Ryan.
ut will either teach the people a new
bunch of facts about the trials and
cause them to have new and broader
views of the situation or else it will
teach the railroads a lesson"
And the whole state. together with
other states. will watch closely the at
rernpts of private citizens to run a pass
epger service on a modern railroad