The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-28
KANSAS COMMENT
BAGGAGE SMASHING.

1
1t Is not surprising to learn that
! the railroads are heartily in favor OF
the enforcement of the order made by
the state board of railroad commits
sloners against baggage smashing.
| Is no fun for the railroads. Not only
90 they suffer untold annoyance from
II and from the natural complaints of
passengers who are victims of the
practice. but they have to pay for
much baggage damaged or DESTROYED
from this cause
damages for personal injuries and
loss or destruction make a heavy
charge against the railroads. In 1898
the railroads of the United States paid
$6I,1S2,OoO for such damages. In
1903 they paid $56, 700, 900. And that
enormous total was nearly $4,000, 900
more than the aggregate of the pre-
vious year. Between 1897 and 1907
the payments for loss and damage In
creased 437 per cent, those for injur-
les to persons 254 per cent. In the
west and southwest the losses of this
sort were the greatest.
1t is no doubt true, as railroad Of
I1clalS dleclare- that q large proper
ton of the claims are exaggerated or
spurious. There is we'll recognized
reellng In favor of exaggeration of
claims when a railroad is concerned
BUT the figures indicate good deal
OF earelessness, not alone on the part
OF baggage smashers, but of other
railroad employees though doubtless a
greater part of it is due to the lack of
safety devices and other improved
equipment. The order of the board
or railroad commissioners will be use
ful, not alone in helping to reduce the
baggage smashing, but in helping to
eliminate carelessness in other direc-
lions. AT the same time the railroads
should not be slow to adopt every
means of preventing this or any other
form of damage and especially per-
sonal injury. The adoption of each 4
new safety device is money in the
pockets of the railroad adopting IT.
News.
A HARTMAN POLICY.
Shortly before Mr.. Hartman died
he made the statement that the man
agements of his railways would pay
less attention to piling up dividends
Tor the stockholders and more to i'm
proving the railway service. Had he
lived, Mr.. Hartman would have done
that very thing, for he took a pride
In these properties and he wanted the
people to learn to appreciate them.
How many of the heads Of other rail-
way systems are as conSiderate? A
few, perhaps, but not enough of them. !
1t was Mr.. Harriman's remarkable
perception that made him a genius, |
and in the enunciation here mention
ed: ne may have shown no less of
this perception than in other respects |
Some of the railroads of Kansas have |
yet to learn that with public opinion |
for them they have an extremely val |
liable asset. They have yet to under |
stand that the people feel It is their |
right to be offered good service and |
to have the question of their personal
comfort as patrons of the roads CIV
IN at least some attention. Those rail-
roads In Kansas which are trying to
squeeze every penny out Of the public
because they believe the public will
not be able to help itself, are making
L mistake. They would do well to fol-
ow the Hartman policy of improving
what into their dividends.-Leaven-
worth Times, s5st.