East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-08-22
OSWALD WEST POINTS OUT WHAT OREGON
RAILROAD COMMISSION HAS ACCOMPLISHED

Salem, Ore. Aug. 22.-When asked I
today for a list of the things accom-
| plished by the Oregon railroad COM
| mission since the date OF its creation
a little more than three years ago,
| Oswald West, the leading member 'of
! the commission whose term expires
this year and who is now seeking the
| democratic nomination for the office
OF governor, said:
"The railroad commission of Ore
| gon has since its organization under
the act of February IS. 1907, been
active in many lines. With regard
to the operation Of trains it has or
dered that all passenger trains stop
| ping at stations where an agent is
maintained shall be bulletined as to-
the time of their arrival and depart
ures and that all delayed trains shall
be bulletlned at intervals of thirty
minutes. The commission made gen.
eral orders with regard to the heat
! ing, lighting and ventilating of sta
tions and passenger cars and provid-
ing for the maintenance of suitable
and adequate toilet facilities at all
stations.
Stock shipping Conditions Improved.
at has brought about a greatly inn
| proved condition in the handling of
live stock, many stockyards through
out the state having been enlarged or
rebuilt and greatly improved in their
drainage and general convenience.
Stock cars also must be cleaned before
being set for loading and the service
generally in handling livestock has
been improved to very great de-
gree The commission has prescribed
a uniform livestock contract (or bill
of lading) for the use of all roads
in this state. This new form elimi-
mates all of the unjust unreasonable
| and arbitrary provisions contained in
the old contracts prepared by the
company.
Complying with the provisions OF
the law the commission investigates
all serious accidents which occur in
the state and requires reports of all
accidents which result in loss of life
or limb or serious injury TO person
or property. The records of the COM
mission show the loss of life through
r accidents was less for the year 1909
. than for the previous year and the
; record of Oregon in this respect COM
| pares favorably with that of the gen.
eral record of railroads in the United
: States.
, New Depots Ordered.
"The commission has ordered the
construction of new depots at many
stations.
"The commission has brought about
the reduction of passenger fares on
| number of roads. At the present
| time the commission is investigas-
all of the passenger fares on the
] lines of the o. r. & \. company and
Southern Pacific company within this
state that exceed three cents a mile
: and hearing will be had the goth of
August.
at ordered a reduction in the class
? rates between Portland and points
, east of The Dalles on the oregon
Railroad & Navigation company lines
commonly known as the distributive
! rates out of Portland, resulting IN
t saving of over one hundred thou
/ sand dollars a year TO the shippers.
! The commission also ordered reduc-
ton in the rates on a. number OF
/ commodities over the lines of the
5 Southern Pacific company in oregon
and brought about an adjustment of
/ the class rates of the Astoria & CO.
: lumbia River Railroad company be-
) tween Astoria and Seaside.
, Grain Rates Reduced.
1t also ordered a reduction IN gram
rates from points in eastern oregon
I to Portland. resulting IN the saving
: to shippers of about 100000 year.
AT the present time Il IS investigating
: the class rates of the Southern Pa
e cific company to determine whether or
Y not a reduction should not be order
e ed.
A reduction of 90 per cent in the
rates charged by the Pacific Express
company operating over the lines oi
the Oregon Railroad & Navigation
company was made by order or the
: commission and such reduction mas
become effective. a similar reduc-
!, ton in the rates charged by Wells
= Fargo & company has oeen ordered
: hv the commission, which will save
tho shipper great sum annually.
"The act of 1907 directed the com
mission to ascertain as nearly as pos
4 Sible the OrlSlndl CoSl anu N'SN
), reproduction of all railroads in th'
state together with the value or th'
stocks, bonds. etc. The commission
has diligently pursued its investga'
tions as to the valuation of the dit
ferent roads within the state and ex
pects by the close of the year to Dc
able to make report showing th'
value of the principal lines. This VII
be of inestimable benefit in the mat
i ter of taxation and rate regulation.
Relief Afforded individuals.
much of the work of the commls
sion has been of a nature, Whlch
while not apparent to the genera
public, has been of great value to in
dividuals in affording them relic
live stock, many stock yard through
unable to cope with individually
SPUR tracks have been ordered IN
ward facilities enlarged, and manN
things of a similar nature adjusted
which have meant a great deal to th'
individual complainants.
The commission has ordered ina
every agent shall keep a record o
j cars ordered by shippers, giving tn
time Of ordering, so that in case OF