The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-09-02
SOUTH SHORE Is
IN GOOD SHAPE
GEORGE W. DICKINSON OF RAIL.
ROAD COMMISSION PRAIs.
Es MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION.

George ". Dickinson, of the state
railway commission, who was In the
copper country this week In the
course of the annual inspection of the
railroads of the upper peninsula, has
just completed an inspection of the
d.. s. S. & A. railway.
"The South Shore is In the best
shape this year that 1t has been since
] have been a member of the commits
sion, and II has always been one OF
the best managed roads in the state"
declared Mr.. Dickinson. This rail-
road with good reason boasts Of new
er having killed passenger. This
excellent record Is not the result of
good luck, in my opinion, but fatal
accidents have been avoided by care
full, experienced management. The
men at the head of the South Shore
are experienced. practically and
theoretically, In every phase of rail-
road building and operation, and it
theless important details OF opera
ton, that has brought the road up to
its present excellent condition.
Upper peninsula roads usually
come in for less criticism from the
commission than those below the
straits. and we have been especially
pleased with conditions as found on
this trip. The South Shore has a
very good roadbed, In spite of the
forest fires OF the past summer, to
fight which many of the section men
have had to leave their regular work.
New ties are put in as fast as they
are needed and everything is in first
class shape, while the right of-way or
the South Shore is without question
the cleanest In Michigan. The whole
length of the line, the weeds are kept
cut down and the space on both sides
OF the track Is free from under
growth, while the yards and switches
are in commercially neat and SER
viceable condition.
Neat and Clean Stations.
Another thing that uncon-
sciously pay attention to i'm inspect
ing q railroad is the condition of the
stations. The public appreciates a
clean waiting room and flower beds
and a well kept lawn near the sta
ton, with everything inside and out
I'm apple pie order Agents who
wonder why they are not promoted
would do well to look over their sta
tions-see IL the floor Is clean, the
stove blackened and the books and
papers Of the office arranged and kept
in an orderly manner. Railroad SUI
perintendents are coming to realize
the Importance of neatness about rail-
way premises, and the agent who al.
vances is the man who shows that
he takes an interest in the company
and the public by keeping the build
ing over which he has charge in good
condition and at the same time doing
the essential duties of his office we'll
superintendent Lyle evidently real
ICES the desirability of neatness and
I noticed that agents whose offices
were slovenly in appearance came In
for criticism.
THE commission found but one
criticism to make OF the South Shore
and that is relative to insufficient
street protection In Hancock Com
plant has been made to us of the lack
OF street protection I'm that city and
we will order the company TO make
substantial changes there to safe
guard life and property.
Railroads I'm all parts of the state,
with a very few exceptions, are will
ingly complying with the suggcs-
lions of the commission and are be-
ing operated with greater regard to
human life, both of passengers and
employees, than was true a few years
ago. Last year the railroads of
Michigan carried 217,00o,000 passen-
gers, and only eighteen were killed,
one to every fourteen million, which
is record to be proud Of Conditions
In the upper peninsula are especially
good and I have found IL pleasure
tc examine md inspect the roads
north of the straits"