The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1911-06-02
NEW RAILROAD LAWS
INCREASE EXPENSE
CHARLES w. GALLOWAY TELLS
OF THE PRESENT NEED OF
THE COMPANIES.
STATUTES ARE NOT UNIFORM
What Can Be Done in Ohio Cannot Be
Done In This State. While Illinois
Is Different-Wlshed 70 Be
Left Alone.

indianapolis. The railroad superin
tendent OF the future. 10 be successful
should not waste time learning 70
spike down rails. in firing heavy
freight locomotive over a suff grade,
or In scooting about the icy roof OF a
boxcar in 4O-mile gale. said Charles
w. Galloway. general superintendent
or the Baltimore q Ohio Southwest
ern railroad. who appeared before the
state board OF tax commissioners. The
railroad executive. 10 make his divi-
sion pay, must be a trained business
man. skilled IN making a dollar pro-
duce another dollar In the face OF cir
cumstances, however adverse, Mr.
Galloway said, and whether the rail
way officer knows an injector from
bell rope will not make any particular
difference.
Changed conditions in railroading.
Mr. Galloway said, were calling for
different kind OF men 10 control the
railroad properties. The keenness of
competition that requires better pas
senger and freight services, legisla-
ton that increases the expenditures
OF railroad companies without pro
Viding for compromising returns in
railroad earnings. and the increased
cost OF operation without the roads
being permitted by state and national
commissions 10 increase their passen-
ger and freight rates, Mr. Galloway |
said. had revolutionized the railway
service.
The multiplicity OF laws directed /
against the railroads." said Superin-
tendent Galloway. keeps US jumping
about to obey them. What we NAV
DO in Ohio, we may not DO in this
state, while Illinois has yet differ
ant law. This means closer super
vision and added expense. In Janu.
ary, this year our operating expenses
'an s4.6 per cent. of our revenue. but
his was in part due 70 strike
among the machinists: in February.
he percentage was 7S4. and in March.
'v.2 per cent. We had no strike IN
he latter months. Much OF this added
percentage is due 10 expenditures de-
handed by new laws and orders. and
s you know, the interstate com.
nerce commission has held we can.
iot charge higher rates TO obtain
more revenue. We have 90 per cent.
I our motive power in the shops. and
uT earnings are running short of
hose Of last year at the average rate
I $1,000 day
What the railroads need is to be
It alone. We are anxious to obey
ne laws on the statute books. and we
o not care 10 criticize them. but we :
ught to have an opportunity to ad. !,
ist our affairs TO changed conditions +,
efore additional new laws and or :
ers are saddled on us. The present :,
ondiuons make It difficult for the op- :
rating departments. and put US In t.
I'd with the stockholders and direc. :,
'rs, 10 say nothing Of the patrons. :
he situation, II strikes me. is one :,
'liing for astute business men IN the =
'ecutive department, and It makes .
tie difference what the executive
lows about the physical properties
railroad, or whether he can tell .
pilot from a switch frog" y
Mr.. Galloway and F. G. Griffith for =,
e other Baltimore e. Ohio proper :,
IS operating in the state. asked that r
increase In the assessment be r.
ade. as did T. ]. Frazier OF the Balti. :.
ore q Ohio and Chicago. The Grand e
lpids AZ Indiana made a similar "a -
est :.