El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-13
TRAINS MUST
KEEP To THE
SCHEDULE
Texas Railroad Commission
Thinks the Roads Fix the
Schedules Too Fast.
FINES TO ROADS
VIOLATING LAW

Austin. Tex. Jan 13-If the Texas
railroad commission has its way about
it passengers Will have some assur-
anee that the trains upon which they
are riding in this state will come pretty
near making schedule time. According
to the authority granted it by law. the
commission a few years ago issued an
order requiring that no passenger
train should wait longer than 80 min
uteS a terminal points for its c0nnec-
tons, also that schedule time should
be maintained. This order was well
observed for time and then some Of
the roads began to show laxity in liv-
ing up to it with the result that upon
many Of the lines the published sched-
ules were not adhered to.
The complaint OF the travelling pub
lie began to be heard, and as result
of an investigation on the part of the
commission as to the failure of the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas to observe
its order. there has been filed in dis
trict court at Austin Dy the attorney
generals department suit against
that road for penalties aggregat1ng
$780, Under the law each day and
each late train constitute a separate
offense with punishment by fine OF
$4,000
The charge is made that in their
competition for through passenger
business between points in this state
and st. Louis, Kansas City. Chicago
have adopted schedules for their trains
which they cannot live up to. and this
is said to account largely for the al
most uninterrupted lateness OF the
through passenger trains.
The HardshipB Ii Works.
The commissions order, II II could
affect the outside connecting lines.
would it is claimed, prove Of great
benefit TO the through passengers. but
it is shown that the contrary effect
is had 1t is not unusual, for Instance.
for trains on the lines entering Texas
from St Louis TO be an hour or several
hours late arriving at their connecting
points at the border or in this state
Under the commissions order the con-
Meeting line in Texas cannot hold It's.
train for more than 80 minutes IF the
connection is not made by that time
what is known as stub trains are run
on he schedule on these intraState
roads. Most of the through passengers
travel in sleeping cars. and many OF
the trains of the Texas roads are forced
to leave their connecting point with
out these sleepers- 1t is claimed that
through travellers who are not so for
-unate as to occupy sleeping cars and
to local travellers who want sleepers. !
Though passengers are forced to lay
AIRY them to their destination in this I
state. 1t is claimed, however, by mem I
)ers of the commission, that the order /
s especially intended for Texas travel I
venience 10 through passengers, its =
benefits are much greater than its /
Ira Wbacks
After Other Roads.
Tt is known that suits are threatened I
gainst not less than half a dozen Of I
he larger lines which connect with I
,arent systems at the border. and it Is 4
aid that the penalties which viii be !
prayed for viii amount in the aggre- I
rate TO several million dollars.
The commission has contended all I
long that the condition Of the roadbed /
md equipment of many ~Of the Texas F..
'ailroads does not Justify the fast !
schedules for the passenger trains i
which some Of them have in effect.
These schedules. the commission claims
re more for advertising purposes than .
With any idea Of actually living up to {
hem. The same is true, it is said, OF 7
lines outside of the state
L is argued that there IS no excuse
Why passenger trains into Texas from
he north should continually be one TO
LOT