The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-09-22

4 All Canada and the United States to-
Igether mean a billion bushels of
wheat. That is fully one-fourth of
what Is claimed for the world crop
this year. Not alone our own people,
but those with whom we do business
across the seas can feel easy about
their bread supply.
/ DECLARES LATE LAWS USELESS.
". l. Park vice-president OF the
| Illinois Central railroad, and for sew
eral years It's general manager as
well. believes firmly that much OF the
/ legislation enacted in recent years re-
'garding the operation and mainten-
ance of railways, has been ill-adyieed,
extrayagant, and useless. He express
ed his convictions quite plainly before
/ the meeting of the Roadmasters and
Maintenance of Way Association OF
J America. Among other things he
said:
Millions of dollars are being paid
tout in refinement of freight car equip
ment such as nice adjustment OF
! the height OF cars, wrought iron brake
wheels that are never used. instead
of cast iron. leaders on each corner
} of car, and many other innovations
! that do not go very far to prevent per-
sonal injury.
This money. wasted in many direc-
| lions through the interference of those
who know little about the actual con-
ditions on the railroads would provide
real safety if the managers were psr-
mitted to spend it in the direction 1t
should properly go.
| "A railroad manager would be Grim
final to put money in expensive track
elevation. separations OF highway
crossings. or steel cars, II the railroad
/ had only sand ballast, wooden bridges
inadequate drainage and protection
against washouts, landslides. etc,
items which are well known to prac-
teal operating oficials as being those
which should receive first considera-
ton.
We are paying out IN maintenance
of way, labor. and supervision about
S per cent of the gross earnings. There
are paid out In claims and personal
injury suits and compromises 35 per
cent OF the gross earnings. A greater
part Of the claims are fictitious or
exaggerated and would not Obtain
against any other corporation or an
individual
The major responsibility for Amer
lean railroads not being on a parity
with those of foreign countries as re-
CARDS safety does not rest with mana
gers or the stockholders, but with
those who have forced upon the rail
roads ill-advised, costly, pernicious
and esthetic laws, orders anG, regula-
tons"
Mr.. Park claimed that practical rail.
road men know the order in which
there should come about lettering OF
the physical conditions II wreck
occurs through collision the would.
be regulators imme6 ately propose a
. panacea in the adjustment OF wood IN
cars, although they do not know as
yet to what extent steel cars are pref
cradle. Mr. Park cited further In
stances as follows:
Ii fagman fails to do his duty,
automatic signals are to be forced by
n law regardless OF the fact that the
road may not be paying dividends,
and a maudlin public sentiment ex.
cuses the real culprit.
If the block signals fail to stop an
e engine there is a hue and cry for
4 q 1;oe ha control although such de-
t. i 80 eon mas no6 se, 0een invented, and
m mon f. ha ;rnno ~ piaeeicai raliroad
IN sibility cannot 10 tai.a as aLe les soe
r. the engineer, -
to Mr.. Park also SPOKE Of the RIGHTS
IN and responsibilities Of tho stockhold.