The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-03-24
The Full Grew Bill.

The house committee on transport
tation has recommended for passage
bill which requires the railroads of
the state to increase the number of
men on a standard train crew from
five to six. The bill applies to all
trains OF over four cars whether they
are paSsen gers or freight.
The bill is said to have been de-
signed to provide greater safety for
the travelling public but it looks more
like movement on the part OF the
railroad unions to force the companies
by legislation to hire an extra man
where one is not needed. The rail-
roads have estimated that it will cost
them 100000 year to comply with
such law.
One thing should be remem bered by
the members Of the legislature-.-t the
public pays the bills. The railroads
are just as interested in preventing
wrecks as the legislature-more so be-
cause they must bear the stigma and
expense. Five men number a present
crew and when a train is stopped, one
is sent ahead, one behind and three
are left to work on the train. The ad-
dition Of the one fagmau, as provided
in the bill would merely mean thai
two men would be employed to do the
work of one
The bill says that the sixth man
must have had at least one years ex-
perence as trainnan. Where will
he get it if not on the road? The bill
would force the railroads to tie up
traffic in the rush seasons as they
would be unable to hire men and yet
would not dare to send out a five man
crek. 1t would put a powerful club
traffic might be demoralized to the
detriment Of business in general.
Perhaps the railroads have invited
some OF the sentiment which has been
manifested against them but no mat
ter how intense this feeling may be,
it should not lead the legislature into
being used as a tool for private inter-
ests. 1t is hard to see how a six pas
senger crew will benefit the general
public while at the same time the pup
lie must pay for the Increased cost of
service. 1t is the farmer, the merchant
the ultimate consumer, who pays
the gross earnings OF the railroads.
Any measure which will increase the
burden is not welcome.
Railroading is practically the only
business in the United States which
has steadily increasing cost Of oper-
alton and decreasing return per car
miles. 1t is true the gross earnings
increase but the net earnings do not
in any like proportion. The CASH
man distance tariff law, it it ever
becomes effective, will equalize the
freight rates but this will mean a
raise in many commodities.
The railroads pay double today in
state taxes what they paid ten years
ago In 1914 they will pay twenty
five per cent more because Of the in
crease in tax voted by the state leg
islature. If the legislature now goes
farther and forces the roads to make
needless additions to the operating ex-
pense, this money must be found some
place and it is not unreasonable to
UC4lCtc IudL iSSS W LII DC SpSnL 4Ol
maintenance and improved operating
conditions.
A railroad, no more than any other
business, can burn it's candle at both
ends The Norton bill will mean
that the roads will be forced to hire
two men to do work now capably
handled by one. Where this will ben
eft the public is hard to see. Where
it will hurt the public is easy to see.
The state should watch it's railroad
legislation and see that the legisla-
ture is not antagonistic beyond
reason. -+.a'.. = 2,
How to Produce Racial Degeneration
Professor Stockard Of the Cornell