Omaha daily bee., 1915-08-01
NEW UNION STATION
DENIED TO BLUFFS
State Commission, However, Orders
Railroads to Improve Union
Transfer Depot.
PROVISION OF LAW DISCUSSED

DES MONIES, Ia, July s1.-(spe-
cial. THE State Railroad commits
sion has entered an order refusing
to direct the railroads entering
Council Bluffs to unite In formation
of company and construction OF q
union passenger station. What the
decision would be, or would have to
be, has long been a matter OF COM
mon knowledge, because the statute
is plain and previous decisions set
precedents which could not very well
be overlooked. But because of the
work of the commission on rate
cases and other matters there has
not been until this time any final
conference Of the commissioners and
agreement as to what the conclusion
would be. The commission denies
its jurisdiction under the law, hence
the merits are not entered into.
The essence OF the decision Is that the
law under which the complainants asked
for the order was intended to apply and
does alone apply to country crossings. in
which case the board may require ereo-
ton of platforms and shelters for pas
sengers transferring from one road to
another In this class of cases the COM
mission has ample authority to compel
erection of accommodations. But the
law as to union depots merely gives the
companies the right to unite and main
tain such stations.
Bettcr Facilities Imperative.
The commission did make. however. an
order as to some things as follows;
while we hold lack OF power TO re-
quire union station at Council Bluffs,
yet VIC are given authority to require
adequate station facilities generally
Code, Section 21ls Until q union station
Is constructed at Council Bluffs, 1t may
be impracticable and impossible TO make
substantial improvements In the crossing
OF surface tracks Of railroads. in the
blockading OF many streets by passenger
trains, and in tho furnishing of the usual
modern improvements Of city depots. such
as lunch counters, news stand and parcel
room with attendants, at the several sta
tions of the individual roads. where four
fifths of the passenger traffic, In and
out OF Council Bluffs is accommodated
However. we urge the carriers to use all
reasonable means within their power TO
improve these conditions just described.
1.-THE commission has the power to re-
Quire better station facilities generally.
where the same are inadequate. We find
that those having charge Of the Union
Pacific transfer station should improve
the sanitary condition OF toilet roms, en-
large and improve it's platform facilities
for passengers getting on and off trains.
an dalso for those coming through OF
going from said station.
Milwaukee station Inadequate.
I'VE further find that the Milwaukee
railroad should make important and sub
stantisl improvements in its station ia
cilities at Council Bluffs; that all OF
the railroads should make substantial i'm
proyoments In the toilet room facilities
of their station houses. and that all Of
said railroads should make more ade-
qgate provision in the way OF platform
facilities for passengers getting on and
off trains.
IAN adequate opportunity will be given
the said carriers to comply with the
foregoing requirements. Upon their fall
ure to make substantial compliance with
tho same, within a reasonable length
Of time, an order win be issued in ac-
cordance with the foregoing findings"
The case was brought by the city Of
Council Bluffs and the Commercial club
against eight railroad companies doing
business there.
The decision was a unanimous one,
signed by all the members.