The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-01
PEOPLES COLUMN
The Star-Independent does not
make itself responsible for opinions
expressed in this column.
Full Crew Bills in Other States

To the Editor, The Star.Independent:
Dear Sir:-The instituting of full
crew law in the State of Pennsylvania,
the failure to do likewise in other states
and the repeal of them in some States,
are matters that should be well consid
cred. Some of the reasons why the full
crew bill could not become a law in
some States, are as follows:
In the State of Massachusetts,, the
bill was vetoed by the Governor, after
it had passed the Legislature, on the
ground that the public interests in such
details of railroad operation could not
be met by special arbitrary legislation.
1t was maintained that such matters
could be determined only by perma-
ent and powerful commission of experts.
In the State of Oklahoma, in veto
ing bill of like character, the Cover
nor, after riding freight trains to learn,
said the practical effect of this bill
would be to give employment to num-
Der of railroad men without increasing
the efficiency of the service and would
be supplying positions for three men to
do the work that could be done by two.
After an attempt to force full
crew law upon Connecticut, it was wise
ly referred by the State Assembly, to
the Railroad Commission, which wrote
one Of the strongest opinions that has
been given against the theory and eff
fects of such legislation by a compet-
ent body.
The same attempt failed to get SINH
lar laws in Colorado, Delaware, Vir-
ginia and Ohio.
A full crew law was enacted and
signed by the Governor in the State of
Missouri but never became operative.
as the citizens who saw harm rather
than good in the law, voted for its re-
peal at the following State election, by
a vote of more than two to one. The
court of public opinion, when it has
been appealed to for decision has de-
cided emphatically against the idea.
The most pronounced and complete
knockout of full crew law was in the
State of Missouri.
The law makers of the States who
have failed to pass a full crew law,
doubtless have heard and learned of
some of the hurtful results of such
law, which are as follows
/. 1t would have required thousands
of passengers and freight trainmen, for
whose presence there would have been
no need.
2. 1t would have created employ
ment, without real service in return,
and, in this way, would have worked
violence to economic laws, due to forced
waste in railroad operation.
8. 1t would have added unnecessary
extra expense to the railroads, which
monies, thus involved, could be better
diverted in the expenditure upon in
creased needed facilities and better SER
vice.
4. This law would have worked to
public hurt and would have been a bur.
den to the public, which the people are
not justly called upon to stand.
8. This would have put organized
labor in the false and untenantable DO
sition of demanding employment by
edict of law.
6. 1t would have had the effect of
foisting on the backs of the whole body
Of railroad employees, thousands of men
who would draw pay but for whom
there would exist no essential service
to perform.
z. In general and in particular, these
laws would have shouldered upon the
railroads an unnecessary operation ex-
pense to the cost of an army of stock
holders, most of whom have their saw
Ings so invested and are largely depend.
ent upon the income received from
these dividends.
Full crew laws, it is primarily claim.
ed by trainmen make for safe railroad
operation. The railroad companies, their
and their security y-holders
have very direct interest in safety first.
they stand for safety because humanity
demands; also as a plain business propo-
,ition. Accidents and wrecks are cost
y as we'll as fatal.
Property rights fall secondary to hu-
nan rights. In that contention the
.rainmen s organizations which forced
through the full crew laws and which
now fight, in error, as we believe, to
continue them, stand exactly where we
10. The railroads will give ready and
hearty support to all measures really
of the persons and property
If all those who use railroad service.
Shopmen.
Pa March 1Q16