Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-03-02
Legislation.

The increased scope and great burden of the
uulles and responsibilities imposed upon the Iu-
teiSthte Commerce Commission should now he
Followed by the amendment of the Federal laws
rom which its authority is derived The Com
mission should be definitely empowered by spe-
clne provisions in these laws 10 strengthen the
railroads., upon which the welfare OF the Country
so largely depends, 81 as TO encourage the invest
lnenl or private capital for the expansion of
thelr facilities and services, and the preserva-
tlon OF their credit by means OF reasonable rates
which viii accord with the higher costs and bur.
dens placed un them in complying with statu-
loty requirements and governmental awards and
regulations. The Commission should be enlarged
ana so organized as to be able to deal promptly
Win the important railroad questions which uIl-
der the existing scheme OF Governmental regula-
tlon must be considered by it, The position OF
u Commissioner should be placed beyond political
influence by long tenure OF office. and the
compensation should be sufficient TO attract and
le.aih ,I men OF tue Msfest experience aud great
est ability. The regulatory power OF the Com
VISION VISION ana control OF all rates and practices
which directly or remotely affect interstate
transportation or commerce, and should include
power 10 maintain rate structure approved by
or satisfactory 10 1t. even though TO accomplish
thls II shonld be necessary TO prevent reduc-
lions OF rates or TO compel advances of rates
found by the Commission to be unreasonable
low. An unreasonably low rate may be bened-
cial 70 some one or more shippers but the rn tps
OF some other shippers are sure TO be dIsad-
vantageously affected thereby The services of
the Commission should he made ayailoble to
remedy the concededly Inadequate revenues OF
the railroads FOR the transportation of mails
aud Parcel Post, and the power OF Commits
in rates should he limited. so as to prevent loss
OF revenue TO the railroads during the suspen.
sion or rates subsequently determined TO he
reasonable; increases In wages and other bur
dens which seriously enlarge railroad expenses
should not be imposed by legislation. through
awards of Governmental bodies, unless the abll-
ity OF the railroads TO pay the same under the
rate schedules then in efect is clearly appar-
ent, or unless the Interstate Commerce Com.
mission is prepared to approve of Increases in
rate schedules that will enable the railroads TO
credit or efficiency.
Weak railroads are among the greatest oh.
stacles TO business enterprise and commerce and
lhe country VIII have TOO many weak railroads
unless constructive and equitable policy of
public regulation is practiced. not as a pallia-
tive. but permanent public and business ne
cessity. He'
The railroads are stil burdened with the
needless expenditure required TO comply with the
so-called Fun Crew Laws, which are actua lIy
EHtra crew Laws: The principal requirements
OF these laws, which vary somewhat in the dir
ferent states are In substance that every
hnI hhreisht train train OF more than thirty cars must
nave second brakeman In addition 70 the reg
ular crew OF engineman, fireman, conductor one
reguar brakeman and hagman; every passen-
ger tram having four or more coaches-this term
covering Pullman and dining cars as well-and
one baggage car, must have an extra brakeman
In addition to the regular full crew consisting
or engineman, fireman, conductor baggarema5
and brakeman, this not TO include train norters
and Pullman employees: every train comndsed oS
Iour or more passenger mail, or express cars
empty or loaded must have crew OF engine.
man fireman, conductor and two brakemen, even
though no passengers are carried.
II is estimated that this law has added over
SO0OOQO per annum to the Operating Expenses
or the Pennsylvania System East and West of
Illtspnrgh and this enforced expenditure is a
pure economic waste, because ii does not in
crease the safety or efficiency of opera tions.
rms amount could have been spent 10 far
greater advantage In the Improvement of road
way and equipment, and in giving Increased en-
pioyment, from which the public and employees
would have received real benefits ArhItrsrv
laws requiring additional men on trains witbMit
regard to the necessity for their services, i'm.
pose, pose dlrect and unnecessary burden on the
weaken the working discipline and from the
STANDPOINT OF the employees not only impair the
aDlllty OF the Company ~ continue to pay fbe
present rates of wage % that great body OF
to delay promotion. ''' S'S'