The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-02-19
Railroads Caught Between Two
Extremes Show Need For
RelpFrom Legislature.
ASK NEW PASSENGER RATE
FONT to Tremendous Expenditures
Required of Them Following Pas
senger Rate Reduction
in 1907.

with the bill for 2 II cent a mile pas
senger rate, which comes before tn
present session of the Indiana Legis
lature at Indianapolis.
These two points are:
l. The same authority (the Legis
lature) which reduced Indiana pas
senger rates SO 136 in 1907 was alsc
the cause of substantial portion o.
the additional expense which the rail
roads had subsequently to meet.
2. A very large part of the great in
crease In expense to which the rail
roads have been put since 1907
brought absolutely no increase in
| revenues.
Following the enactment of the 9
cent a mile passenger law in Indiana
In 1907, the steam railroads of the
State were caught in a curious situa-
ton. The passenger rate was cut
from 3 to 2 cents a mile, which re-
duced their passenger income one
third. Their income went down, and
at the same time costs rose on every
hand
The Indiana Legislature, which
| brought about the reduction in pas
senger revenue by the enactment of
the cent a mile law now turned its
attention to devices and equipment for
improving transportation conditions,
particularly in the line of safety both
to passengers and trainmen.
In the years which have followed
the 331s%o reduction in Indiana pas
senger rates, the State has required
many things of the railroads. The
1914 report of the Public Service
Commission to the Governor of Indi-
ana says:
Combined Effect a Burden.
1.-THE Legislature in its wisdom has
enacted large number of laws, no
one of which in itself would be burden
some to the railroad, but the combined
effect of all them became very burden
some to them. 1t is not our judg-
ment that any of the laws were un-
wisely enacted. Each one has a
humane and wise purpose behind it.
Among these are improved safety APP
planes, interlocking devices, auto
matte block signals, grade separa-
lions, improved cabooses, more eff
cient headlights, full train crews for
engines that add to the safey of life
for those that operate them, and many
others.
each of these laws is wisely de-
signed for the protection of the prop
erty of the companies or for the lives
of those who operate them or travel
on the highways of the State. These
laws ought not to be abandoned, but
should be courageously, wisely and
vigorously enforced, keeping in mind
at all times that there is limit be-
yond which the revenues of the rail-
roads will be insufficient to defray ex-
penses."
The Worcestershire law and the act
requiring automatic fire-box doors, adj
ded also to the expense of the rail
roads at the critical time when pas
senger revenues were reduced one
third by State legislation.
All Expenses Increased.
Year by year the expense of labor,
supplies and material increased, with
no corresponding increase of revenue.
The Public Service Commission of In
diana In Its report comments upon this
fact. There has beer marked in
crease In the wages of labor" SAYS
the report" which has more than
overcome the constantly increasing
efficiency of labor. There has been a
marked increase in all the materials
that enter into the construction, re-
pairs and maintenance of railway
Testimony by 80 railroads before
he Interstate Commerce Commission.
IS stated in the Commissions report,
showed an increase of 9.O29o in wages
n comparing 1913 with 1909.
1t was also pointed out in this re-
bort that if "the scale of wages for
.9O9 had been in effect during 1913
he labor costs of the latter year
would have been less by about $751;
100000 than they actually were"
The same report indicated that the
Iverage price of coal had increased
.7fo from 1910 to 1913.
The railroads have entered no COM
'laint as to the increased expense,
the fact that much of it
as been both wise and inevitable
But they are emphasizing the fact
hat very little of the added expense :
as brought them increased business
r larger income, and that the same
hand" which has helped increase their
expenses, although wisely, has at the
anne time reduced their revenue.
'hese are the points that they are
laking plain in their statement of
with the hope that in the
interests of good business and justice
heir condition may be remedied by
he enactment of pa cent passenger !