The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-24
FULL CREW FOES
AIR THEIR VIEWS
Interests Favoring the
Repeal Of the Present
Law Say 1t is a Need
less Burden
CALL 1T A DRAIN
ON RAILROADS
Several Speakers Declare That Extra
Men Now Required by the Statute
for the Operation Of Trains Do Not
Add to Safety

The hearing in the Senate chamber
late yesterday afternoon on the meas
ure introduced in the House to repeal
o clock, but it was full of interest
through all the long hours of the ses-
sion. The advocates of repeal received
close attention, and James Scarlet and
John c. Bell, attorneys for the train
men, whose side will be heard next
Tuesday, made copious notes as the
various speakers presented their argu-
ments. At the close of the address Of
A. B. Farquhar, of York, who pleaded
for the repeal of the bill on the ground
that it would make business better, the
chair introduced many speakers in quick
succession.
Alba B, johnson, president of the
Baldwin locomotive works, declared the
full crew act was an unjust law be-
cause it did not deal fairly with cap
ital or even with labor, as in his opinion
it required men for places not needed.
1t appeared to him to be move toward
State operation which he held would be
unfortunate. MIR. johnson asserted that
the full crew act had diminished pur-
chasing power Of railroads and thereby
affected many industries especially the
railroad supply lines.
Says Extra Men Are Not Needed
George Stuart Patterson, of the Penn
| sylvania railroad, then argued against
| the act as it stands. He declared it had
,bn +Io4
needed by many .ests and that not an
accident which could have been prevent
ed by the extra man had been found.
Over 500 trains in Pennsylvania carry
men in excess of what the law requires
| to-day
"This statute declared Mr.. Pat
| terson, Sin common with otner cases,
has curtailed RAILROAD improvements,
and so diminished railroad purchases as
to work the severest injury to the indus.
tries and people of this State. In the
last five years the thirty i've Eastern
railway systems invested over $780,
100000 in yards, tracks, equipment
stations and other facilities for the
transportation of passengers and freight
and at the end of this period found
themselves due to extra crew laws as
well as to- other causes, with $93 900,
600 less of net operating income than
before the investment was made. -
E. M. Herr, president of the West
inghouse ComEany said the law in re
quiring men not needed forced unscien
tifc business methods on railroads anC
also endangered discipline.
Paul d. Wright, Erie manufacturer
InA1a hot L rt-1n rlo l.,
take steps to ease burdens and not re
tain laws that mean economic losses.
j. Phillips, division superintendent O.
the Delaware, Lackawanna and West
ern. railroad man for thirty years
spoke for the repeal from the railroa,
operators side, while C. j. Tyson. o
Adams county, spoke for horticultural
dairy, agricultural and other interests
cbjecting to increased expenditures fo
unnecessary men because of the burdel
falling on shippers.
Calls 1t Drain on Roads
r. Coleman Sellers, Philadelphia man
ufacturer, said railroads could be de
pneded upon adequately to man train
because accidents are expensive.
George Il. Bartol, president of tn,
Philadeli hia Bourse, declared it was u
to the opponents of the repeal to shov
a reduction of accidents through opera
ton of the act and that greater safet,
is due to the extra man.
Thomas III. Greer, Butler, a Pennsyl
vania railroad solicitor and former rail
road employee, told what a brakeman
used to do years ago and what he doe
to-day, together with statements as t.
pay. Mr.. Greer said that the extra MAJ
who must now be employed in Penn
sylvania is dropped when the train en-
ters Ohio, and yet in his opinion trave
in Ohio is not less safe. He considere,
the full crew law an unjust drain on tn
railroads.
John s. Fisher, of Indiana, forme
Senator and now solicitor for the Ney
York Central, said that the whole man