The Delta independent., 1923-04-13
JUDGE sYMEs REPLIES TO
GOVERNOR RE p. Z r. G.

District court issues the following re
ply to widely published interview
by Governor Sweet. in which the gov
ernor disparaged the service perform
ed by the Denver & Rio Grande Wes-
tern Railroad and criticized the atti-
tude of the company towards those
employees who went out on strike last
July.
Hon. William E. Sweet, Capitol Build
ing. Denver, Colo.
My Dear Governor Sweet:
Mr., Young. the receiver of the Dem
yer & Rio Grande Western Railroad
which is now being operated by this
Court, has informed me of his con-
ference with you in regard to taking
back the shopmen who went out on
strike last summer, and of your de-
sire for an improvement in the SER
vice rendered by the road. appre-
ciate your very proper interest and
realize that the people of Colorado
are entitled ii know what Is being
done bu the Court in matter that 30
vitality affects their welfare
The Court appreciates fully the poor
and inadequate service rendered by
road for several years past. for which
there is no legitimate excuse. espec-
are entitled to know what is being
done by the Court in matter that SO
prosperity Of the state.
Upon the appointment OF the re-
ceiver. July 81, 1922. the Court pub
licly announced that the giving of the
best service possible to the people
was, and must be. the sole and para
mount consideration in its operation
of the road. Therefore special mas
ter was appointed and directed to
conduct an exhaustive hearing on the
condition and needs OF the system.
AS a result thereof he reported that
$23 100000 was required to put the
road in first class condition. Realiz
ing the impossibility of raising any
such sum, due to the heavy indebted
ness OF the road, the Court cut this
program to $15.000,00O. In addition
the receiver was ordered to carry out
an emergency program of $1,700,000
to be spent on new rails, bridges and
improvements OF way. This work is
about completed.
The following plan was devised to
raise the $15,OoO.0OO viz: Equipment
Trust Notes $5,0OO,O00; Receivers
Certificates $5,000,000; surplus earn
ings $5.0OO,O0O.
On July End 1922, 81 per cent Of the
shopmen employed on this system
struck, and for some time 1t was very
doubtful II the road could even be kept
in operation. They went out because
they were unwilling to accept the ar
bhration decision OF the United
States Labor Board. Further, at the
time 1t was impossible, as you know
for the receiver to get the old en-
ployees back on any terms, as they
would not return until the strike was
settled nationally. in spite OF the fact
that they admitted they had no griev-
ance against this road. The strike
has never been called off The Court
was therefore faced with two alterna-
tives; either shut down and thus de-
prive SO per cent Of the people of the
state OF Rio Grande service, or; oper-
ate the road with new men. The lat
ter alternative was chosen. New men
were employed and forces organized
in shops and the service gradually i'm
proved, until today the shops are
operating more efficiently than before
the strike.
As a result Of the extraordinary ex-
penses entailed in bringing in new
men. feeding and protecting them
against assault and intimidation, and
damage to equipment directly trace
able to sabotage, which still contin.
ues to some extent, the road was un-
able to fully handle the crops last
fall. and q great loss was suffered by
shippers Of stock. fruit and other pro.
ducts. This condition, however, was
general throughout the country. These
increased expenses amounted directly
TO over S3.000.000. ana much larger
sum indirectly. and wiped out all sur
plus earnings; 10 that the 81, 900. 900
axnartAd tn ho darivnA frnv, na,.w gn -