Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-02
Criticism of Surcharge
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Attorney Charles J. Rixey Of
washington, representing the south
ern roads. argued that even the items
on the Pullman contract were proper
evidence to show the expenses az
compared with the revenue received.
Commissioner Campbll, replying to
this statement, said that while he
had no intention to exclude the ties.
timony. he still thought that II these
expenses referred to in the testimony
and cross -examination were covered
by the contract, they did not have
any bearing on the public.
James Coleman. one of the attor-
neys for the western roads, asserted
that 1t was necessary to consider the
various items, and the cross exami--
nation continued for a few minutes,
when the commissioner again halted
it and urged that whatever items
were in the contract be placed in d
class by themselves and that the
same thing be done with those not
covered by the terms Of the con-
tract.
Mr.. Plant said that some of the
items were unknown quantities when
the contracts were made, and on the
other hand the contracts with the
roads differed.
What 1 would like to have" con-
tinued the commissioner" sis just
what items are not in the contract, I
would like to know just what benefit
the public receives from the Pull
man charge added to those not in the
contract. 1 think it will generally be
conceded that the Pullman passenger
gets more for his money than the
coach passenger, but it ought to be
set forth just what are the benefits
the contract. Still, I will not ex-
clude testimony along any other
line"
Attorney Rixey replied that 1t
would be very difficult to set the
items not in the contract and those
in it against each other, as no two
contracts are alike, and the items
would vary greatly.
Later on it developed, through
questions put by the commissioner,
that railroad executives are seriously
considering the reaching Of the limit,
in the future, Of the size of cars and
locomotives.
HAS the weight Of sleeping cars
increased out Of proportion to that
Of the locomotives? asked Commits
sioner Campbell.
IT cannot say that 1t has" replied
by Plant. 'Yet, as it has increased,
so must the strength Of the bridges,
rails and roadbeds be increased, and
so must the locomotives"
HAS the Pullman increased in
weight out of proportion to these
other items?"
81 cannot say definitely. would
say, however, that it has kept pace;
in some instances, perhaps, it has
increased"
What I was going to say" re-
marked Commissioner Campbell,
Is this: If this increase continues,
might the time not come when men
must say that the limit has been
reached?"
81 wouldn't say that the limit has
been reached, but that, sir, is being
seriously considered"
Attorneys cross questioning Mr..
Plant in addition to Mr.. Blumberg
were G. S. Fernald, general counsel
for the Pullman Company, and Mr..
Coleman. Their inquiries covered a
wide range of items entering into
the expense Of operating pullman
cars.
Mr.. Plant was quizzed at some
length relative to the comparative
weights of the new steel passenger
coaches and the pullman cars. He
said that the former weighed 100, 900
pounds and the latter 14S,0 900 pounds,
and the difference was so appreciable
that it could be added to the cost
of carrying the Pullmans.
Gould you measure 1t in dollars
and cents?" asked Mr.. Blumberg.
mo"
"Why not"
Because I do not believe that the
expense could be satisfactorily al
located to the two services"
do you consider that the carriers
secure a great benefit from the
operation of steel pullman cars. in
stead of wooden ones?" Mr.. Blumberg
inquired.
Il do not know Of any special
benefit to the carriers"
aren't they safer??"
"Of course"
"What other benefits are there to
the carrier"
IT don't know Of any"
Don't you believe that this item
Of safety brings additional travel?"
1.-THE element of safety always
should have first consideration"
Mr.. Blumberg wanted to know II 1t
WOuiu llOl ne necessary, III arriving
at the net revenue per mile, to take
into consideration the purchase price,
upkeep and wear and tear of a car.
Mr.. Plant replied that there would
be no need Of considering the capital
expenditure. Then he added:
II have been in the railroad busi-
ness fifty years. and have never yet
heard of net profit or loss in the
carrying of a pullman passenger.
don't think the figures can be pro-
duced that will show the net revenue
from a sleeping car passenger"
At the request of Mr. Fernald and
John B. Keeler. examiner for the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Mr.. Plant agreed to submit later
detailed statements relating to some
items of expense showing wide
discrepancies on two roads that diff
fered comparatively little in length.
One of these items related to the
expense of selling tickets.
Mr.. Plant had explained that on
some roads there were no special of
flcers for the sale of pullman tickets
except in the larger places. clerks
elsewhere selling both regular pas
senger and pullman tickets. In some
instances there might be clerks as
signed to the special duty of handl-
ing the pullman tickets.
Flappers in 1923
However the pulpits and the press
may thunder against the f1appers,
male and female, who abound today.