Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1907 — RAILROADS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RAILROADS

The statistics compiled by the Interstate Commerce Commission for the yepr ending June 30, 1906, show that the number pf persons on the pay rolls of the railroads of the United States was 1,521,355. The total amount of wages and salaries paid to employes during the year was $900,801,653. The numbey of railway corporations was 2,313, and the total single-track mileage 224,363, of which 3,971 was operated by receivers. A report filed with the internal affair* department shows that the Pennsylvania railroad between Pittsburg and Philadelphia is 348.8 miles in length. Person* traveling between the cities have been charged for 353 miles, this being the distance when the road was measured before the company began straightening its lines, and In the curves that have been removed within the last year the distance has been reduced four miles. There has been no corresponding reduction in the mileag* charges. This reduction will be necessary now. The United Circuit Court of Appeals at Denver has affirmed the decision of th* lower court against the Great Northern railroad in the rebate cases, thus deciding in favor of the government an important point, to the effect that prosecution* under the old Elkins act are not invalidated by the new Hepburn rate law. The higher court bolds that the Hepburn act I* amendatory and not repealing, and that so far as it repeats portions of the Bikin* act it continues them in force, end that in so far as it omits or changes the provisions of the Elkins act it repeals them. Every railroad in the State of Mississippi was indicted by the grand jury 3T Jackson for failure to furnish the Stat* Railroad Commission with a list of passe* issued by them. This action Is m line with the indictments issued against th* Yasoo and Mississippi Valley and Illinois Central railroads. The anti-pass law thus invoked was enacted In 1884, and 1* said to be the flrst anti-p*as law eaartad in thia country. It had long been a dead letter, but was resurrected by Prosecuting Attorney Ilarria, who is now pursuing members of the Legislature and State officers for accepting passe*