Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1908 — THE RAILROASD [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE RAILROASD

Figures compiled by officials of the Southern Pacific show that in 1906 the Pacific lines of the system had 1,11)8 locomotives and 26,148 freight cars, an increase in motive power of 16 per cent and in freight cars of 20 per cent. State Legislatures do not possess autocratic powers over the railroads within their borders, according to a decision of the Supreme Cpiirt of Arkansas, and though the coastituijfinality of their seta may not be directly challengeable, still they are subject to a review of the courts as to their reasonableness and justice. That official? of railroads cannot be held responsible in any criminal sense* for wrecks that may happen upon their lines, even though the cause may be traced indirectly to their failure to provide adequate safeguards, is the essence of the instructions given to the jury by Justice Kellogg at New York in ordering the acquittal of Vice President and General Manager £mith of the New York Central railroad. Mr. Smith had been on trial for manslaughter in- connection with the wreck at Woodlawn on Feb. 16, in which twenty-three persons lost their lives. This case has attracted attention the country as the first in which a serious attempt was made to hold a. high official of a railroad responsible for the acts of subordinates. A decision recently rendered by the Interstate commerce commission han an important bearing on the effort which electric tractien lines have been making for some time to force the steam rodQs to give tfcoja nmsgnition in the sale of through tickets an"d the routing of through freight. Ip the expectation that industrial conditions will be much more* favorable for the prosecution of large vmdertakiags in which tabor cofflffltutes an eseenrtal part, the New York Central has decided to push to oxmpletloa Its terminal improvement and estensic-n «»lk with gnat vigor