Newport Takes the Railroad to Task

The State Board of Railway Commissioners visited Newport Wednesday afternoon. The commissioners had been on a tour of the state for the past three weeks, inspecting the railroads and holding hearings on complaints of inadequate service.

A special train conveying the commissioners arrived via the Great Northern at 4:30 p.m. and was met at the depot by representatives of the town council, Commercial Club and business men of the city. The commissioners and citizens repaired to the town hall, where the hearing was held.

In the party were H. A. Fairchild, chairman; J. C. Lawrence and Jesse [commissioner], commissioners; W. V. Tanner, assistant attorney general; A. W. Perry, inspector; L. B. Kaler, stenographer for the commission; F. V. Brown, official western counsel; M. J. Costello, traffic manager; Superintendent Bowen and Traveling Freight and Passenger Agent Maher, of the Great Northern.

Chairman Fairchild presided over the meeting, which was conducted in a formal manner. The citizens present who desired to give testimony were sworn in and the proceedings recorded by the clerk of the commission. For the town, Attorney S. W. Rogers made the opening statement, detailing the grievances of the town against the Great Northern, charging lack of station facilities and the maintaining of only one crossing over its tracks and that not properly safeguarded. Mayor Appel, F. C. Krause and other citizens were heard on these matters, and Hov Wimber was called upon to relate the lack of facilities for the proper handling of freight.

The commissioners closely questioned those present regarding conditions, and also enquired of Mr. Costello the amount of business done at this station by the railroad. Mr. Costello gave the following figures on the business for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1907 and 1908: For 1907, freight forwarded, $152,700.06; freight received, $32,359.78; passenger ticket sales, $25,729.33. For 1908, freight forwarded, $143,422.04; freight received, $43,849.10; passenger ticket sales, $26,654.37.

On the showing made by the citizens and the report of the business transacted at the station, the commissioners came to the unanimous conclusion that the present depot facilities were inadequate to the needs of the town. Mr. Costello, for the Great Northern, stated that plans for a new depot at this place and for a change of trackage in the local yards were at present in headquarters at St. Paul, and would shortly be ready for submission to the commission. The commissioners therefore continued the hearing until July 1, at which time, if plans have not been submitted to them, they will order the new depot.

Mr. Costello suggested that the plans would be submitted to the town council and Commercial Club before submission to the commission, and that an opportunity would then be given for the reception of any suggestions from the citizens.

In the matter of ordering the opening of streets across the tracks, Mr. Fairchild stated that the commission had no jurisdiction, but that they had authority to order existing crossings properly safeguarded, and would do so if the matter were not provided for in the contemplated rearrangement of trackage.

No complaints were offered by any of the citizens against the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad. The commissioners inspected the I. W. N. freight and passenger stations, and expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with the arrangements made for handling the business of the town. They departed for Spokane at 5 p.m. in a special over the I. W. N., accompanied by General Manager R. F. Blackwell, Chief Engineer W. C. Smith and General Passenger and Freight Agent George J. Mohler.

Newport has reason to be pleased with the visit of the commissioners to our town, as they left here with a thorough understanding of conditions and with the intention of having matters satisfactorily arranged.