experienced on street railroads operated by cable and electric power. Instances are frequent where the reduction of speed in a second of time is necessary to prevent accident, and this can only be secured by the adoption of some form of air-brake.

Eleventh. That all applicants for positions as motormen shall be subjected to a thorough examination as to their habits, physical ability and intelligence. If this examination is satisfactory, the applicant shall be placed in a shop or power-house where he can be taught and made familiar with the power and machinery he is about to control. When this is done he should be placed on a car with an instructor, and when the latter is satisfied as to the applicant's capability for the position of motorman, he shall so certify to the manager, and, if appointed the applicant should first serve on the lines of least travel. These requirements will necessitate the employment of first-class men, and they should be strictly held to the observance of all ordinances, rules and regulations.

Twelfth. All cars on electric railroads where there is a grade of over three per cent. shall be equipped with sand boxes and sand.

Thirteenth. Stops should be made only on crossings. Where blocks are long, stations or stopping places should be designated.

Under the old system of horse cars it has been customary for the cars at crossings to pass the first or near crossing and stop with the rear platform at the second crossing, thereby avoiding the blocking of cross streets by the horses and cars. Now that the use of horses has been practically dispensed with, the propriety of cars stopping at the first crossing so that egress and ingress can be had from the front platform is under discussion. The Board is not yet ready to make a recommendation on this subject.

Local authorities should use all possible means to prevent the unnecessary and oftentimes willful obstruction of street car lines by persons in charge of vehicles.

Drivers of vehicles in cities should use caution in driving from cross streets to streets where there are electric or cable car lines. The speed of such cars in suburban districts should not exceed twelve miles an hour. Regulations as to the rate of speed in the more populous localities of large cities must, necessarily, be left to the local authorities. Where it becomes necessary for the

Board to interfere as to this question, special recommendations applying to the particular localities will be made. It is undoubtedly customary in many instances for motormen on trolley cars to run at an excessive rate of speed. The attention of local authorities is called to this subject, and it is earnestly recom. mended that they take action in the matter. The Board's atten

tion has quite recently been called to the statement of Prof. Plymton in the annual report of the Brooklyn Subway Commission, wherein he says, in speaking of the trolley system, "regulation of the speed can probably be accomplished only by a mechanical governor, which will limit the rate of the motor to that required to propel the car to the maximum legal velocity." If such a device is practicable it will be a very satisfactory solution of the question. If it is not, the Board would suggest to the consideration of the officials of these roads, the use of some form of indicator on each car, whereby the motorman, as well as the passengers, can tell at a glance the rate of speed maintained by the car.

Legislation should be had which will compel all cars on such railroads to stop before crossing steam railroads, or some provision should be made for an interlocking switch and signal at such crossings of steam railroads, as is now provided where steam railroads cross each other. The law should also provide that at highway crossings in suburban districts there shall be sign-boards to warn people of the presence of such electric or cable roads.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE RULES OF PROCEDURE ADOPTED BY THE BOARD IN MATTERS COMING BEFORE IT:

Complaints.

Complaints to the Board against railroad companies should be made in writing, and the cause of complaint should be stated clearly. Upon receipt of a complaint a copy is sent to the railroad company, and an answer must be made within ten days, unless longer time is allowed by the Board. A copy of the answer is sent to the complainant, and, if not satisfactory, issue is joined, a hearing had and a decision rendered.

Increase of Capital Stock.

(Section 46, Stock Corporation Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires:

First. Three certified copies of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, two to be indorsed and one to be filed in this office.

Second. A sworn statement of the financial condition of the company as to the amount of the capital stock, outstanding indebtedness and the cost of road and equipment.

Third. A sworn statement of the purposes to which the proposed increase is to be devoted, and, if for further construction or equipment, an estimate of the cost thereof made by a person competent to make the same, and verified.

Reduction of Capital Stock.

(Section 46, Stock Corporation Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires :

First. Three certified copies of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, two to be indorsed and one to be filed in this office.

Second. A sworn statement from the proper officer of the company that the reduced capital is sufficient for the proper purposes of the corporation and is in excess of its debts and liabilities, the aggregate amount of such debts and liabilities to be stated.

Increase or Reduction of Number of Shares of Stock. (Section 56, Stock Corporation Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires:

First. Three certified copies of the proceedings of the meeting of the stockholders, two to be indorsed and one to be filed in this office.

Second. A statement of the reasons why it is proposed to increase or reduce the number of shares of stock.

Filing of Maps of Railroads.

(Section 6, Railroad Law.)

Section 6 of the Railroad Law shows in detail what is required.

Accommodation of Connecting Railroads.

(Section 35, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board will in each case prescribe rules for proof in applications under this section.

Railroads Crossing Each Other at Grade.

(Section 36, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires:

First. As to the precedence of trains: The Board will in each case prescribe rules for proof in applications under this provision. Second. In applications for approval of an interlocking switch and signal apparatus at such crossings, a hearing will be given at which a blue-print or sketch of the proposed system must be submitted to the Board which shall show distant signals at least 1,500 feet from the crossing (except where impracticable); home signals at the crossing, and throw-off switches (except where impracticable), all interlocked and operated from a tower.

Safety Devices.

(Section 50, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. Applications under this section will be considered under rules made for each case.

Cooking Stoves Used in Dining Cars.

(Section 51, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. In applications under this section for approval of cooking stoves in dining cars, the Board must see the stove proposed to be used, or a blueprint or sketch of it.

Cessation of Operation of Railroads during the Winter Months.

(Section 55, Railroad Law. See section 21, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board will require notice of hearing on applications under this section to be advertised. Proof must be furnished that the road comes within the meaning of the section, and that the public interests

will not suffer from the cessation of operations. If the application is granted, proof must be subsequently made that the order has been posted as required by section 55.

Fixing Compensation for Transportation of the Mails. (Section 56, Railroad Law.)

Rules of procedure under this section will be formulated in each case.

Extension of Time in which to file Reports of Railroad

Companies.

(Section 57, Railroad Law.)

Applications under this section must be accompanied by a statement of the reasons why an extension of time in which to file reports is necessary.

Certificate that Public Convenience and Necessity Requires the Construction of a new Railroad.

(Section 59, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. The Board requires:

First. Proof of the publication of the articles of association of the company as required by section 59.

Second. Public notice of the application and hearing before the Board must be published in such form and in such newspapers as the Board shall direct.

Third. At the hearing, proof must be made (by affidavit or oral evidence, or both) that public convenience and necessity require the construction of the railroad.

Fourth. A map and survey of the line as proposed must be filed with the Board.

Fifth. Proof must be made of the bona fides of the enterprise, and of the financial ability of the projectors to build the road.

Consolidation or Lease of Parallel and Competing Steam Railroads.

(Section 80, Railroad Law.)

Application must be made by verified petition. Rules for the consideration of applications under this section will be established by the Board in each case.