The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-16
A Way to Prevent Accidents.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
DEAR SR-Having had some fifteen years experience
in operating railroads. claim to know something Of the
requirements necessary to the good management Of
sengcrs and beg leave. through your valuable journal
to suggest remedy for obviating many Of the most
serious accidents that becoming almost Of daily
currence on them.
What propose recommend is additional man to
each passenger train that runs at speed exceeding
twenty miles per hour let bis title be conductor cap
tain, guard which you please, think conductor the
most proper and when on duty he sheuld have the
.nv that 70
within his jurisdiction When the train is in motion
his place should be in comfortable seat erected the
left side Of The locomotive boiler, about midway
between the nrebox and smoke pipe, with hi.
face in the direction the train il moving. In
a conspicuous place near him should be placed
time table Of all the trains run on the road The oo-
pAny should fnI nish him with watch locked within
wooden case the face only visible the winding and re-
guletipg to be entrusted to some competent person
authorized by them and given to him his departure
from the principal DEPOT On his return he should hand
up examined and adjusted IL required. In his hand he
should hold the signal cord to be ready in instant to
Mole ass sat r ous In short
time, and constant wachfuness for ali distractions
that could possibly interfere wit the safety of his
sengs The qualifications for this position should be
temperance morality, and good common school sduca-
Won, spa any person applying for the situation above
described who should complain of the locality Of his
'est icing in position whore he would be most likely
70 he hihed nrst has no confidence in himself and is
Al for the position.
The title OF the present conductors should bs chang.
cd 20 collector. His business should be to col.
bet the tickets from tho,e who have paid, aud
from thosc who have not that the breakmen at
their posts look TO the comfort OF his passengers and
asit all who require II out and In the treat all
with due rsspsct and mpsrt to them any Information
solicited.
may be necessary TO make rome explanations or give
some reason why another man should be employed on
trains for the security Of life and property
which viii do as briefly can viz because there Is
rot Under The present. management person who can
devote bis whole time In keeping lookout ahead the
conductor (as lie Is nov termed who Is called the
responsible man. cannot scharte all the duties ,sign-
ID him, and have sufficient time to look at than
many q the railroads that the conductors
have rot than sufficient time 20 attend 10 .heir
duties within the before the arrival II tho train at
The station. hence the inpossiby OF his keeping a
vstcdnl eye the road In fac. he does not have time
~ examine his time table, consult his watch and con-
The train u standing At the depot out of danger that he
hes an opportunity To take his observation and make his
Aching Before leaving he may Inform the gneer OF
be ne ana dect the required speed 70 te next station
es,nr The enfirc ehafe Of the train while In motion
WITH tie enf ineer while he upon his duties within
~ cars anc otiby before the train has gone mle
one ~ 10Th ~ the pumps refuse inject the requisite
n aat} !" water - koeP Up the supply In the boiler
80 aihhtoa I a. once drawn towards them for he
tfuNs hat unss lie esls them 70 work he nust either
,aeic ~ fgecd pat the Gre burn the focs or no.
ebanee ahe hs Chance among the fragments generally
CaDffd bJ "A Explosion Other causes may attract M
aenten soos unusual sound may be heard caused Inv
@Fsngtweht q tone part Of the machinery; he begins
q essnne he euerent parts Of HE engine Immediately
70 csain Tie csufe, and IL possible 20 adjust IL bs
c ~ engine i eniIely disabled and the traiS STONED
Ttrs lego hfr uih many othsrS that csaid
ssnt % nE0v that the constant attention OF the
srsteer re3ursd 10 watch his engine when In motion
hot shIe thee sKamiraioos are going on and the en-