The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-13
Railroad Disasters.


HOW TO, PREVENT THRM-PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF
THEIR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF AMENDING
RAILROAD CHARTERS, ETC.
TO the EDITOR OF THE HERALD
noticed article in your paper Of the 9Th instant
headed sailroad sasters, and How Prevent Them"
In speak Of this topic you that he frequency and
character Of railroad accidents Of late render IL i'm
peative that cogent should be taken 10
prevent their occurrence" have doubt there il but
one opin on this subject But the remedy you pre-
be does and will not prevent tho repetition Of
these sad disasters am remaining on, and have been
over ono year thirds of the time OF the most
important railroads in the United States and my observa
ton teaches that tho remedy lays with the authorities
who grant those charters 1t we'll known by all railroad
mon and the travelling public that accidents and deten
tons are more frequent single track railroads than
on double Tho single tracks obliged 70 have many
switches to accommodate the trains which are generally
attended by cheap, worthless and reckless employees
These persons very often naentvc in guarding and
regulating the switches for tho expected trains and by
ncgcctng their duties more Of the accidents
occur In consequence Of the engine jumping the switch II
not In Its place. When railroads have double track the
most Of those switches could DC dispensed wn ana
safely secured, and not endanger the train by tho
switchmen playing cards or being aslccep when tho
trains arc about passing. l have known switch
men TO neglect this duty several times II the compa-
MES wore Obliged whom their charters granted TO
forfeit this charter II would have the effect Of doing
away with loose and badly guarded switches and
than half the accidents and deentons caused BY them
would be prevented. Companies have their attention
more closely confined TO the profits Of the road than they
have TO It's safety and the safety Of the public.
Now the ecctia remedy TO all this lays in tho Iegsla
lures OF each State The FIRST would suggest 10 that II
any member accepts free ticket Of railroad companies,
he should DO indicted for receiving direct brbe and tho
company indicted for offering IT, II should also BIO made
penal offence for offering or receiving IT,
The second remedy Ia that every State should amend
the charters Of railroad companies and oblge them to
build double track tho entire line Of their roads, In
n specified time, and use their surplus accumuative cap
tai in finishing It, thereby facilitating and accommodating
the public and saving thousands Of lives Look at the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Baltimore 70 washing
ton This is within one, the oldest road IN tho United
States and has not yet double track VINO mas ever
travelled TO Washington the road and does not know
that they have laid switch branch 70 let trains pass
not moro than thirty minutes within sight OF the capital
How many accidents have occurred and lives have boon
lost between New York and Washington annually II
would be astonishing 10 II all the deaths we're
honestly given Another great benefit might result from
tho employment Of competent men on those railroads.