The New York herald., 1871-10-25
FIRES FROM LOCOMOTIVES.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
1t Is universally known that ever since locom a
tives have been traversng our country fires oriQ1.
mating with them have been the cause OF the burn.
ing OF property along their routes. Dwellings. de.
pots, bridges and other property, both OF railroad
companies and others, have all along through
the last thirty years been consumed by them
For Time 1t seemed q necessary evil, for there
was no known means OF prevention. watchfulness
and care would do and did much TO ward on thls
class OF accdents but OF late years recklessness has
been taking the place OF care with both officers ana
employees, until It has become true that in q major.
ity OF the accidents by rail- they readily traced to
the incompetence or caree5sless OIL those 10 whom
responsible charges are committed. With
the increase OF railroad lines the dam
ages from the coals aud sparks from loco
motives have been rapidly on the increase
SO that not here and there an Isolated case aIOno
but ravages OF large tracts OF country Wholesale
destruction OF property, demolished and consumed
trans OF cars. with their precious human freight,
and fires from East 10 West, from North to South.
testify to the RISKS TO the pubic OF these engines OF
power For the last two years, with the Country
threaded In every direction by railroads. has this be-
come notably and increasingly true and now has
come the devastation ana suffering SO appalling.
scattered fires from railroad trains cannot be de
termined but that these res are in part the result
OF coals anu sparks from locomotives Is well Known
Under the present generally prevailing consruction
OF the nre boxes OF locomotive engines Goals are
cons,ahty scattered from them along the track aud
Wnred Dy the rush OF the train In ull aIrecti ons
and the sparks though less dangerous and petIer
OIL destruction ~ s~A"AA
IN .nls sla;e OF tnngs-with the yearly increasing
dangers and damages from these nres-ir might be
assumed tnat the railroad companies wound adopt
any means within their reach that would Insure
salety 10 their own property and protection 10 the
pIopeIy anu lves OF the suffering pubic against
tnls element, so terrible when uncontrolled 10 the
extent OF their failure to apply such means for the
prevention or these calamities are railroad compa
mes morally and legally accountable. The law and
aecislons are explicit and II there be appliances
.nat wul render the hres Of locomotives harmless
In 4
VI sner service 10 the public, and r railroad com-
pues, ,pmrn, tnr9ugn any false ideas Of economy or
ssnIouen Inuluerence or recklessness fall 10 use
snem .. then should the Legislatures enforce their
use Win neavy penalties for the neglect and pass
sucn legal enactments as Will make the oficefs OF
raroaos personally responsible Tor sucn wilful dis
iokS,a s, VI .ue rghts and lives vi the community
Inis source oil public and private calamity can b
unu snoud pe AZ an end, ana the public press con-
unue 70 urge attention TO this subject TILL the pubic
shall oe iully informed OF ITS rights and our legsla-
tors oe lnCuced 10 fulfil their obligations 10 their
constituents or railroad companies take the initia-
Lon. w. u. p.
NEW YORx. Oot n ls7L