Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-15

are difficulties in the way of their use in this
State AT one of the examinations of this
road some defects were discovered in the
temporary trestle bridge at Yarmouth, Whit
man truss bridge, iron girder bridge in Bethel
and the Peabody river bridge. Notice of these
defects was given to the proper officers of the
| Company and the needed repairs have been
made. C.. j. Bridges, Esq, of Montreal, is
Managing Director of the Grand Trunk of
Canada. and c. K. Barrett, Esq, of Portland,
is Local Treasurer.
There are 81 miles of railway in the State.
ia l-2 miles were opened in 1871, and 70
miles are under construction. The railroads
of Maine may compare favorably with other
roads in New England, but they have net all
of them that permanence of structure and
completeness Of finish which the travel de-
mands. The mode of travel by railroads ex-
lists by the pleasure of the people, and its
chartered immunities are boon granted them
through the Legislature. From this fact the
commissioners ably argue that the Legislature
should see to it that the lives of the travelling
public should be protected and made secure
possible from the occurrence Of accidents.
But the accidents of the past season, for
which the railroad companies were in fault,
were not all occasioned by defects in the road.
Some OF them arose from the want OF
proper oversight by managers and the mat
tention of employees. And this latter cause
of disasters the Legislature has attempted to
prevent. 1t holds over the director or en-
ployee in fault the terror Of imprisonment for
death or casualty o0casioned by his neglect.
But railroad employment is to some extent
peculiar-it requires intelligence and expert
ence like other responsible positions; an OBJ
nf NJ In
orders with the exactitude of military service.
Can any policy in railroad management or
legislation, better than the present be devised
TO make directors more vigilant and en-
ployees more mindful of duty? Any contri-
button of thought or suggestion, or experience
in aid of such improvement may be OF meal
culable advantage-for who can set down in
dollars and cents the value of a single life
saved-to itself or to the State? Besides
threatening TO punish for neglect of duty,
it is suggested that faithful employees be re-
warded by promotions. Complaint is made,
that discrimination is made by the railroads
in their tariff for passengers and freight, tend
ing to direct business from its natural chan
neis, unjust to travellers, and shippers, and
prejudicial to State interests. The present
practice of regulating the running OF trains
going in the same direction, or OF an extra
following regular train, is by dtstauces-re-
curing the following train to keep always one
mile in the rear of the train ahead. This
leaves the matter in the hands of the engine
driver, and his Judgment Of distances may
be at fault. Would not better rule be, that
trains shall not leave or pass station until
the preceding train has been gone ten min
utes?
Several railroads have been completed the
past year, others extended and new routes are
under consideration, indicating desire on
the part of the people of the State to make
available all their local resources, and to
reach out to the markets of the world. The
Commissioners express the opinion that the
great want in railroad service is rather atten-
ton to his duties by the Superintendent, and
yigilant performance and strict observance of
regulations by employees, than any new rules
or laws for the prevention of accident. As
the power and duties OF the Commissioners
are only advisory, except in case OF apparent
existing unsafety. the question is submitted
whether they should be clothed with fuller
powers, or the Governor or the Governor
and Council upon their application. should be
authorized to act as the exigcncies of travel
or public safety might require under such
limitations the good sense Of the Legisla-
ture may prescribe.
The report closes with the details of the
accidents of the past year upon the several
roads. There has been an unusual number
some of them most sad and disasterous-the
legitimate result either of inefiiciency or man
agement defect of road or rolling stock,
neglect of employees or carelessness of the
injured The report on the Hampden road
disaster is also given in full, but this has
already been given in our columns.