Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-09
LRrrsss Rso.n rHE PEOPLE.

Editor Star:-scarcely day passes but what
we can pick up the newspapers and see ac-
counts OF great railroad accidents, where MANY
lives are lost, and the bodies of persons are
found and In many cases are totally unrecog-
nizabie. Now, would suggest, Mr.. Editor, 20
the railroad companies of the Uaited States, a
method which, II adopted. would be Of great
value both to the railroads and their passengers.
When we buy ticket on a frst-class railroad,
we expect, and ii Is always understood that the
railroads agree to use ali methods in their
power toward the safe transportation of the
traveller to his destination. The railroads should
require each passenger, as he buys his ticket to
address and name of the person at whose house
he resides. II this was done, and a railroad
accident should happen, the officials Of the
pany at the city from which the train started
and these officers, having the names of the pas
sengers and the address of their friends, could
0lspatch messengers all over the city, or else
prlDg the telegraph into requisition, and thus
notify the friends of the passengers that an ac-
cident had happened to the train in which their
relatives and friends had taken passage Then,
II the persons notified wish to 90 to the scene of
the disaster and find out the particulars and at
tend to the wants and comforts of their loved
ones, they can do SO. In this way the friends of
the killed and wounded could reach the scene
much sooner than they otherwise could. and be
abie TO recognize the bodies of their friends if
Killed, and care for them If wounded. This
would save the railroad companies the expense
OF burial where they cannot find the relatives
and the cost of caring for the sick during the
the newspapers. Congress should pass an act
to this effect, and Off GERS of the law should see
that 1t is strictly enforced, and bring the COM
panies violating this rule speedily to Justice.
PRECAUTIoN.
Editor Star. By way of answer to 4" Conve-
nience," in your issue of the 9th inst, would
give my views on the subject. 1 do not think
the railroads could be brought together and act
In connection with each other. / would Just as
soon try to get Tom Scott TO run CARROTS cars
nfNvah i1 nRnAa TAr
as to try to get President Riker to act with
PRESIDENT Thompson. The Columbia road
beheve would do 1t, but to entertain the idea of
the Washington and Georgetown and Metro
politan joining hands over the {" bloody chasmn
say 1t can't be done. / DO not reckon Thomp-
son would join Riher after the effort made to
prevent him from extending his lines to George
town and the Navy Yard He brought great
influence TO bear against him, and it ended as
we know, in Thompson's favor; vet it was a
mighty close shave, and Riker has such hate
hand rather than do 1t. The Washington and
Georgetown might unite with the Columbia
r rot as ";oonvenience" suggests, as they are
whereas the Metropolitan charges seven cents.
The Metropolitan might join If they were not
such enemies, and let the fare go, as they sell
I'VE lckets for quarter of q dollar, and the
plan 4" Convenience" suggests relates to tickets
entirely. Yet think the possibility of uniting
even In such small matter between our three
street car lines is very doubtful indeed. 1
simply state the above as my views and moth
ing that have written is on any authority, but
is simply the result of my own observations
think, though, that If the suggestion of "Con-
venence" would be carried out it would be a
good thing. Philadelphia may do it, but 1t can't
be done in Washington, ID. q. 1 think it would
be much better plan, and certainly one that
would be more of a convenience to the public for
tne railroads to transfer on each others lines as
they do in Baltimore, by the payment Of two or
three cents extra; but the same argument would
work against this plan that of s'Conve-
lence," but think it would be most likely 70
oe brought INTO operation, because in the plan
OF convenience the railroads would not be in
tne least benefited, but in the one i suggest
Iney would receive two or three cents for every
passenger transferred. But the chances are
ninety nine out of a hundred that neither plan
could ever be brought into operation for the
nication. ORseevrn