The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-31
Tp,,sa TO AsArE A BLOWING NU1-

TRYING TO ABATE BLOWING NUI-
practice Of sounding loco
motive whistles in cities is of very doubt
full expectancy. 1t may have some ben
efical tendencies, but the evil resulting
therefrom overbalance the good. Some
time ago the citizens living in the south
ern part of the city, along the line OF the
B. so. R. R., petitioned Council to
take some action to suppress the unnee-
esssry sounding of locomotive whistles,
and an ordinance was passed week or
so ago looking to that object. An i'm
portant step towards the abatement oil
the steam whistle nuisance has been
made in Massachusetts, which is ofinter-
est to us.
The railwaycommissioners Of that State
have formally investigated this subject,
giving careful attention to the testimony
and arguments of complainantS who de-
sire to restore quiet to disturbed neigh
borboods. avert the torture of the sick and
prevent the numerous accidents and
deaths caused by horses being frightened
and also the representations Of railroad
managers. The important conclusions
arrived at are thus summarized:
"The whistle is now commonly used
for four purposes: First, rs precau-
tionary warning against possible dan
ger: Second, to inform railroad hands at
stations or crossings of the approach OF u
train; Third, as a direction for night
movements; Fourth, as II strict danger
SIGNAL. The first use, the commissioners
saw, is wholly unnecessary, since persons
who walk OH the track are violators OF
the law, and by the frequency of the sig
mails their warning is misunderstood
The second use is similarly con
demned, since bells can be made
to serve the same purpose in ordinary
cases, and at dangerous crossings hagmeI
and gates should always be provided
The electric signal is also mentioned a:
an admirable substitute. As train sigma
the commissioners say that the Use of the
whistle continually degenerates intoabuse
the introduction of the train brake having
obviated its necessity on passenger trains
except as a danger signal, and its us'
on freight trains being necessary only
in limited degree. As danger sigma
the commissioners admit the importance
of the whistle but point out that its us'
as such is only impaired by the promlS
cuous signals for other purposes, an'
they add: AT present it may well b'
questioned whether, in its effect on inva
lids and horses, the whistle AS nov
used does not occasion greater loss ever
of human life than would enSuc from
its total suppression on all 10
connective engines. In conclusion thu
commissioners recommend to all railroad
corporations the disusc of the whistle
within the limits of the city of Boston ant
other crowded neighborhoods on thel
lines of roads, except in the strictly nee
essary management of freight trains anc
as A. signal of danger and refer to thu
successful test which the Boston and AL
bany railrod has made of automatic sig
mails as an easy means of complying Will
their suggestions
These suggestions are recommended t.
the consideration of the railroad compa
MES that enter this city. The abatemcnl
of the steam whistle practice would b
hailed with general delight by persons
residing along railroads, and those VIII
are obliged to drive near or over tracks