Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
COlOr-BlindneSs.

To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 It would be difficult to conceive of legis- lative act more ridiculously unjust toward any profession or body of citizens, as we'll as corporation rights, than the act of our State Legislature respecting color-blindness in rail way employees. Not only individual rights disregarded, but to enforce this act is to jeopardize public interests for the benefit of some over-zealous scientists ambition. We may pass by brakemen and baggage men, not because their grievances are less, but simply because in passenger train movements they are complete cipher, for the air brake, with which all Connecticut railroads are pro- vided, places the train wholly under control of the engineer Moreover their places could be filled by men capable of passing the scien- tifc test and not necessarily to the detriment of the public veal. Not so with engineers and switchmen, however and to these men this theoretical test is outrageously unjust The safety of thousands Is daily placed in their hands therefore the importance of their practical ability cannot be overestima- ted Yet does any one but Doctor Jeffries Cor his followers) pretend that man $ ina bility to correctly match delicate shade of orange or violet, to distinguish three eighths inch letter at twenty feet, disqualihes him for duty as an engineer? Are the rail road companies to be compelled to dispense with the services of men who have served J misunderstood signal because they are not ''water color' artists: Can the public afford to weigh the chances of accident in the bal ance with such men against promoted fire men or green engineers, wholly unacquainted with the bridges, crossings, curves, grades and tunnels It would be just consistent to demand an engineer to qualify in meta physics, astronomy or theology as in this color test. What does the State expect for ninety dollars month If the people de- mand practical test, why not instruct the Railroad Commissioners to take the necessary steps to secure one? Let an officer appear suddenly at some dark, unfrequented spot on the road and show an engineer red signal. When it is seen he has interpreted this correctly, suddenly change it to white That would not only be a practical test, but would demonstrate whether or not an engineer was clear sighted and on the alert for danger. Our Legislatures fail ure to appreciate what is necessary to cor rect and practical system of railway signals, and intelligent comprehension of the same, IS shown by the fact that this absurd measure does not necessitate the examination of divis- ion masters, the importance of whose sight outweighs that of conductors, brakemen and baggage masters combined. For instance, suppose train is running north and showing & red flag Cor light on the locomotive, which signifies an extra following-red and green signifying a train in the opposite direction. Suppose & division master does not distin- glish the green and wafter waiting reasonable time for an extra from the south, puts out a flag in that direction and proceeds to remove rail, or do some similar work? Would brakeman's or baggagemaster's eyesight be likely to prevent an accident to that train coming south The Massachusetts Railroad Commissioners, after subiecting railroad em- ployes to more practical examination, not only reported that no legislation was necessa- ry in the matter, but clearly, though court eously, intinnated that Dr. Jeffries had, in his scientific zeal, greatly overestimated the i'm portance of the matter. And your core spondent is confident that Connecticut rail road officials are not likely to dispense with the services of tried and trusted men in obe- dience to the mandates of this most idiotic act of our last Legislature.
 AN EAfPLoYE.