New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-15
CARRIERS SHOULD INSURE PASSENGERS

To the Edttor or The Tribune.
SIR: The recent accident at Parker's Creek
reminds people who travel on railways that their safety
from injury death depends in great measure on the
fathfuness Of railway officials and employ rs IN the dis
charge Of their duty II natural suppose tnat, il
greater responsibility were f.t by railway companies
and more serious consequences were incurred By them
in case OF injuries to passengers, the disasters due to
careessness and incOmpetency would be less frequent
Five persons their lives. sixty persons have been
injured The track has been repaired with new ties,
and spikes and plates have been used without stint,
that now hat part the track probably the safest on
the whole length Of the line The trains again and
the persons who them their safety TO those
tbaf died and were manned The accident due,
the Jury said to gross and culpable negligence"
As THE TRIBUNE observes eciorally, the victims
were not Door or obscure people having at least
rich relatives, and we may look TO see the Cor
opers verdict pushed 10 proper result IN court Of
nstice But $1,000 is the lIrgest amount that can De
recovered for LIE lost IL a railway aecideAL Would
not the general verdict be that the a OF Mr. Garrison
or OF any OF the victims worth more than 5000 To
the community their friends, leaving tue priceless
value OF friendship and affection out Of the question
But the average travcer-and lie is the considered
by the railway companies all pay the same price Tor
tickets-iOes have much money or many rich rea-
tves TO push claim for Injury or loss Of life one does
NOT often hear vcrdics u over $4,000 damages for
bodily injuries that amount being sort Of limit as
l.ib
the amount obtained would TO the counsel employed,
many persons would hesitate to sue for damages Many
peope have OF resOrting TO legal measures to
accomplish anything. Yet this average man. or the
poorest man would probably ask high price Us any
millionaire before parting with life or limb.
Think that remedy for the difficulty OF obtaining
damages from railway companies, as well as strong
incentive To safer management Of the roads, would be
found in a law which should compel the companies to
a.uc with every ticket coupon msuring the passenger
ran.t loss OF lie injuries any accident Tor wnlcl
and Inns should be placed III aDOut double Tue daa@es
that are now obtained The different eAsses OF INJURY
could IA. enutnera in the law aud denoted OIL the
coupon policy Class No l, etc. IN Orer ho1 10 maA1
Then. Of accluen the poor az wen
a. the could recover damages lor injuries, vi .e
heirs could FOR loss OF ne VIII no ioiS -i.
l. necessary To cash an iueurancc poucy coroheIS
ury 10 determine tae company Wac 10 Oialue, t"u OF
three pms scAns 10 determine WLAt cldS7 te 20
- IN and me proof having received TIE INJURY
b. an accident the railroad slouIu DC AZ ZIG Ao
ties necessary IN order 10 cash tne coupon az e
n,nyfs once Tnir system should Dc enforced on the
yated roads with the insurance coupons under their
ewes the panes would realize that tney were carry
ing more valuable relght nan ea t, -VI "v4o ~
necessarily be grIeyOus Dufueh OF tae away Ool-
names SO accidents, no dalnAEeH9 huen, toVi noto
people would the railway . esleelsy INC eis 49,
roads II they positive that II lJire Ihey nOu re-
cei vs. nancy enough support theni anu Aeu lheit
families or heirs would nave thc NIUE VI
enough money TO keep them from want Ihe ralI"ays
,i5 mi nse by such a Law. Lawyers and travellers
insurance companies might The PuDhc "ouu gam Dy
II IN the way OF fewer casuahtes sIeAseL ioes VI
te,X ana a init cation OF the caused when some
49,. .inner A, ked injured Freight, goods ~ eX-
rss even telegraph messages are insured ~ Oil OF lad
ing receipt agreement IN some way 80 uat slisidc
torv rrcDupense Dc had IN Gu o any uNAse Ut ue
49, an ~ tne negligence VI tho company. 10 not
hnman life well worth OIL Vi l4InE as SEE %
flour II there are more ralsay - ,,i
c.tsd can he na.se1 g H. e.
keb- 0rk, July D, lso%