St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-03
IMPERFECT = WITCHES.

A Correspondents Says the Rio Acci-
deaf Weuld NOT Have Occurred
Rsad the switch Been Automatic.
To the Editor of the Globe
In reference to the recent lamentable and
most tragic disaster on the Chicago. Milwau-
kee d st. Paul railway, would ike to suggest
one or two points, which, at least, do not ap-
pear to have occurred to any of the indi
viduals whose reports of the tragedy have
been published. All correspondents agree
unanimously that the blame rests with the
brake man of the freight train. whose duty it
was to turn the switch, aud with the unfor-
tunate conductor, whose duty it was to see
that 1t was turned. L have no wish to gloss
over carelessness in matters OF life and death,
and just as far SIS their responsibility goes l
have no vinoicntion of these officials to offer.
Several reporters, however, mention, as an
incidental circumstance, that the danger
light of the switch could not be
seen from the main line until too late. on ac-
count of part of the freight train or other OBJ
stacle intervening. From the way in which
this TACT is alluded to should gather that the
position OF Ne light was a special arrange
ment OF the Almighty, or an abstract prnci-
pie, like the attraction of gravitation, or the
revolution of the earth upon its axis. Perhaps
some OF your readers who are familiar with
the circumstances can inform me whether
this was the oase or whether the switch
light was placed in this odd position by human
agency; and if so, for what purpose? Are
these switch-lights intended for ornament, or
to provide a mild pyrotechnic display rs a
kind of side show for the diversion of roast
ing passengers? Or are they designed 10 act
as safeguard in the event of
just such negligence as that which
led to the disaster in question? If the latter
object is cont emplSted in their use, why was
this light not elevated (f need be, as high as
the Tower of Babel) SO as 10 be visible, in
spite of probable distractions, for distance
sufficient to allow effective use of the air
brake in case of emergency, instead of juggling
with life and death by erecting a dangerous
sign Il in such position as to be utterly USE
less when most needed for the purpose de-
signed? Apart from this the form of switch
used is continuance so primitive and clumsy
and unwarrHntaely dangerous that its use on
any passenger line is absolutely without ex-
cuSe in these days of reasonable mechanical
enlightenment. Even when properly adj
Justed each joint in the barbar-
Gus ARRANGEMENT forms at best
an ugly angle and a defective connection,
always unsafe under high rates Of speed. Had
this been the automatic switch which is uni
V& sally used in all other civilized countries,
l need hardly remind your engineering read
ers that the nanye of the wheel passing over
would have righted the points, and the ''lim-
tied would have glided to its destination as
smoothly and safely as If there had been no
forgetful brakeman, and no underground
switchlight within fifty miles of the spot
These suggestions may be useful beyond
helping TO distribute more fairly the blame
for the accident which is past; and question
Of more Importance ia whether there are not
Other points and other railways where it
would be polite attention to the travelling
public to correct similar defects of construc-
tion rather than toss the lives OF a multitude
needlessly into the hands of every chance
brakeman. the majority of whom. if l am
rightly informed, are of human origin. and
consequently not exempt from blunders
J. HORNBY BUTCHER.
Rice Lake, Wis, Nov. 2.