The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-18
FOR PROTECTION TO LIFE AND LIMB.
LaborIng Men Asked to Suggest Reg
uIatlons for the Railroads.
The Interstate Commission Opens
a New Field OF Work.
Other Matters Telegraphed From
the National Capital.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Interstate
Commerce Commission has issued circu-
lar addressed to the labor organizations Of
the country soliciting information and dis
cussion upon the question Of Federal regula-
tion of safety appliances on railroads. The
letter reads as follows:
The large number of accidents to employees and
passengers occurring on the railroads Of this
country and the public belief that great part of
these might be avoided by the use OF proper ap-
pliances have led many States to make the me
chanical features of railroad working the subject
OF statutory regulation. 1t Is well known however,
that in respect to some at least of these features
tempted, can neither secure adequate benefit TO
the public nor be just to the railroads themselves
unless 1t be uniform over the whole country. In
view of this fact and of the request of the rail-
road commissioners of the country, as embodied
In resolution adopted at their recent convention
the Interstate Commission desire to call out as
full Information and discussion as possible upon
the question OF Federal regulation OF safety ap-
pliances on railroads. The following matters
tended to restrict discussion of them.
First-The history In each State of safety appli-
enforced? What have been the means used TO
enforce it? What obstacles have been met with
What the general effect has been.
Second-What is the present condition regard
ing automatic couplers? What prospect Is there
Of a uniform and safe coupler coming into use?
What progress the Standard coupler, adopted by
the Master Car Builders Association, is max
ing, and what is the attitude of railroads toward
it?
Third-What progress is there in the use of train
brakes on freight cars? Whether such progress
IS satisfactory viewed as a means of greater
safety to train men? To what extent freight
tIalns are run without the necessity of brakemen
trayerslng the tops of the cars?
Fourth-What is being done to introduce
safer methods Of heating and lighting passenger
cars?
Fifth-what is the state on affairs respecting
other safety devices?
Sixth-Mhether legislation looking to Federal
regulation Of these matters or any of them is de-
sirable, and what the reasons are for and against
such regulation.
Seyenth-What such federal legislation, II any,
be desirable, should attempt to accomplish in re-
gard to couplers; in regard to train brakes in
gard TO car heating and lighting; in regard to
other matters? What its provisions should be up
on each of these points?
Eighth-If Federal legislation be expedient,
what special administrative agencies, If any,
should be provided to carry it out? Whether
what extent and how? Whether a board should
be created after the analogy of the steamboat in
spection service? If so, how such board should
be constituted in regard TO the number and char
acter of its members. what its power and duties
should be, what its cannection with other
branches of administration? The commission be-
lieve that railroad employees and all others con-
cerned require that this matter receive thorough
consideration and trusts that you will be able to
give it immediate ard careful attention.