The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-26
From the Interstate Commission.

Governor Thomas has received the fol
lowing circular from the interstate com
merce commission under date of May Il:
1.-THE large number Of accidents 10 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 appliances, have led many
states to make the mechanical features of
railroad working the subject Of statutory
regulation II is well known. however,
that in respect to some at least of these
features, the conditions are such that regu-
Jation if attempted can neither secure ad-
Y e1uate benefit to the public nor be Just to
the railroads themselves, unless it be
uniform over the whole country.
In view of this fact and of the request Of
the railroad commissioners of the country,
as embodied IN resolution adopted at their
recent convention, the interstate commerce
commission desires to call out as full in
formation as possible upon the question of
Federal regulation of safety appliances on
railroads. The following matters seem to
be of especial Importance, but 1t IS not in
tended to restrict the discussion to them:
The history in each state of safety
appliance legislation. How far such legis-
latioa has been enforced. What have been
the means used to enforce it, what OBJ
staeles have been met with What the
general effect has been.
2-What is the present condition regard
ing automatic couplers. What prospect
there is of a uniform and safe coupler
coming into use. What progress the stand
ard coupler, adopted by the Master Car
Builders association, is making, and what
is the attitude of railroads towards il.
3-What progress there is in the use of
train brakes on freight cars. Nnett err
such progress is satisfactory, viewed as d
of n
what extent freight trains are run without
the necessity of brakemcu traVersing the
tops of cars.
What is being done TO introduce safer
methods of heating and lighting passenger
cars.
5-What is the state of affairs respecting
other safety devices.
6-Whether legislation looSiu toFederal
regulation of these matters or any OF them
is desirable and what the reasons are Tor
and against such regulation.
What such Federal regulation, ii any
be desirable, should attempt to accomplish
in regard to couDlers; in regard to train
brakes; in regard to car heating and light
ing; in regard TO other matters. What its
provisions should be upon each of these
points
S-If Federal legislation De expedient
what special administrative agencies. if
any. should be provided to carry it out
Whether Federal inspection should be at
tempted. and TO what extent and how
Whether board should be created after
the analogy of the steam boat inspection
service. If So how suca board should be
constituted in regard to the number and
character of its members; what its powers
and duties should be: what its connection
with other branches Of administration.
The commission believe that justice 10
railroad employees and to all others con
cerned requires that this matter receive
thorough consideration AMI trusts that you
viii be able to give it imm date and care
ful attention.