The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-08-28
The Greatest Army In the World.

lUC dTeuLtSJ AfHuy Ill tNc NUII Ius
There is in this country the greatest
army in the world-not q standing army,
but a constantly moving body of 700, 600
men, who march and countermarch day
and night through heat and cold from
years end to years end. Every year
they have 1000 killed and 20,0 900 wound
ed. One man in 357 lost his life last
year, one in every thirty.fve was wound.
ed, aud the total loss by the operatives of
the army was 1888 killed and 25,309
wounded. Upon the soldiers of this
army three millions of our people depend
for their living, and but for the continu.
ance of their operations, the whole coun.
try would be uuder blockade. One
months inaction along the whole line
would leave tue country in a state OF
siege and cause bread riots in every city
in the land. This is the greatest army
in the world, and its soldiers are the
railroad employees of America.
In spite of their great service to the
country, in spite of their ceaaeless toll
day and night, there has been no general
movement on the part of the people for
the relief of these soldiers. In time OF
war the whole nation glori6es the soldier
and the taxpayers are burdened with
pension rolls for half century after
wards; but for this grand army, fighting
in time of peace, knowing not heat nor
cold, Drawing danger and warring with
elements for the commerce of the coun.
try, there is no reward beyond the ordi-
nary lot of men.
They have asked nothing more, but
they do ask, and they have right to
ask, for government inspection OF the
reckless methods by which such enor-
nous loss of life and limb is brought
abont.
It is of no avail to call attention to the
vast business of the country and the great
number of railroad employees when the
statistics show that the mortality on
American railways is more than twice as
large as it is on those of Great Britain
and France. Here there is annually one
death for every 957 employees; there, one
for every S75. Here one in thirty. FIVE is
wounded Z; there, one in 1853. There is
some difference in the circumstances.
The longer average haul on American
railroads undoubtedly makes it 8 more
difficult matter to keep down the NOR.
tality; but an inspection OF the tables
furnished by Secretary Adams in the
third annual report of the Interstate
commerce commission shows that the
greater part of the trouble is due to
Causes which may be removed. OF the
1872 deaths of employees last year, 7oS
were due to coupling cars and falling OFT
trains, 167 to collisions, sixty, i've to
overhead distractions and 125 to derail-
ments, making 1850 deaths resulting
from causes which might, in large meas
ure, be prevented by high.class rolling
stock, good road beds and perfect discip-
line.
The uniformity of gauge, leading to
uniformity of equipment, which renders
possible the general adoption of safety
appliances in coupling and other work,
promises a great reduction of mortality
and bodily injury. In this connection,
Mr.. Adams significantly remarks:
"The gauges of 4 feet 81 inches and
feet 9 inches, inclusive, are now used BY
1871 roads, representing 93.3 per cent of
the total mileage. The three-foot track
in 1889 was used by 234 companies, rep
resenting 6 per cent of the total mileage
of the country. Itthus appears that over
50 per cent of railway mileage in the
United States is adjusted to what, TOR al
practical purposes, may be regarded as
two gauges of railway. This fact is sig
nifcant for two reasons. 1t shows, first,
that the railways of the United States
are being welded, by the need of inter.
change traffic, into q system, SO TAR at
least as conditions of operation are con.
cerned. And in the second place, 1t
| indicates movement towards uniformity
| in physical conditions, which, working
its way into uniformity of structure OF
cars, will do something to remove obsta.
cles that thus far have defeated all
attempts to bring certain safety appll'
ances into general use..
This ia q consummation degoutly to be
wished, and will be as gladly welcomed
by railroad managers as by the humane
public; for back of the humane feelings
| this intelligent class of men possesses IN
common with other respectable people,
| lie their pecuniary interests, which de:
mand q reduction of damage fees and
costly litigation.
The report above referred to brings
out fact at once gratifying and instruc..
tive. Since the advent of the railroad
commission Georgia has been one OF the
leading states in railroad development:
This report shows that she was second
among the States in railroad building last
wear. California came first with 5S6
miles, and Georgia followed 49S. Color.
ado came third with 451, Texas fourth,
with 446, and Michigan fifth, with 4SS.
Ola total increase of 1857 miles in the
United States, the twelve Southern States
report 2, 423 miles. Both the west and
the south are far ahead of the middle
and New England States, and Georgia
shows more railroad building than any
two Southern States. This approximate
" has been the report from Georgla's
railway building since she established 8
commission to regulate freight and pas
senger fares, and it shows the truth OF the
remark of the chairman of the commis-
sion that State legislation benefited the
roads because it inaugurated a just
policy which makes for their permanent
prosperity, while railway management,
independent of regulation, is often direct.
ed to give a speculatian value to the
stocks, by policy Immediately swelling
the dividends, though in the long run it
Kills the goose that lays the golden egg.
Under the just rates Of the commission
the State in large and small towns and
country has prospered, and each years
reports furnish new evidence that 8 well.
conducted railroad commission is the
best protection for both the people and
the bona fde investors in railroad stock.
atlanta Constitution.
A Terrible Cyclone.