Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-11
SATURDAY. OCTOBER IL, 1890
Strent-Car Accidents.

That the management of the Richmond
street-railway lines is in the hands OF
humane and considerate gentlemen is
certain, and we know it must be great
grief 70 them 10 think that within short
space of time two persons have been killed
by their cars.
In each instance the victim was RESPONSE
bic for his own undoing, and died violating
arule that all the travelling public ought
30 know and observe. But the fact Is
thousands and tens of thousands of the
people who patronize street-cars are so
reckless or hasty that they cannot provide
for their own safety. and must be looked
after by the companies, else be killed by
scores.
One fourth Of those who habitually ride
do not hesitate 90 get on or off before
stop is made. Hundreds have been more
or less injured by the practice, but still it
continues. Probably nothing that the
companies can do will put q complete stop
to IL, but every possible precautionary
measure ought to be taken. Gates should
be placed on all closed cars and rails on
all open ones. so that il will be well-niGh
impossible for any excited or foolhardy
passenger to jump upon the track of the
cars going in the opposite direction.
These guards should be put up at once
that is, to-day. Already many cars have
been so equipped. All should be. Ropes,
wires. or boards can be used temporarily.
In Albany, n. Y. and many other cities
all electric cars have these gates. We sup
pose that experience such as Richmond
has had recently moved them to adopt
these safeguards.
IL is 90 the interest of all companies TO
carry their patrons free from peril, and
we know that we can speak for those of
Richmond when we say they will not OBJ
ject to the small expenditure that will he
necessary 10 prevent further bloodshed,
but there should be no further delay in
the matter. Action, prompt action. IS re-
quired.
One reason that passengers get excited
and Jump off without looking where their
feet will fall is that often the eve of the con-
ductor cannot be caught and the signal |
bell arrangements are bad. This is GER
tainly true with respect TO the open cars, /
and il is a nuisance which tho public has /
most patiently borne.
II is impossible that a conductor should /
always be where passengers can beckon
him, and nobody asks or expects this, but 1t
isnot impossible 10 put in each car signal
rope which will be 80 different from the
register bell-rope that no one will hesitate
70 seize at.
Very often man who cannot on the in
slant secure the attention of the conduc-
tor, and who does not know which bell
cord 10 grasp, will in sheer desperation leap
from the car. If he lands in front of
horse he may be badly wounded; II he de-
sends under street-car moving IN an OPP
poste direction he is pretty sure to be
killed. So we want not only guard-gates,
but easily distinguishable bell-cords. Let
the signal-cord be white, green, red, or
yellow. OF of some color or material by
which il will soon become known.
Another thing; the cars must have
pilots-good substantial ones that Will
shove a mans body off the track.
All of these things OF course will cost
money, but they must be regarded as ne
cessary expenditures. Better the invest
ment of q thousand dollars for these inn
proyements than to have another person
hurt