Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-08
rIrTsEURG, WEDNESDAY. JULY 5, 1871


TIE dcpl0rahie collision at Forbes and
Atwood street yesterday emphasizes in a
startling manner a necessity as TO street
traffic in PittShurg which, indeed, mere
-ljnce at the condition of things reveals
10 Uhe most casual observer. While the
facilities for rapid transit to all parts of
the two cities are a distinct boon, they
must he regulated with due regard for hu-
man life Constant menace to life and
limb occurs at the intersections of the cable
and electric lines. Within the narrow
compass Of the business part of the town
there are 81 many Sucn intersections that,
even ~ the lower rate of speed for the
downtown districts, it frequently takes
cool head and steady foot for the pedes-
trian to run the gauntlet unhurt. But the
most serious danger is from collisions
between cars Of different lines going at
high rate of speed in the suburbs Sew
pral accidents of this type-the worst of
which happened yesterday-should COM
p.l preventive measures at once: and we
are glad to see that the Council Committee
of Public Safety Yesterday promptly de-
gidrd to recommend action of the right
sort
The Committee proposes that hereafter
a car upon any line shall come to a full
stop at each point where another line in
JtrSects. If this be done no collision can
occur II is essential that Just this should
ha done and nothing less. Experience
now has sufficiently shown that
the motions of fiagman or
policeman TO the approaching cars
cannot be depended upon. In some cases
they are liable to be misunderstood: in
some to he willfully disobeyed. The flag
man at Forbes and Atwood yesterday
appears by all the reports to have done
his duty: vet the collision occurred none
the less. Let an ordinance make stoppage
at such intersections compulsory in every
instance, and motormen and gripmen will
then know that if they proceed without
first seeing the road is clear they will do
So at the risk of willful manslaughter.
As for the other crossings, where pedes-
-rian traffic is thick, they should be eff
cicnuy guarded by policemen; and the
Committee of Safety is right in requiring
that the roads should defray the cost of
this protection. If not directly, then by
license ices for their cars.
New conditions have arisen from the
cable and electric lines These lines are
of iueStimable value. But there is not the
slightest necessity for the sacrifice of
single life, or even Of a limb, if sure pre-
cautions are made the infiexible rule
Travel may. indeed doubtless will, be de-
l8yed more and more in the business part
of the city by these stoppageS as the pop
ulation in that congested district increases.
But delay Is better than destruction. We
see no remedy for such delay until the city
does what it should have done long ago,
VIZ: cut down the hump and give business
and the public chance to spread out upon
The large area beyond the Court House
Sooner or later we will have TO come to
this. Meanwhile safety for life and limb
Is the first consideration, and must strictly
control the running Of the street cars.
Such ordinances as the Committee on
Safety discussed yesterday should be
promptly prepared and passed.