New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-24
NOT ACCIDENT, BUT MdNSLA o"" ''''


NOT ACCIDENT, But MANSLAUGH1hH'
The list Of victims of the Parkville disaster
grows longer from day to day and the respoh-
sibility of the Long Island Railway Company
heavier. The immediate cause OF the wreck
has not vet been disclosed, and possibly may
rot no discovered at all, inasmuch as the con-
fusion and contradictions which always ensuc
in such cases are more tnan usually oo', "''"7
in this instance. But there seems 10 DC n0
doubt whatever that the conditions uhder "n'oh
the company has been operating this D"SS
branch line are Of such n Kind aS TO facili1a'e
disaster. If any other consideration than Sor
did economy induced the company to keep III
usc = tunnel so narrow that two standard tracks
could not run through it, but had to be con-
vor,cd nto one track by switches at that point
the fact has not appeared. such a 1cVicc
undor the most favorable circumstances would
be suspicious and undesirable; but in this case
the circumstances are especially unadapted 10
the employment Of makeshlit arrangement.
Tho traffic is enormous at times, and ali the
more difficult to handle because it is irregular
and of peculiar kind. To transport impatient
crowds of racegoers made up in part OF care
perfect appliances and thorough methods are
absolutely essential. 1t has always been obvl.
Gus that the appliances OF the Coney lsahd
lines were inadequate, and it now appears that
the methods are extremely faulty.
In the first place the cars in common use are
so constructed as TO make accidents easy, and
there is never any attempt to put the least re-
st,aint upon the free will OF passengers They
swarm into the trains drawing up to receive
them. at the risk Of their lives, until every spot
where a foot can stand and hand cling Is
occupied and under these conditions OF us
comfort and insecurity are Whirlcd back To
town at a rate Of speed which would be quite
swift enough if every provision for safety had
been supplied If the tracks were perfectly
laid and guarded throughout, the danger to
individuals would still be great because OF the
crowdng and pressure but when to these RISKS
which passengers assume Voluntarily III a sense,
are added the perils Of that Parkyille trap, the
traveller must be Sanguine indeed whose com
posnre is not disturbed by the possibilities OF
the Journey. OF this narrow tunnel dependent
upon the mechanism of switches and signals
and the intelligence and fidelity Of those who
oporatc them. it is sufficient for the purpose
Of impaIting a vivid conception to say that the
necessity of dtching a train there, aS the least
Of two evils. is constantly Impressed upon the
mind, OF the operators, according TO statements
which have been deliberately made and which
thus far remain uncontradctcd.
l. will probably be said in behalf OF the com
pany that passengers insist on crowdlng the
train, 10 the extreme limit OF their capacity.
tanning the passages and steps and hanging
from every projection like bees from twie.
and that they arc the victims of their own folly
when they are sc.apol off or crushed under
tilted car TO be sure, they are impru!ent and
sclf-condcmucd. but this dos not eXculpatc the
Official, OF the rad. \ transportation company
i bound = protect traveller, a. far rs possible
a.Inst their own crcluliiy and clrc."'en"''
For thi, cXpr,>, purpO,c nlmcrou, devices are
employed and regulations RICHLY enforced on
every well managed railroad in the world. The
authority j. a complete rs the Obligation and
neither an am:ablc nor selfish inclination TO
let passengers please themselves il any excuse
for the liberation Of such conditions aS con-
SANITY prevail Throughout. the busy season Oh
numerous suburban routes. The investigation
If the Park,illc disaster ough, not only 10 fix
the immediate blame for that dreadful ,laugh-
ter. but also t. lead 10 the abandonment OF
poncy which holds human life cheap.