New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-01

Tho killing ~ two children and one man by
rrollcv-cars In brooklyn one day this week
gives occasion for calling attention 10 the fact
that the special Advisory Committee which
made report 70 Mayor Schicrcn on the subject
~ the trolley IN general few days ago laid no
emphasis ON the importance - employing only
competent aud experienced men To handle these
cars Since tn" recent strike collisions and
other accidents have been numerous, mainly no
doubt on account of the companies giving en-
uloymcnt 10 men not we'll qualified 10 perform
work that involves an inccSsant strain upon the
nerves and calls for tn" constant exercise ~
good Judgment II requires far more ability 10
manage m electric ear than 10 drive pick or
handle shovel. but the railroad companies
seem inclined 10 consider moiormen rs scarcely
better than ordinary labor"rs. What motorm"n
do is really skilled labor. and there i Il good
deal la be- said in favor II requiring them 10 be-
officially examined AMI licensed. just ~ no man
is allowed 10 take charge OF steam boiler nm
loss he has shown that he knows his business
and can run = boiler safely. II IS crrtainly time
that steps were taken 10 insure the employment
~ motormcn on trOlloycarS who understand
what is required of them. possess good Judgment
and do not got ratified by unexpected cmcr-
rcncics II is singular that the Advisory Com
mitic.. found nothing 10 say on this head
Some II The recommendations made by the
committee are excellent. The committee had
nothing 10 do with the recent strike, nor. al
,lougli it entered on It's labors about the time
the tic-up began, was its appointment occasioncd
by the troubles Of the companies with their ON
plov,s II is understood that the committee
made special haste with It's work in order 10
allow time for legislation AT this session in ease
any should h." deemed necessary. and this may
explain the apparent overlooking Of one phase
of the subject that was surely worthy ~ careful
consideration. The recommendation If an abso-
lutc limit Of speed To ten miles an hour through.
out the entire city cannot be- accepted rs Judi
clous seeing that Brooklyn embraces large
stretches OF vacant territory within which a
higher speed Is perfectly safe and is demanded
in the interest of people want rapid transit
Ii would appear wiser Ia define the territory
within which cars should not 90 faster than ten
miles an hour, and outside of those limits 10
permit "A higher speed.
The other principal recommendations Of the
committee are that ears must come 10 halt
before crossing main thoroughfarcs on which
there are cartracks, and that "all cars should be
provided with reliable Tenders. which should
'bc approved by Il commission Of experts"
The fender question promises to prove trouble
some and il may be doubted whether a fender
can be found which will serve the purpose for
which II is intended every time il is brought
into use. The need of better tenders than are
provided at prcscnt-and some of the lines have
none now In iisc-is obvious, but only the Icyis
la,urc, we understand has the power 10 make
and enforce any requirement on this point. 4
careful examination of this question ought 10 be
made at an early day The importance Of bring
ing cars To Il stop before crossing other tracks
has been shown by many accidents. especially
since the beginning of the strike. Other recon-
mcndations made are good. but less Imperative
The keeping of passengers off the front plat
forms will make for safety by preventing any
distraction of the motOrmcn from their duties
No argument is needed 10 show that cars should
on general principles have the right OF way over
other vehicles The committee Is right I'm de-
nouncing the present ovcrcrowdng Of the ears
as indecent and a fruitful source OF Incon
vcnicncc, delay and danger