The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-29
A Newspaper, Not a Party Organ.
PROTECTION ON THE cARTRAcKs


Rapid transit by trolley through the
streets Of the city is not secured without
adding new danger to life and limb.
That is recognized. The liability is
accepted by the public which thus relieves
the street railroad company from cer-
tain measure nf responsibility.
But the public locks TO the railroad
company TO take oil reasonable measures
Cor its protection. 1t has right to expect
and demand that the company shall en-
ploy capable and prudent men TO run
ats cars and so conduct its service That
the danger to passengers and pedestrians
J,ali bc reduced to q minimum.
The city OF Providence has until re-.
gently enjoyed a remarkable immunity
rom casualty from the trolley cars, and
It Is creditable 20 the management of the
koad and to the skill Of it's employees on
}hs ears that, wa halieYn. every fatality
Shat has occurred is to be traced to causes
Tor which the railroad or it's employees
have not been responsible.
And. yet the question arises, cannot
lhe railroad company 60 step farther yet
and save the individual from his own
oct of carelessnesss
There is strong popular impression
that the company can do that very thing
and that IL is neglectful of it's duty II 1t
fails TO sc provide. Further, that the
public can demand of the railroad COM
pany to be thus protected, even from its
lack OF care.
Evidently tho Union Railroad Company
cannot be relieved Of responsibility for
accidents by demonstration that 1t
was not positively at fault II means may
30 provided that would prevent such acci
dent or reduce tho danger still further.
The law may findtt guiltless, but pub
lie opinion will hold 1t to strict ao-
countability II it has failed to aoopt
such devices and take such measures as
would have Increased the chances of sav-
tng life and limb where the pedestrian
and the car come together by an accident
for which neither is to blame
We do not feel that the Union Rail-
road Company is disposed to neglect any
measure that contributes to the safety and
comfort Of the people of Provideuce. it's
patrons and supporters.
Its managers are citizens OF Providence.
They are neither constituencies auto
Gratis nor narrow business men. They are
of the people whose interests they serve
That they feel keenly their responsibility
20 the public has been amply demon
strated. Aud evidently enough the most
ordinary business prudence dictates the
utmost care and concern for the welfare
of the patrons OF the road since damage
suits are costly even when successfully
defended.
The recent appalling accidents on the
road have aroused anew consideration Of
the question of fenders The public
recognizes that there are fender devices
that magnify the ordinary danger from
trolley car and that no fender can make
mp for u careless OF inexperienced motor
man. But there Is strong public feel.
ing that with the capable motormen
which run our cars proper fender car
but prove an additional security.
Meanwhile there are sections OF the
line notably where there are switches that
sbe danger is peculiarly threatening and
which seem 20 need either special mems
Of protection or especial caution on the
part Of the motormen in moving cars