The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-06
AIR BRAKES ON FREIGHT TRAIN
RAILROADS WANT MORE TINE IN
WHICH TO PUT THEM ON.

The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion to Hear Applications Dec. 1
for An Extension of Time In
which All Trains Must BE Equip
ned-EmpIoyes VIII Oppose Any
Extension of Time beyond Jan. /.
The Interstate commerce commission
will hear applications from railroad COM
NAMES on Dec. asking for further indul-
eence of time in complying with the pro-
visions of the act Of March 2, 1898, requir-
ing the railroads to supply their rolling
stock in the freight service, with certain
equipment for the safety of employees The
4 further time to be allowed, if any, rests
wholly with the commission, as the act
n fixes no Limitation as to extensions per-
mitted by that tribunal
The act provides that all roads engaged
6 in interstate traffic shall adopt the train
brake system, and that they shall equip
a sufficient number of cars that the en-
gineer can bring the train to a stop with
out having to call for the assistance of
the brakeman. 1t is also provided that
the cars shall be provided with automatic
FL
q ployes going between the cars in COUP
ling Another provision of the act is that
the cars shall be provided with hand-holds
on the sides to aid the employees in MAX
ing couplings. A standard hight for draw
bars is also required on all freight cars
g If any company provides its cars as the
8 act specifies, it can refuse to receive cars
q from any connecting line which has
8 failed 10 comply with the law by attach
ing the brake.
Each application for such extension of
time will be disposed of by the commits
sion on it's merits. OF the general neces-
sity for protective legislation of this char
acter there can be no question. The diff
4 ference in the danger to which railway
i passengers and railway employees are ex-
posed is very great. In the year 1898 the
total number of passengers carried on the
railroads of the United States was 5O7 421.-
1862. OF this vast number of railway trav-
elers only 10 were killed and 2.S75 injured
In that year 1,S11 railway EMPLOYEES were
killed and 1866 injured. One-third of the
employees injured were hurt in coupling
and uncoupling cars. There are risks in
4 separable from the hazardous occupation
of trainmen, but the inherent dangers of
1 the calling will be greatly mitigated, when
the availa BILE safety appliances are applied
to all freight trains
1t is understood several of the associ-
atoms of railway employees will be repre-
sented at the hearing on Dec. l. to op-
pose extensions of time beyond Jan. l. 1885,
unless good cause is shown by the com
panies for their inability to comply.
Mr.. James Menzies, assistant general
freight agent of the Plant system, is in
Jacksonville to attend the funeral of Mr.
F. s. Knight the late contracting freight
agent of the PLANT system at that point.
Vice President Egan of the Central rail-
road returned from Atlanta last night. He
was accompanied by General Superintend-
emit 7. D. Illine of the Central who had
been at Columbus.
Mr.. f. B. Papy general freight agent
of the Plant system, and Mr.. D. F. Jack.
freight traffic manager, are in Augusta
attending meeting of the conference
committee of the Southeastern Freight
Association.
Mr.. H. A. Dunn, auditor of the Central
railroad, will return Sunday from Topeka.
Kan, where he went to accompany his
family to this city, They will make their
future home in Savannah.
general manager of the Georgia and Ala
bama railroad, arrived in the city yester-
day. -
Mr. A. Pope, general freight and pas
senger agent of the Georgia and Alabama
railroad. was in the city yesterday on
business connected with that road.
Mr. Charles l.. Bruner, master of trains
of the Central railroad, was absent from
the city yesterday.
The shipments of cotton over the Georgia
and Alabama railroad into Savannah. are
now said to average about 1000 bales per
day. Most of these shipments come direct
from Montgomery.
The excursion of the employees of the
Plant system to the Waycross fair was
literally attended About twelve well
loaded coaches left the station at o'clock,
carrying large number of the employees
from the local offices, some of which were
completely deserted. Besides the crowd
which attended from this city, arrange
ments had been made to pick up all en-
ployes along the line, who might want to
attend There were trains to Waycross
from both Charleston and Sanford, Fla.
The Savannah special returned TO the city
at 8:95 last night.
The Florida Central and Peninsular rail-
road has made a special rate for the jack
sonville gala week festivities.