Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1897-05-26
KILLED ON THE RAIL
LAST YEAR THERE WERE $40 DEATHS
BY RAILWAY ACCIDENTS

Broken and Spread Rails Prolific Cause
of Observation-Disclosures Were Numer.
ous-Defects In the American System of
Collecting Information.
Of the 1857 accidents reported dur.
ing 1896, 792 were derailments, 514
collisions and 81 were of miscellane-
GUS nature. Of the derailments, 7S re-
suited from defects of road, 1873 from
defective equipment, GO from negli
gence in operation, LAG from unforeseen
distractions and 314 from unexplained
causes. Those resulting from defects
of road were caused In 26 instances by
broken rails, in 16 cases by loose or
spread rails, and in 8 others by broken
bridges or trestles. Broken axles caused
"a accidents ascribed to defective euuip.
ment. Derailments due to negligence in
operation resulted from misplaced
switches in 20 cases. Unforeseen OBJ
structions were accidental in 26 in
stances, malicious in 28, caused by ami.
mails in "a, by washouts in 23, and by
snow or ice in 8. OF the collisions, 22S
were from the rear. Other accidents
were due to the following causes: Ex-
plosions, 10; broken parallel or con.
Meeting rod, 6; cars burned while in
motion, A; various breakages Of rolling
stock, ~; other causes, IA.
The notable disasters of the year oc.
CURED at Atlantic City and Logan, La.
Seven passengers lost their lives in the
accident on small road in Arcata,
CAL, last September. In October 2 were
killed in collision at Windsor Springs,
Mo. Altogether 1873 passengers were re-
ported killed during 1896, which is 80
more than those killed the year preyi-
Gus. The whole number killed, includ-
ing passengers, employees and Others, is
$40. Total number killed during 1895
was 415. Total number injured last
year was 1897; the year previous,
1,535. By far the greater proportion Of
all accidents reported during the last "a
years have been derailments.
These have been fewer, however, dur
ing the last year than in 1895, when
$40 were reported. Two years before
that Gin 1899 1,212 occurred, which
was the largest number reported during
single year. Broken and loose or
spread rails have been the chief causes
of accidents occurring the last "a years
attributed to defects in road
The American system of collecting
statistical information respecting rail
way accidents is SO incomplete as to
render untrustworthy much available
information. Many minor casualties &C.
curing in remote territories, it is prob
able, are never reported at all, and the
conclusions arrived at by coronerss
juries are regarded with suspicion BY
those desiring impartial testimony con.
corning subject of general interest and
farreaching importance. Although rail-
road commissions of various states sup
ply additional data, such bodies are
generally composed of politicians, most
OF whom are not qualified to deal win
the technical aspects of the subjects
considered, even if they were without
bias III the matter. For these reasons "
is impossible to trace the origin III
many important though Frequently
recurring accidents with scientific ex
actness. but the advantages of having
good railway material obtainablo al
reasonable rates will be obvious to any
one familiar with the condition of nu'
merous small roads.
In England the board Of trade at reg
Mar intervals issues tabulated stare
ments, giving full information MS to ,nd
nature of accidents occurring on tns
various roads in the United Kingdom
These are thoroughly accurate and arc
accompanied by reports from inspectlns
engineers of the railway department
concerning the cause and extent u
every accident. Such investigations,
therefore, are conducted by Thoroughly
experienced men, who are appointed io'
life and are prompted by no other mo-
tive than desire to get at the facts IL
each case. Railroad Gazette.