The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-04

A Comparison Between America and
Other Countries.

Mr.. franklin b. Locke contributes nn
article TO the May Century on Railway
Crossings in Europe and America" the paper
being fully illustrated.
With the casualties that are properly classi-
fed as due to grade ecrossings are generally
included accidents to trsspassers-t is, to
persons who attempt to cross or walk at
grade upon the lines between the prescribed
crossings. This class of accidenta forms
large factor in the sum total of deaths and in
juries, and great care Is taken by the foreign
companies TO protect the public in this par
ticular. Fully one-third Of all the accidents
to persons On the English roads belong to this
class: and while it 10 generally regarded that
these accidents are the result of carelessness
on the part of those who take the risks Of en-
tering upon the lines, IL Is, nevertheless,
noticeable that no reasonable precautions are
neglected. In America, as n whole, scarcely
any provision Is made for preventing this
class of accidents.
In tho state of Massachusetts alone there
are about half as many deaths from this
causs as In the whole OF Great Britain and
Ireland, and during the last fifteen years
nearly one-half Of all the fatalities upon the
railways In that state lave been of this class.
BY averaging the fatalities occurring in Great
Britain and Germany. and comparing with
the average for Massachusetts and Connect
cut, the proportion.is Is about as even to one in
favor of the foreign countries. Certain classes
OF accidents are now almost unknown in Ger
many. Accidents TO pedestrians at road
crossings or to passengers from crossing the
tracks at stations are hardly possible at the
present time. Any one attempting to walk
upon the track is sire TO be stopped. and
very severe penalties are imposed for any de-
fance of the orders OF an employe.
In this connection. o fow broad comparisons
are worry significant. In the city of Buffalo for
instance, it was reported,'a few years ago.
that 81 fatalities occurred at grade crossings
in eighteen months. being two more than tho
number reported for the whole Of Germany
for the previous five years. Again, In tho
report of the terminal commission to the
mayor and Common Council of Chicago, 1t
was stated that over two hundred people lost
their lives at the grade crossings In that city
in 1891. This Is nearly rs many fatalities as
occurred In the whole Of Great Britain and
ireland from the same cause during the sue
ceeding Ave years. These figures seem to in
dicate that these two cities afford from three
to ave times rs many fatalities of this class
as the whole Of Crest Britain and Ireland and
Germany mbincd.
Generally speaking. the objections to grade
crossings were clearly foreseen in England,
and the remedies were applied In the cities
when the railways were established. in the
country districts there are still consider
able number Of grade crossings. They are by
no means 80 numerous. however, as on con-
tinentsl lines. Under the regulation OF rail-
ways acts, 1868 and 1871. penalty Of forty
shillings Is provided for the offence Of enter
ing or being upon railway. except for the
purpose of crossing the same at some author
lied crossing. IL Is provided. however. that
the offending party shall nrst have been
warned by the agents of the company. This
latter fact somewhat reduces tho efficiency OF
tho regulation, ss tits often difficult to give
satisfactory proof Of warning.