Evening journal., 1898-03-15
WAYFARER'S NOTE BOOK
Things, Pleasant and Unpleas-
ant, Caught on the Way.
sKITs ON PERSONS AND THINGS

If YOU READ THEM BEFORE SUP
PER THEY WILL AID YOUR d.
GESTION, BUT THERE IS MOTH
ING PUT IN THEM TO LULL YOU
TO SLEEP.
LITIGATION AND PROTECTION.
In these days when damage suits and
big verdicts are the fad, it is incum-
bent upon every railroad company to
carefully note all incidents connected
with any accident, no matter whether
It be serious or trivial. A man with a
mashed toe often gives a railroad COM
pany more trouble than the surviving
relatives Of a man who is killed.
Fear Of litigation has compelled the
railroad officials to perfect a system
whereby they can place on record for
Immediate or future use everything
connected with an untoward incident
on the rail-
For instance, several years ago the
Wayfarer was going toSaratOgawith the
Peninsula Press Association. From
New York to Albany the trip was made
over the West Shore road on train
functions a well-dressed and intelli-
gent-lOoking young German got
aboard. When about three miles be
yond the station he discovered his mis-
take and his excitement was increased
by the fact that his wife and children
were on another train and he had theiI
tickets. First he asked the brakeman
and the conductor to stop the train and
let him or They refused and en-
deavOred TO convince him that he
would be no better or for his train
had already left the junction. Tie
would not be convinced and they left
him.
Picking up his grip he walked 10 the
forward platform of the car. II was
hot Summer day and all the windows
were up. He waited until the train
which was making a forty-mile clip
was passing a nice green meadow, and
then he jumped. Everyone thrust his
head out OF the window expecting to
see the fellow killed Apart from the
seriousness of the situation II was a
most laughable sight. The poor fell
low went over and over five or six
times, and from his open grip apples
bananas and various toilet articles
were flying. Finally he stopped his
somersaults, then crawled TO his feet
llmped a step or two. and began pick
ing up his effects. That was the last
the passengers saw of him; but II was
not the last the railroad men ex-
pected to hear from him. They imme-
diately passed through the car taking
the names OF those who had overheard
the conversation and witnessed the
hazardous jump. Among the names
taken was that of the Wayfarer. This
was merely a precautionary step on
the part OF the railroad. The fellow
might sue for damages and the passen-
gers would be most valuable witnesses
10 use against him.
Railroads I'M this section are Just az
careful OF their interests. In case OF
accident printed forms are used in du-
plicate. They set forth the name, age
residence and occupation of the per
son injured, together with the nature
ana extent OF the injuries; what was
done with the person. injured; what
was said by the injured person, about
the cause OF the accident and the ex-
tent OF his or her injuries; the names
and residences OF those who were pres
ent and can give amy information rela-
tive to the accident, and the time
place, cause and circumstances. In case
OF wreck, the date, train, place, cause
engine or pusher number, names Of en-
gineman and fireman, conductor, flag
man or 'baggag age-master, and brakeman
are required, together with Particular
regarding damages to engines, cars
tracks, cost OF repairs, damage to ant
transfers Jf lading, amount OF ladin9
lost from each car and all other infOr
nation OF Importance
while the Wayfarer was in Broas
street station, Philadelphia, one nigh
recently, waiting for train for home
he was shown one Of the blanks II
question, and his attention was ca,le,
particularly by the trainman to tn
stipulated duties Of a conductor in al
such cases OF emergency, which wer
Bet forth as follows:
in all cases OF personal injury by O
on their respective trains, conductor
will Immediately make the inquire
which viii enable them TO furnish tn
information embraced in the abOY
points, and they will also in preparin
this report observe as closely as pOss
bic the following instructions, viz: !
paragraph nine, give the actual tim
of the accident, If possible; fix accr
rately the place at which ii Occurre,
h9 AtNlt NUN nlAhN NtOAAontiN ODJtll
If at a crossing, state the spot at whic
the person was struck and where picl
ed up-hxing the distances by station
airy objects; give detailed account I
the cause of the accident; If you thin
the person was injured by his ow
fault, state your reason for so thinl
ing; give any other information n.
furnishes by the requirements OF u
report. When information for this r
port is being collected. draw the attel
tion of the train-hands to the facts,
order that they may be able to testi
TO them of their own knowledge Whe'
ever distance from a point is TO be r
ported, call the attention to the fact
those who will have to testify theret
so that the statements may be acc
rate, and report the names of such pc
sons. State how far the coming ira
that caused the accident can be sc,
from the point where it occurred. Sta
who heard the whistle blow or the b
ring and why they remember
Wherever possible, the names, a
dresses and statements Of persons n