New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
ELECTRIC rRAcrIoN,S DANGERS.

There were two accidents on the electric roads
in Brooklyn last week, one fatal and the other
nearly so. Both strongly suggest the peril to
which the residents of that borough con-
stantly subjected. In case a collision oc-
Cured between trolley cars at a grade crossing
in consequence Of the physical exhaustion of
sick motorman. The motorman on the other
car discovered the situation promptly and in
creased his speed. But for this action a dozen
lives might have been lost and scores of per-
sons seriously injured. Here is a source of
danger that has not been fully recognized, but
against which better provision is required No
steam locomotive drawing a passenger train is
permitted to start upon its journey with less
than two men III the cab. If anything happens
to the engineer the fireman takes charge and
brings the train to place of safety. No ferry
boat crosses North or East River without sim
liar precaution. The motorman of trolley car
often has the lives of fifty sixty people in
his care. but he is just liable to drop dead at
his post from heart disease or some other
foreseen cause as is railway engineer or a
ferry pilot. The recent great increase in the
size of trolley cars makes 1t impossible for the
conductor to go to the rescue. Hence a second
motorman should be provided for such emer-
gencies, particularly on elevated roads. The
people of Brooklyn would do well to take this
matter to Albany when the Legislature next
meets.
The other accident last week was caused by
the third rail. boy who was walking along
the track Of the old Brighton Beach steam road
(now operated by electricity touched both the
supply and one of the return rails simultane-
ously. and was killed by the shock. The fact
that he was technically trespasslng on private
property relieves the company of some of the
responsibility for this particular mishap. But
the case directs attention to other WAYS In
which the third rail is n menace to life. The
Oretically, no one but the employees of the COM
pany are allowed to walk along the track either
of the elevated road or the inclosed leased lines
And 1t is assumed that the employees are warned
of the danger. Even so, however, they are en-
titled to better protection than they now enjoy
National law compels the great steam roads
of the country to equip their cars with safety
couplers in the interests Of the brakemen Why
should not the same principle be applied to cleo
trio roads that use the third rail?
But that is not the worst of ii. score of
other people exposed to this peril for every
one employed. Frequently during the last six
or eight months this story has been told: A fuse
blows out a train is brought to a stop between
stations several more trains come up behind
soon afterward, and n blockade ensues which
delays five hundred to one thousand passengers
Aside from the mere inconvenience of arriving
late at ones place of business, Brooklyn people
have learned to anticipate from these accidents
the partial burning of the from disordered
electric apparatus, rear end collisions or
both. Thus they are impelled to rush from the
cars to the track and try to walk to the nearest
station. In doing they are liable TO be
pushed from the elevated structure to the street
below In consequence of panic and jostling, or
else to come In contact with the third rail Not
merely the companys employees. therefore but
the whole travelling public also should be safe
guarded against fatal injury from the latter
source. This object can be attained in several
ways The rail might be laid in the middle of
the track. instead of on the side Upright