The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-24
FROM THE PEOPLE
LESSONS FROM THE ACCIDENT
on THE 8. & I.

Christopher. King County. May 10. 1900
To the Editor-From the reports pub
lished Of the above and the inquest, 1t
would appear the coroners jury have de-
cided to leave the reason for the accf-
dent to be discovered elsewhere. The
public and employees are justly entitled
to a thorough and scientific examination.
If possible. to ascertain. first, the cause,
and. secondly. to know If there has been
any negligence; third, how to prevent a
reoccurrence. The reports given have.
and will continue, I believe, to raise sew
eral important questions to be deter
mined. and in all fairness to the family
of the greatly respected deceased engi-
neer. the injured employees. and the trav
cling public as we'll as the railway COM
pany, should be determined.
Where is the inspectors report of the
last examination a few days before. when
found perfect? Is he competent to pass
Judgment? Or Is he OF the quality of the
pilot of the steamer that not long ago
cut another vessel in two near Tacoma?
Did he test the DETECTION of the bridge
scientifically when under strain of traf-
fic? If so, what did It show? II this
bridge has been built twelve years, how
far and to what extent had the DENTS
been renewed? And to what extent and
nature had repairs been executed? How
many accidents have occurred recently
on this same bridge. damaging its con-
strucdon, and to what extent?
No doubt the company will not care for
these and many other questions being
carefully gone into but inasmuch as It
was one of the strongest OF Its kind. the
public and the employees are entitled TO
a full, true and plain reply. and the com
pany ought willingly to furnish the re-
plies. for ut was in good order"
Another great question for considera-
ton now is how to prevent a REPETITION.
and IL this can be settled and acted upon,
much good will result, and one life sac
rifced may save many others.
The government exercises considera bic
care In marine travelling. They have Of
ficers whose sole duty Il Is to see to
vessels being in sound and safe condi-
ton before they are permitted to oper-
ate, and the men in charge must be duly
certified as competent by these officers
to perform the duties OF their office or
the vessel cannot sail nor the officers
take their stations.
Then why should not railroads and
their inspectors be under the same con-
troll? The travel on the railroads are
ten fold, and the risks are greatly In ex-
cess in many cases.
Coal mines are also under supervision
and most justly so, although the restric-
tons are not yet close enough but the
loss OF life and entailing misery will
cause Improvement.
In nearly all cases claims for compen-
sation by bereaved ones are fought by
these souless corporations, and every
technical objection is raised that can be
and yet employees are swept into eternity
whilst In the faithful discharge Of their
daily duties. and through no fault Of
theirs, and the widow and family are
practically left to fight out the battle OF
life alone and almost without aid, and
often quite without any compensation
from the company in whose employ they
were, the hopes and prospects of the
children are darkened, 81 not destroyed
and not a tear nor n sigh for the misery
endured by their faithful employee
Let the government make provision TO
have competent engineer in every state
who shall investigate the cause Of every
accident of this nature and the power to
call witnesses and take testimony. as
does the coroner. let him have authority
to stop the traffic unless his reasonable
demands for safety are compiled with:
the public will be benefited the employees
have a sound and Just demand for this
and stockholders will be benefited thou
sands a year in dividends now spent in
repairs from accidents that ought never
10 have occurred.
JAMES HART