The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-06

STREET can ACCIDENTS.

Seattle, Wash, Dec. 4, 1900.
To the Editor: Accidents of one kind or
another on our street car lines have be-
come so frequent that one IL recorded
every few days They are so frequent and
the escape of lives and limbs are by such
narrow margins that timid people are be-
coming alarmed.
There must be a cause for these mis-
haps. DO they result from incompetency,
carelessness, recklessness. or what? A
thorough investigation will without doubt
answer the question, and 1t should be de-
ferred no longer. 1t cannot be claimed
that there is any excuse for so many COL
lisions and runaways as have happened
recently. No such happenings are record
ed OF other cities. and they were compare
lively infrequent in this city until lately.
In these cases It viii generally be found
that some one is at fault. The car line
management cannot AFFORD this kind OF
service. Neither are its patrons disposed
to tolerate II. 1t Is said the Green lake
and the Renton car line collisions were
due TO fog obstruction. But in both cases,
1t seems. freight cars were running out OF
time, and papers state that when the cars
came together fun speed was on, and In
the Green lake case the signal was not
transmitted. or. II so, there was no notice
taken OF it,. Most persons would think
that when the fog is very dense cars
should move cautiously and slowly and
greater strictness observed about rules
and signals. People would rather wait
and be tardy than to take such desperate
risks.
The Jackson street car collision Is said
to have been caused by the car coming
down the Hill without attachment OF the
underground grip to hold II back II there
had been women and children on this car.
in place of men, who jumped and saved
themselves, no doubt several lives would
have been sacrificed. In most cases II will
be found that somebody or something Is
at fault, and whatever may be the cause
II should be discovered and corrected be-
fore these accidents occur. and thus pre-
vent Them. II they continue II win not be
long before the city will be Mortified by a
terrible disaster. like the one that recent
w befel Tacoma, which was declared 20
be the result 81 recklessncss and incom-
potency. Cautious people viii quit riding
on the cars from fear OF accidents, which
viii he losing business for the car lines.
Strangers transiently In the city, with
view of making investments or locating
permanently. being unfavorably impressed
by so many accidents. will leave FOR some
other place. where lhe Is more secure.
The management by making n radical
change In the service viii save all this
loss. besides be exempt from the worry
and loss Of damage suits. OF course; Il -
to tile interest Of the management. from
every standpoint, 10 give good and accept
able service 20 It's patrons. MAKING iifs IS
secure as possible. and no doubt that is
the earnest wish and intention. but some
how things have got out Of joint, and
should De promptly adjusted.
There is no disposition 20 Judge harshlY
or uujsssly the car line service. but sim
ply 70 calf attention to the defects In the
hope aud belief that thay viii be speedily
corrected. thereby making things more
pleasant and safe for the management and
all The people as well.
b r HART.