The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-12
DOUBLE-HEADER SYSTEM.
A lrainman Says He Believes the Law viii
Pass.
SANTA Ft OFFICIALS ARE ON A TOUR
WiIi Make Many improvements.
Texas Central Extension 10 stam-
ford--Notcs and Personals.


bers OF every union which includes train
men, are watching with unusual interest
the course OF events at Austin, regarding
the proposed legislation against the
"doublo-header' system
a strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon the members OF the legislature
TO pass a bill prohibiting the operation OF
trains under the double header system
This pressure was first felt in the execu-
tive Office. a delegation OF tralnmen
visited Governor Sayers soon after he de-
cided to call the special session, and put
the matter before him, urging that he in
clude such legislation in his call. Now
that the matter has been brought properly
before the legislature, the representatives
of the various orders, nine or ten in num-
ber who are at the State capital watch
ing the progress of legislation, are urging
the passage of the law. They are max
Ing every argument known, and they be-
lieve the bill will pass. In the application
for such legislation. the traipmen are be-
ing Endorsed by labor unions. They all
stand together, and what one union wants
in its particular branch. there win be
found the others moving in sympathy. One
tfainman remarked yesterday TO a reporter
Of The Post; Il am satisfied the law will
be passed. ! think the members of the
legislature are thoroughly in sympathy
With the request and believe they will
give US the legislation which We have
asked for
The agitation against the double head
err system was begun quietly, but 1t was
pushed well along before the legislature
-. \, a
by the trainmen before he left for tho
session and urged TO support the bill.
member of one of the railway orders
discussed the matter with the railroad re-
porter of The Post yesterday, He said;
1 see thdt North Texas is coming to the
front in favor of the double header sys-
tenn. In the paper today | saw telegram
from Sherman stating that the merchants
there had addressed a petition to the les
islature saying: Among the propositions
coming before the extra session OF the
Legislature none appears TO have symptoms
of being charged with a hidden danger ia
the welfare Of our people as a whole than
the bill to prohibit the use Of double-
headers by the railways OF Texas
Now tlrat is excellent theory, and goes
all right for sentiment, but it is poor logIa
when addressed to men who know moth
ing about 10. subject. and when read by
douhle-headers. The operatives Of trains,
engineers. firemen. brakemen, conductors
and swi,chmeu all know that train or
Grated under the double header system is
I dangerous to life and property, The con
| rress of the United states has passed a
| law requiring the railroads to equip all
! rolling stock with air brakes and auto
matte couplers. What do you suppose that
was done for? Not in the interest OF the
I rnn As,f Nc rnu roll inc chs
roads. or the corporations controlling thai
( class OF equipment Il was done to pro
/ tect The lives of the men who must handle
I he trains When The companies asked
/ for an extension Of time in whon 10 com
I pletc he equipment Of their rolling stock
as required by the law. the representative
! Of all the orders OF which railway men arc
members we're present to give statement
/ OF facts. ana that statement OF facts SHOVE
that since the safety appliances have been
in use the death rate Is much less than
/ heretofore. Il is to prevent the increase
/ OF the death rate that We protest against
/ the double header system, and we think
we can place the matter in such light
that fair minded men will see it, The
system is dangerous The general public
! knows nothing about it and the average
man gives the matter only a passing
| thought when he sees an engine at the
rear of train and another in front Of
one in the center and another on the
/ front end. The people do not know VIVA
/ it means but the lrainmen do because
trainmen have been exposed TO the danger
incident to such a practice. We are ask.
ing the legislature to give US this legisla'
ton. and we believe they will, and it is
very probable that steps will he taken Il
secure National legislation on the subject
as 1t Is in line with the safety appliance
law which congress has already passed"
While me above Is the opinion OF Z
trainman, and one who has seen long scr.
vice, the railroad companies are present
ing many able arguments on the otto
side OF the question. One OF the mos
interesting statements ia favor OF double
headers" was that written for sunday
Post by General Manager Kruttgchritt o
the Southern Pacific. He claimed that tn
system had been worked very successful!
on the lines Of that road where II Wa
found necessary and thu therc had bsei
no Increased loss OF life. II ia con
tended by railroad men that douo.e mead
FRS arc an economic necessity Of the day
ana that all strong continental HRes rs
them. thus making the system necessar'
on Texas roads in order 70 chesply aa'
expedlticusly move freight in oomre.itiol