New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-14
TROLLEY ACCIDENTS.

The driver of a truck laden with merrymak-
ers which was run down by trolley car In
Jamaica on Saturday night does not seem to
have used good judgment He says that the
car was running very rapidly. and that the
mOtOrman made no proper effort to avoid a
collision On the other hand, the latter says
that he had no reason to suppose the truck
driver was about TO turn suddenly and cross his
track without warning. but was justified in
thinking he had a clear course before him. The
questions of speed and care are thus disputed,
and the probability Is that there was fault on
both sides in this as in most eases. But the re-
suit was exceedingly serious, two persons hav-
ing been killed and several others badly injured,
and all the facts ought to be diligently invesu-
gated. The other trolley accident reported In
yesterdays papers not fatal, but the re-
sultant casualties We're numerous, and the cir
cumstances were especially suggestive of the
perlous conditions which too commonly sur
round the trolley traffic of rural lines.
These conditions have chiefly arisen, we sup
pose. from the extraordinary rapidity with
which the system of electrical propulsion has
been introduced in place OF horsepower and on
new routes which it has called into existence.
In both cases the requirements of safety at n
comparatively lou rate of speed have too COM
monty been made 10 answer the purposes of
swift service. This has been, perhaps, a matter
of liberation rather than calculation. Ii was
not originally expected that trolley cars on
country lines would travel at the rate of from
twenty TO twenty five miles an hour, competing
on short stretches with steam railroad trains,
and managers are reluctant TO admit when they
are called 10 account that such is the case. But
there is no good reason to consider that estimate
an exaggeration. while il is certain that both
tracks and cars are in most instances unfit 10
bear SO severe a test. the former being in
securely laid and ballasted and the latter the
furnished relics of some earlier equipment. We
should not wish. without fuller knowledge, 10
apply this criticism specifically 10 the service
which broke down with disastrous consequences
near EnglewOod. " j.. Sunday afternoon,
but il is unquestiOnably applicable TO many
trolley lines in all parts Of the country. null
titude of witnesses could testify 10 the excessive
speed at which rattletrap trolley run
on makeshift tracks by reckless motOrmen.
The weight of the loaded vehicle usually keeps
it on the rails if nothing gives way. but when
the brake fails or. as apparently In this in
stance the pole is disconnected from the wire
so that the electric current cannot he used to
reverse the motor. the situation suddenly be-
comes appalling.
II a law should he passed to regulate the
speed of trolley ears outside of city limits 1t
would. we surmise, be practically impossible 10
enforce ii uniformly. though substantial evil
dence that the law had been violated would
presumably exercise much influence with jury
men in damage cases and managers might con
sequenty see the advantage of compelling their
employees TO he more prudent With or with
out such law the public assuredly has right
TO demand a more thorough inspection and
maintenance of ears and tracks. Ii is probable
that great improvements will be gradually in
PRODUCED trolley lines from motives of self
interest as time goes on. The steam railroad
was a crude affair in IFS early days. But if the
pressure of public opinion can hasten the proc
ess so much the better