The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-11

parting is doubled on billy road when
drifting; g. Danger to equipment in start
ing train from stand-still 9. Danger.
from fire dropping from front Of engine,
setting cells or boxes on fire of second
engine"
Another engineer said that in the case
of the Norfolk and Western and other
railroads running through mountain sec
lions, double headers do not carry the
number of cars which the Seaboard is
attempting to carry. He said there was
a difference between carrying 10 to %
cars in a mountain section and 40 to 20
cars on roads in other sections. Much de-
ponds upon the character of the road.
On mountain roads it is sometimes neces
sary to use double headers to carry a
few cars and engineers raise no objcc-
tion, and there the railroad bed, curves,
trestles and bridges are built for such
service. On roads in this section there
are short hills that may cause the trains
to first pitch forward on the heavy
weight of the two engines and then drop
back. straining and often breaking draw
heads and pulling out bumpers.
Whether other roads practise it or not.
one thing we know: The engineers in
North Carolina honestly believe that their
lives are jeopardized by double-headers
and most of the people agree with them.
AS the amount saved by double headers
is only the salary of conductor, who is
paid So day, flagman who is paid $1.25
per day, and brakeman who Is paid 30
cents, why should not the Seaboard
abandon plan about which, to say the
will pay them to listen to their own en-
gineers better than to be guided by what
roads in other sections under different
conditions have done.
AS to Mr.. Barr's statement that this
paper has not dealt fairly with him he
has only to refer to the columns of the
News and Observer to see that he is in
error. Not a wreck has occurred on the
road but that a representative of this
paper went voluntarily to the Seaboard
headquarters in this city, where the sup
erintendents and train dispatchers of both
divisions in this State are located, and
a,,t fro off
GERS of the company. The News and OBJ
server has endeavored to print the news
of these unfortunate accidents, in which
the public was so deeply interested. and
on every occasion a statement has been
secured from Seaboard officials as soon
as it could be obtained, giving the rail-
roads version as to the facts. In the
case of the Cameron wreck, when pas
sengers were denying the position main
tanned by the railroad, a statement was
published from the Seaboard officers in
this city, and even the day after, a repre-
sentative of this paper made it his bust
ness to see Trainmaster Winters and give
an additional account of the. railroads
theory as to the cause of the wreck.
And as to the double-header system
now in vogue, the News and Observer OBJ
tanned it's information from railroad
sources. 1t has been common talk among
railroad men here that the double header
plan was attempted on the Seaboard some
months ago and had to be abandoned.
Mr.. Barr will have no difficulty in finding
railroad men here who disagree with
him as to the wisdom and propriety Of
hauling from As to 70 cars hitched 20
two engines on road bed in level
country where there are many curves.
men differ.
Upon reflection Mr.. Barr will with
draw his suggestion that this paper has
not treated the Seaboard Air Line fairly.
In the recent struggles through which
that road has gone this paper has sup
ported it actively, earnestly and effect
lively because IL was conducted upon
broad and liberal lines and promised
great things for this city, State and the
South. So earnestly in fact has this pa
per fought the Seaboard's battles that a
hireling organ of another railroad spread
the faleshood that the News and Observer
was backed by the Seaboard This paper
supports the policy of the Seaboard when
it is right; when it is wrong it criti-
cizes it. The Seaboard has won popular
favor because it's just and progressive
policy entities it to popular favor IL
will continue to enjoy popular favor as
long as it pursues the policy toward its
employees and the people along it's line
that has characterized it from the day
the first spike was driven on the Raj
eigh and CASTOR road. This paper wishes
it the largest measure of success and will
always treat it fairly: but it will not
hesitate to criticize what it deems ought
to be criticized.
If railroad officials would give out al
once all news of wrecks, instead, as is
frequently the case of directing all their