Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
RAILROAD DISASTERS.
The Epidemic Which Ragged Has Hap
PLY Ceased

During the recent epidemic of railroad
accidents The Star commented thereon and
printed an article showing numerically and
analytically the causes of such disasters
one of which was the disregard OF signals
on the part of engineers, said a Washing
ton railroad man Of experience, land 1t
may be noted with satisfaction by the pub
lie and companies alike that the epidemic
of disasters which may be said to have
ragged for several months in almost daily
succession has happily subsidized.
Since then two instances have arisen
one of national Importance and the other
unknown outside of one locality, diametric-
ally opposite as to results as regards the
engineers, but both tending to substantiate
the position of The Star. brief notice of
these disasters and what they prove will
be found especially interesting to the trav-
cling public.
The first case is that of the engineer
whose train wrecked with such fatal re-
suits a train ahead on the same track in
the 4th avenue tunnel in New York. and in
this case prominent citizens of the me-
tropoliS WED with one another in going
upon the engineers bail bond. 1t was al
legged that he diSregarded signals, while he
stated that none were set, or, if set were
not observable because of the smoke in the
tunnel. The other case is that of the en-
gineer held a few days ago in Pittsburg by
a coroner's jury. 1t was alleged that he
ran by signals, ran into a train, killing a
brakeman. When ne asked, it was stated
while he ran by the signals he gave as
reason that he could not account for his ac-
ton. This latter case is peculiarly in line
with The Stars Statement that as long as
railroads were run by human beings the re-
duction of accidents to minimum was all
that could be expected; that the non-co-
operation of the human mind with the &C
ton of mechanical appliances rendered the
latter comparatively useless. This latter
engineer, upon the announcement of the
verdict holding him for trial. wept and
expressed the deepest concern for his wifes
feelings and health because of the shock
which would follow the news of the coro-
ners verdict. When asked why he did not
at the time think of the persons whom he
might cause to be killed by running past
the signals, upon which other men in haz-
ardous positions upon the track relied for
their own safety and protection, and why
the thought of his own wife and family
did not enter his mind at that time he re-
piled that he did not know.
This Is one of the most remarkable cases
which has come under my observation as a
railroad man. Railroad officials try by all
means in their power to fix upon the minds
Of their engineers the absolute Importance
OF obeying without question their inStruc-
lions and the signals set for their guidance
and the safety of the human freight they
carry. In this latter case the engineer
must have taken his chances of disregard
ing the signals through recklessness or in
difference as to results. 1t is curious
feature of human nature which will prompt
such action. l believe, however, that one
reason why railroad men will take these
risks is because the juries in their COM
nlunities, as odd as it may seem, usually
give the engineer the benefit of all doubts
in criminal cases, just as they usually do
in civil cases for damages against COM
pany. 1t is my belief that if railroad men
did not know this they would take fewer
chances. If they realized that the public
woilI hsla them IL case OF criminal negli-
genoe as severely to account as other Of
tenders in court are held when on trial they
would exercise greater care, and that acct
dents all over the country would be mate
rally lessened. Life and limb, when sacri-
feed or jeopardiZed in this country, is held
entirely too cheap. The general public and
juries in all instances should remember
that the travelling public, once inside of a,
train of cars, is almost entirely at the
mercy of the man at the throttle, at the
switchboard and along the track They
should be held to the full measure of their
responsibility. and the sympathy should be
with the injured and the killed and not
with the railroad employees and in this the
public has the full support of the compa-
MES"