Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-13

OF accidents az we'll as In the number OF
killed and injured by accidents. At the
outset, when little attempt was made to
compete in transportation with the steam
roads and the distances traversed were
short, accidents we're comparatively few
and Il was rare that anyone was killed or
injured. This, however, has completely
changed. Now there Is scarcely a day with
out its severe accident and the list OF
killed and injured is increasing largely.
Since January /, 1902, the record shows
that 2i7 persons have been killed and I72
severely injured by trolley car accidents
or by being run over by the trolley cars.
Most OF the accidents have occurred in
New York and New England, where trolley
lines are most numerous. In these Sec
lions there is scarcely a country road
without its trolley track. The cars now
run long distances and make connections
like the steam cars. So heavy has the bus
mess become that trolley cars are now
often made as long and as heavy as the
steam cars and the rails are of the same
weight as those on the steam roads, though
the rosdbeds are not so secure or as well
ballasted. Indeed, there is comparatively
little difference now in the weight OF roll
ing stock, though there is much difference
in the strength. The two systems now are
81 hthAAl tAdAN III NHt hANNhcNo VI WV
alton IL is remarkable that legislation has
failed to require the same safeguards on
trolley lines which 1t demands on the steam
lines. The former are rapidly becoming
even more meanacing to life and limb
than the steam trains, as is shown by the
figures, which are rather below than above
the true total. The time has now come
when city and state government should
bring the trolley system up with a round
turn and apply the same provisions for
safety. to 1t which the steam system has to
adopt. 1t should look more rigidly not only
into matters of speed and strength, but into
the qualifications Of men employed.
Safeguards Against Accidents.
An electrical engineer who has had oc-
casion to watch the working OF trolley and
elevated railway cars, speaking concerning
some OF the accidents which have recently
occurred, said that some Of these, espe-
cially the wrecking of runaway surface cars,
were entirely independent Of the form OF
motive power. 1t is not quite fair to hold
electricity responsible for a broken brake
chain. for instance. Many Attempts have
been made to perfect an electric brake.
Devices Of the latter character are not un-
common, but they are not altogether salts
factory. One which is in service over in
I've" JtlbtN OpNlaNNS Obly "hAAS ~ - -
moving. The current from the overhead
wire having been shut off by the motorman,
and the electric brake having been brought
into play, the electricity necessary to make
II adhere to the wheels is developed by the
mechanism under the car. For the time
! being the motor is converted into a dynamo,
and the dynamo is driven by the rotation OF
the car wheels. The instant the car stops,
OF course, the supply OF current from this
! source stops and the brake loses its grip.
II the car is on a bit of level track It will
remain stationary, but on a grade the cleo
trio brake will not keep it still. All orig
nal momentum having been checked, the
car would alternately start ahead and stop
through a resumption OF activity in the
brake. This alienation continued until the
foot OF the hill was reached. The electric
brake is not a useful resource in emergen-
c!es and is usually supplemented by an or
binary hand brake. The chief reliance when
a sudden stop is necessary is a reversal OF
the motor that drives the car. The motor
man first shuts of his power in the usual
way, moves a separate lever on the con
troller'' box before him and then turns on
his current again. He is instructed to en-
ploy this plan at critical moments. but he
is also familiar with the order to be careful
about applying power too suddenly, lest he
thereby overhead and ruin his motors
Hence he may be too cautious in reversing
Again, the success OF that practice is de-
pendent on retaining connections with the
overhead wire. II the trolley is thrown off
reversing is without effect. II the brake
fails. too, the car becomes a hopeless vie.
tim Of the law Of gravitation.
Electrical Fire Losses.
A very suggestive report on the coun.
tTy's electrical FIRE loss, issued by the ex.
perts in charge OF the electrical work Of
the National Board OF Fire Underwriters
shows how imperfectly the hazard is ap'
preciated at centers Of population where
great insurable values are stored. Mos
Of the fires repeat the lessons Of previou:
disasters due to imperfect wiring, and sug
gest the need OF careful installation a
hotels and dwellings where human live