The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-12-26

signs OF
spect to their increased Width
This reduces the clearance between
tracks 70 such an extent that 1T is
often difficult for man to pass pc
tween cars on different tracks IN
+,,e matter of collisions and derall-
ments, the statistics gathered uiluel
+he law of 1901 constitute the hlst
.r+hertic record of the kind winch
has ever been published relating 10
railroads of the whole country Inc
forres compiled by the Commission
for the year ending June 3d. .l9o|'
show approximately rs collisions ana
I 3 derailments per 100 miles OF rail-
road for the year; and the losses by
accidents, not including damage 10
freipht or sums paid to persons TOT
bodily injuries or on account OF
death. average, roughly, S3, ooo per
100 miles of road annually. Nuher-
Gus other statistics as contained III
the bulletins are commented upon III
the report. The enforcement OF reg
u1ations, the neglect or violation OF
which has caused these Collisions
has long been the subject of extend
ed discussion among railroad oHcers'
bu+ such discussions have not result
ed in marked improvement, except
as they have led to the adoption OF
the block system. This system Is
treated at length in the report and
highly commended. Monthly acct
dent reports are confined to COILS
ions, derai1ments, and casualties to
EMPLOYEES and passengers. Inc
statute does not authorize the 1nclu-
sion of other accidents to trains or
casualties to trespassers, to persons
at highway crossings or m1scellane-
Gus persons on railway premises;
hut these classes of casualties are IN
cluded in statistics given by railroad
companies in their annual reports to
the Commission. AS compilation of
these accident statistics for the an
nua1 reports would be unnecessary II
monthly reports were made to IN
clude all classes it has been suggest
ed that the monthly reports should
be amplifed to include the whole.
A large majority of the principal
& companies have already expressed
willingness to report these addition
al data on the monthly sheets and 1t
> is hoped that favorable expressions
will soon be received from all.
h The gratifying results of the safe
;. ty appliance law of 1898 have been
r increasingly evident during the
$ present year. The number of per-
: sons killed and injured in coupling
t and uncoupling cars during the year
: ending June 80, 19O2-the first entire
n wear reported since the law went in
:. TO full effect-shows diminution as
IT compared with 1898 the year when
IS the law was passed of 68 per cent in
,e the number killed and 81 per cent in
e. the number injured. III 1893 the
re number of casualties from this cause
,r was II, 40 of which 433 were killed
n and II, 277 were injured. In 1902 the
&c total number was 2,256 of which IA;
+ were killed and 2,113 injured. This
n shows reduction of 9,454; and it is
ir to be borne in mind that the number
10 of men engaged in this work is
be much greater now than it was II
it 1893 But the report goes on to say
tie that cast a1ties continue to occur
I'd and their number is such as to cal
II, for continued and earnest efforts t.
ed eliminate their causes. Although
cy we have the automatic coupler, Their
are dangers against which it doe
n not fully provide, such as cars move'
re while not in complete running order
rs poorly constructed couplers; car
M failing to compile except by violen
ed IMPACT, leading to breakage, delays
n and annoyances; men going De
on tween the cars to prepare for sec
il ond coupling trial; defective un
re- coupling levers or rods and thel
ID, connections. A perfect uncouplin
on device is as clearly required by tn
IN To promote more general compli
inc ances with the spirit of the safety
nd appliance law in the use of al
On brakes, the Commission recommend
will passage of an act forbidding the rut
ais ming of trains in which less tina
EN- one-half of the cars are equippe
will with power brakes, in operatiN
IAN condition, and suitably connected
of the engine, and empowering tn
bIy Commission to issue a general ord
the or orders requiring the use of pow
re- brakes on more than so per cent
Ise- the cars in a train as and whenev
him it shall find such increased use to
law practicable; and also permitting Il
mr. Commission, in the case of any pa
led ticular road, after hearing and
is vestigation, to permit, for a spec
hat fed period, the running of trai
,ost with power brakes in use on lie
ma than so per cent of the cars therei
,di- Such orders should be authorized
npe prevent any possible hardship, d
to unforeseen exigencies. This r.
A.. concentration is in accordance WI
:: facts and interviews brought out
,roo hearings before the Senate a
,.L House committees at the last
sion of Congress. The Commissi
:. further recommends that the prov
a.. ions relating to automatic couple
1f hf-aV w h