The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-19
RAILWAY CASUALTIES
INCREASED LAST YEAR
At An APPALLING RATE
Total of 32I Passengers and 1888
Employees Were Killed in All
Kinds OF Accidents.
INJURY LIST LARGER
6,973 Passengers and $4,000 En-
ployes Hurt in Collisions and
Other Casualties.
BLOCK SYSTEM URGED
Points from the Annual Report of
the Interstate-Commerce
Commission.
BLOCK SYSTEM URGEI
special % the IndIanapolis journal.

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec 1s.-The seven
teenth annual report OF the Interstate-com-
nlerce Commission was transmitted to Con-
gress to-day
An interesting feature is the chapter on
railway accidents. In the year ending June
30. 1903. the number of passengers killed in
train accidents was 164 and OF injured, 4,424;
OF employees killed, s95; injured. $40. Cas-
ualtfes from other causes, added to these,
make totals OF 32l passengers and 1898 en-
ployes killed and 6.973 passengers and 49,
004 employees injured. These numbers are
larger by considerable percentage than
the corresponding numbers OF the year last
preceding.
Reviewing the reports received from the
railroads the commission says: 1T will be
seen that the number of employees killed
and injured in coupling and uncoupling cars
has increased by a very large percentage.
This increase and the increases which ap-
pear in nearly all Of the other items are to
a considerable extent explained by the we'll
known and widespread increase of railroad
traffic
1t is gratifying to note that, notwith-
standing the great increase I'm various items
OF the record. the list Of fatal accidents to
passengers Is no larger than last year. The
only other item which does not show an in
crease is overhead Instructions" 1t is not
unlikely that the decrease In this class OF
accidents has been brought about by the in
creased use OF air brakes. doing away. to
some extent, with the necessity of requir-
ing train men TO ride on the tops Of box
INEXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES.
I'm advance of the annual reports il ap-
0f rraar1 milo In,
the train service on June 30, 1908, was about
IL per cent larger than on June 30, 1902, a
fact which in part explains the increase in
deaths and injuries. This is the percentage,
taking the country as a whole. On the roads
or densest traffic, where the liability to ac-
cident Is greater than on roads of light
traffic, the increase has been more
than Il per cent. The enormous expansion
of freight traffic has led to the employment
OF new men so rapidly that the percentage
or inexperienced men In the service was in
tne year under review, larger than before
TOT many years and an increase In the num-
Der OF inexperienced men usually Is accom-
dents.
The report calls attention IN the fact
that certain disastrous collisions have been
occasioned by the misconduct or negligence
or telegraph operators or signalmen under
tWenty-one years or age, and says that
the Congress V1ight well consider the pro-
priety of a statute making IL unlawful for
any person under twenty-one years OF age
10 act as telegraph operator Ito perform
the duties referred to) or as block signal
man.
The most prominent fact in this years
record OF train accidents is the appalling
loss OF life and property in collisions The
showing can not be called materially worse
nor materially better than that made a
year ago, and the total number of pa ssen-
gers killed and injured does not differ from
the record OK the preceding year to such
extent as to can for comment; but the mere
continuance OF the record. though il be no
worse than In former years. is disgrace
TO the American people. painful to every
careful observer"
The report urges adoption of the block
system as means OF preventing collisions
and tentative draft of bill is submitted
by the commission. This proposed bill has
been drafted OF the theory that the expense
necessary for the construction of new sig
nals. or for electrical wires or apparatus
necessttated by the use OF the block sys-
tenn. as we'll as the increase in the expe1se
Tor wages OF signalmen should be distrib-
uted over term OF years; and Ii Is pro-
posed, therefore, that each railroad COM
pany be required to adopt a block system
on one-fourth or its passenger lines by
Jan l. 1906; on another fourth by Jan. 1,
1877; another fourth one year later, and on
the whole by Jan. l. 1909. Many of the
principal lines would be required to make
no important additions TO their expense ac-
counts for the first two years and some
would feel burden for the first three
years For the purpose of dealing with sep
arate parts OF an extensive system OF rail-
the commission to deal with one part of a
company's lines independent of the other
parts.
THE ELKINs LAW.
The report commends the Elkins law. and
says: The commission feels warranted in
saying that the beneficial bearing of this
amendatory legislation became evident from
the time OF It's passage. and that IL has
wis nd alt,fo tt
has corrected serious defects in the original
law and greatly aided the attainment of
some OF the purposes for which that law
was enacted. 1t is believed that never be-
fore I'm the railroad history OF this country
have tarfn rates been well or generally
observed as they are at the present time.
Other things. however, have contributed TO
the improved conditions now prevailing
and among them is the great increase In
traffic. which, in most parts OF the country,
continues to move in unprecedented vol
ume. The test OF the law viii come when
lcssened volume OF competitive traffic in
vites sharp contest for business.
"One of the most significant things In
railway operations for the past three years
has been the marked and general advance
In rates. Six years ago railroad witnesses
often insisted that railway rates could moi
be advanced but the history OF the last
three years has discredited these predic-
tions These advances in TRANSPORTATION
charges have accrued principally through
increase OF the published rate itself such
increase applies In almost all sections OF
the country and 10 many OF the most i'm
portant kinds of traffic. With some excep-
tions. class rates have not been increased
There have been actual increases in rates
upon those commodities constituting the
bulk OF railroad traffic. such as coal. grain
lumber. live stock. dressed meats and
packing-house products An exception In
the case OF packing-house products from
Missouri river points to Chicago is noted
Many advances have been worked b,
changes IN classifications. The class rate,
have generally remained the same but nu.
merous commodities have been advanced
from lower 10 a higher class. Many com.
modities which formerly took specia
commodity rate have been restored to tn.
classification. There has also been a con
stant disposition 10 remove special .,rivf
ieges which had previously been ACCORDED
and 10 charge for services for which befor,
no charges had been made"
The report says railway managers as
sert the advance in rates Is justified by tn,
Increased cost OF operation. and that thei
lines should share In the general prosperit,
OF the country The commission sees ne
assurance OF a corresponding decline n
rates IN the future. ut Is hardly conceiy
able" the report says. that II traffic wer,
10 fall of. n gross earnings were TO de
crease. II times were 10 become less pros
porous that the carriers would for tha
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