Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-27
"DIScARD THE
RUNNING BOARDS"
SAD Lnko clly. Inne 20. la02.

Salt Lake City June &C. 1903.
To the Editor:
The fearful accident OF last night
when that beautiful boy, ANGEL Roper.
was stricken down In his youth al
most manhood a fond father and
mothers heart almost broken. brings
again forclby to mind the unsafe con-
dillon Of the excursion cars having a
running board along each side. They
are a continual menace to the lives and
limbs OF not only the patrons Of the
road but the employees and owners as
well. Only few days ago one Of the
employees of the road returned to work
after having severe brush with one
OF the terrible poles which line the
track throughout the city The writer
was fortunate enough TO save a con-
ductor some time ago from like fate;
the car was overloaded, necessitatlng
his climbing along the running board
to collect. Both boards being crowded,
he failed to see the pole and only by
great effort was he pulled aside In time
to clear II. but lost his coat sleeve.
| happened 10 be on the car when the
accident occurred last night and felt
the car pass over the body The won
der is that more OF the boys have not
been MANNED for life. for there is not a
night that the cars leave the Salt Pal
ace races but that boys cling TO the
runnlng-board on the pole side OF the
ear and In watching the conductor to
escape his eyes court a terrible fate.
The nerves OF the passengers are
strung almost to breaking tension and
Instead OF the ride being one OF pleas
ure II becomes one of terror and dread.
the relief coming only when the car
hns reached First South and you have
changed cars. The conductor occupies
a very unenvlable position. II he orders
the boys of the chances are that they
viii jump just In time TO meet the giant
poles and loose their lives, yet II he
realizing this. fails to order them off
and the company learns of II the con-
ductor Is laid OF, not by contact with
the pole but BY an interview with the
company for breaking the companys
rules.
The remedy and one that should
have instant attention by the company.
Is to do away with these cars having
the running board and make them into
aisle cars Not another car should he
used. Our pleasure resort season is only
Just beginning and attention to this
matter today by dlscarding the run
ning-b0ard may be the means Of saw
ing life and limb from now on. IL I
am right In my conclusions | hope the
press VIII take up the matter and ham,
mer and hammer away until the end IL
accomplished. See what was done by
persistent effort In the fender ATTACH.
ment. The next victim may be my boy
or perhaps yours we cannot tell. we
can only throw all the safeguards pos
slble around them, then our skirts are
clear FELT.
ut Is all very well for people who DO
not think about both sides OF a subject
10 dictate what should or should not
be done by railroad and other com
ranies, II the side platform cars were
all taken Off the tracks. there would
be q rumpus about a scarcity Of cars.
" the platforms were removed how
would passengers get on and of the
cars? The company Is Increasing Its
rolling stock as rapidly as possible. but
must use what cars II has or the pub
lie would not he accommodated The
nuisance Of boys stepping on and OF
the cars while in motion Is not the fault
" the company. People should be
REASONABLE rather than rash Ed. News.l