The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-12-09
EFFORTS 10 STOP
WAY HORRORS
Congressional Legislation TO
the Protection OF Passengers
Is Discussed.
RAILROAD MEN TO RESIST
They Do Not Want to Be Confined to
the Use of Certain Signals
in Operating Their
Lines.
RAILROAD MEN TO RESIST

Walter weilman. in a Washington
special to the Chicago Record-Herald,
says:
An eHor is to be made during tho
coming session of congress TO secure
legislation designed to Increase immu-
nifty from train accidents on American
railways. The whole country has been
shocked by the record of disasters Oh
the railways of the United States dur
ing the past year. The report recently
submitted by the Interstate
commission showed e total of deaths
on the rail in this country chat startled
railroad men as wGll as the general
public.
The percentage of fatalities to NUM-
Der Of passengers carried ia so much
greater il the United States than in
England and other foreign countries
that even railway men TOW are admit
ting thai something must be one. AL
though it is true the fair method OF
comparing the record Of other countries
with that OF American roads IN pas
.engers Killed or hurt per mile of travel,
and not wholly MS 10 the number OF
passengers carried, since tho average
railway journey IN this country is SO
much longer han the average abroad,
even this more f%avorable comparison
Still leaves n black mark against tho
american railroads.
A Reproaeh to Americans.
Inasmuch as Americans admittedly
excel the remainder of the world In nj
most every field of transportation, or
ganizatlon and mechanics, thoughtful
men consider it n reproach to nj coun-
try that the present condition OF affairs
should be permitted TO continue without
rarnedy.
Just what form the remedy should
take Is. of course. a matter of dispute.
The most intelligent opinion is that
congress should enact legislation re-
ouiring an railroads operating trains in
interstate traffic TO install improved
signal systems in order to secure great
er safety in the handling of trains. SO
far as most American railroads are
concerned. signal systems superior to
anything they now have IN use are
available, but the roads do not Install
them on account of the expense.
One opinion is that they should be
compelled by law to adopt the best
signal systems. regardless of cost, Just
as the Interstate roads Ia been COM
PEELED to adopt automatic couplers on
freight trains. Another opinion shared
by many of he best and most pro-
sressive railroad men of the country,
is that the roads should be left free
handed to work out their own salvation
without any interference by congress-.
In support of this opinion, the
ment is advanced that no one could
possibly the more interested IN prevent
ing accidents han the managers of the
poads.
If congress attempts to force them
to adopt certain types OF signals. 1t
will follow as Il matter of course that
cheap and inefficient signal systems
will be put on the market and many
railroad managers may be tempted to
adopt them. 1t seems certain that IL
a serious effor. Is made to enact legis-
lation on this subject during the COM
ing session of congress, the railways
will organize to resist.