The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-04
MANY ACCIDENTS.
Plan Being Formulated to Es-
tablfsh Safeguards.
Would Have a Measure Increas-
ing the Maximum.
NOW FIXED AT $4,000.
Not More Than That for Death
of a Man.
Would Raise the Limit and Thus
Bring Caution.
NOW FIXED AT $4,000.

Measures Will undoubtedly be adopt
ed in the legislatures of both Kansas
and Missouri at the approaching ses-
sion of those two bodies which will
exert a greater influence upon the rail-
roads in the matter of installing safety
devices for handling passenger trains,
than perhaps any other one thing.
A bill is now being drafted for pre-
sentation to the Kansas legislature
which has for its object the repeating
of the present law which places the
maximum amount that may be collect
ed from a railroad for the negligent
killing of a passenger. at the sum Of
$4,000.
The bill will provide for the settling
of the matter of the amount of dam
ages which may be collected, by the
jury which hears the damage suits in
court Such a law will give absolute
jurisdiction in the matter TO the jury
and the damages may range from $1,000
10 100000 according to circumstances.
1T is an outrage" said a prominent
Topeka lawyer to a reporter for the
State Journal, ito set a price on ~
mans life, and say it is worth no more
than that And that is what is viz
tually done by a law which sets the
maximum amount of damages which
may be collected at 10000
THE Kansas laws are even more
liberal at present to the travelling pub |
lie than the laws of the state of Mis- |
souri, The law in Missouri sets the
maximum amount which may be col |
lected by heirs or relatives of a person
killed at $1,000
''The law in Colorado names mini
mum amount of $4,000 and maxi |
mum amount of $1,000.
The appalling list of disasters of
the past summer brings the subject
of better safety devices and better
care in the handling of passenger
h. II he Dc RI 17a
of almost every citizen
IF the greed of railway stockhold- |
ers is such that their employees in the
operating department of the various
railroads are afraid to install sufficient |
means of protection for the patrons /
of the company because it will de-
crease the amount of dividends which /
may be paid, then it is time that the
public take a hand in the matter.
English railways are governed by
laws which require every known safe
~ device, and collisions and deaths
from railway accidents are almost I'M
known in that country.
so long As railway managers are
secure in theethought that it will cost
only so much Tor each person killed, it
is simply a gamble with them. In
stead of making the outlay for in
stating protective devices and for
building double tracks, they take a
long chance, and let things go along
in the hope that a terrible accident
won't happen.
But there is way for the travel
ing public to get protection. The pas
sage of bill in the legislature re-
pealing the act which StipulateS the
maximum amount of damages to be
paid in cases of accidents or death
Will have a far-reaching effect.
1t is a fair proposition TO make
SUCH a law 1t is no more than right
that greater damages should be paid
in some cases than in others. Who
VIII say that the heirs of a young
man i'll the prime of life. with fam
lly. and earning good income with
prospects of a still larger income in
years to follow. should have but So
OOe as damages for the loss of his
lie in a railway accident which is
shown to have been caused by negli-
Eence either upon the part of en-
ployes or OF the company in not pro-
Nlding sufficient safety appliances?
Many men are killed in railway
accidents where 5000 and even as
nigh as 100000 is hardly ADEQUATE
heirs.
when the time comes that rail-
ways are put UP against a law which
VIII allow of the collection of dam
ages in those large amounts when the
circumstances warrant it. then viii
come time when they will be hound
10 pay more attention to the rights
OF their patrons"
A bill is being drafted in topeka.
bN member of the legislature Of Kan |
sas embodying these ideas. and il win
De presented at the next session. The
same bill with perhaps a few minor
changes 10 suit local conditions will be
introduced in the legislature of Mis-
souri,, where the maximum amount of |
damages which may be collected ar-
cordyinS to law. is but half the amount !
established by the Kansas legislatures !
influence viii be brought to hear nv
the public upon members of the legis-
lature in all portions of the state and
the measure which is proposed will ur-
doubtedly be passed and viii become a
law.
1t Is certain to become a law some
Tune, said the Topeka lawyer, who for
the time being prefers not to have his
name mentioned in Connection with
the matter I believe that the public
sentiment viii be so strongly in favor
OF such a law, and that it Will be agi-
tated SO much by the newspapers that
any members of the legislature who
may De under the influence of the rail-
roads Will be afraid to come ou+ and |
oppose the measure
II IS serious question. and one Of
vital interest. Railway accidents ars
becoming so numerous that it is high
time that the railway managers he
forced 10 give the public better urO-
lection. and just compensation TO
heirs of people killed by negligence
ATTACK WITH KNIUEc