The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-06

ment of the law. From the very nature or
their occupation railroad men, for In
stance. are liable TO be MANNED In doing
the legitimate work OF their profession
unless the railroad companies are re-
quired by law 10 make ample provision
for their safety The administration has
been jealous In enforcing the existing
law for this purpose. That law should be
amended lind strengthened. Whenever the
national government has power there
should be a stringent employers liability
law. which should apply To the govern
ment itself where the government Is an
employer OF labor.
In my message 10 the F1fty-seventh
congress, at It's second session, | urged
the passage of an employers liability law
for the District of Columbia now renew
that recommendation, and further recon-
mend that the congress appoint COM
mission 10 make a comprehensive STUDY
OF employers liability with the View OF
extending the provisions of great and
constitutional law to all employments
within the scope of Federal power.
MEDALS OF HONOR.
The government has recognized heroism
upon the water. and bestows medals or
honor upon those persons who by extreme
and heroic daring have endangered their
lives I'm saving, or endeaVorlnS 10 save
lives from the perils Of the sea In the
waters over which the United states has
jurisdiction. or upon an American vessel
THIS recognition should be extended TO
cover cases OF conspicuous bravery and
self-sacrifce I'm the saving OF life In pri-
vate employments under the jurisdiction
OF the United States, and particularly IN
the land commerce OF the nation,
PREVENTION OF RAILROAD Acci-
DENTS.
The >vvr-a creasing casualty list upon
our railr,.AAs rs q matter OF grave pub
lie concern, and urgently calls Tor ac-
tion by the Congress. in the matter OF
speed and comfort of railway travel our
railroads give at Least as good service
as those OF any other nation. and there
IL no reason why sis service should not
also be as safe as human ingenuity can
make II. Many OF our leading roads have
been foremost In the adoption or the
most approved safeguards for the pro-
lection OF travellers and employees. yet
the list OF clearly avoidable accidents con-
tinues unduly large
The passage OF a law requiring the
adoption OF a block signal system has
been proposed TO the congress. ] earnest
ly concur In that recommendation. and
would also point out TO the congress
the urgent need of legislation i'm the In
terest of the public safety limiting the
hours OF labor for railroad employees in
train service upon railroads engaged In
Interstate commerce, and providing that
only trained and experienced persons he
employed i'm positions Of responsibility
connected with the operation OF trains.
or course nothing can ever prevent ac-
cidents caused by human weakness or
and there should be drastic
for any railroad employe,
whether officer or man, who by issuance
OF wrong orders or by disobedience of
orders causes disasters. The law OF 1901.
requiring interstate railroads to make
monthly reports Of all accidents to pas
sengers and employees on duty. should
also be amended so as To empower the
government 10 make a personal investi-
cation, through proper officers, of all
accidents Involving loss OF life which
seem TO require investigation with n re-
uuirement that the results OF such investi-
cation be made public.
The safety-appliance law. as amended
by the act OF March 2 1908, has proved
beneficial. TO railway employees. and in
order thst its provisions may be properly
carried out. the force Of inspectors pro-
vded for BY the appropriation should be
largely increased This service is analog-
Gus to the steamboat inspection service,
and deals with even more important in
terests II has passed the experimental
stage and demonstrated It's utility. and
should receive generous recognition by