The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-12-09
EFFORTS TO STOP
nkiLWAi HURRnho
-
Congressional Legislation TO
the Protection OF Passengers
Is Discussed.
RAILROAD MEN TO RESIST
They Dc Not wans to s.. Confined to
the Use of Certain Signals
in Operating Their
RAILROAD MEN TO RESIST

Walter weilInan, in a Washington
special to the Chicago Record-Herald.
says:
An effort is to be made during tho
coming session of ongres TO secure
legislation designed to Increase minus
nifty from train accidents on American
railways. The whole country has been
shocked by the record of disasters on
the railways Of the United States dur
Ing the past year. The report recently
submitted by the interstate commerce
commission showed & total Of deaths
on the rail in this country that startled
railroad men as well US the general
public.
The percentage of fatalities to NUM-
Der Of passengers carried is so much
greater in the United States than in
England and other foreign countries
that ven railway men row are admit
ting that something must ne lone. AL
though it is true the fair method OF
comparing the record OF other countries
With that of American roads In pas
sengars killed or hurt per mile OF travel.
and not wholly as TO the number of
passengers carried, since the average
railway journey in this country is so
much longer than the average abroad,
even this more favorable comparison
still leaves q black mark against tho
american railroads.
A Reproach to Americana.
Inasmuch as Americans admittedly
excel the remainder Of the world In al
most every field of transportation, or
ganizarion and mechanics, thoughtful
men consider it a reproach to our copn-
try that tho present condition OF affairs
should be permitted to continue without
ranedy.
Just what form the remedy should
take is, of course, a matter of dispute.
nrrt- - - - l.. @L-r
congress should enact legislation re-
curing All railroads operating trains in
interstate traffic TO Install improved
signal systems In order TO secure great
er safety in the handling of trains. Sc
far as most American railroads are
concerned, signal systems superior to
anything they now have fl use are
available. but the roads do rot 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 have been COM
PEELED to adopt automatic couplers on
freight trains. Another opinion shared
by many of the best and most pro-
gressiye 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 argu-
ment is advanced that no n could
possibly the more Interested in prevent
ing accidents han the managers of the
vpads.
If congress attempts to force them
to adopt certain types OF signals. 1t
will follow as a 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
viii organize to resist.