New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-02
BLOCK SIGNALLING.
Safetg Not assured Until Human
FaIi6Ety Has Been Eliminated.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue Of Monday appeared edl
torial entitled ''Bock Signalling. which discussed
very ably the recommendation OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission that block signalling be
made compulsory by law, Just as the use or air
brakes and automatic couplers has been made COM
pulsory There can be doubt that the enforced
use OF air brakes and automatic couplers has re-
suited in the saving of many lives and countless
INJURIES II is Just as true that the extension OF
the block signal system would aid still further IN
the prevention OF railway disasters But 1t should
not be forgotten tina. by far the larger number Of
serious accidents resulting in the largest loss OF
Ife occur where the block signal Is in full opera
ton; witness the WestfeId horror. the Park-ave.
tunnel disaster. the slaughter Of college boys at
indianapolis last October and the collision last
week in Michigan. This is perfectly natural and
easily explained. for these accidents al occurred
In places where the traffic is congested and the
great number OF trains run enormously Increases
the possibility OF collision
In all the cases just mentioned nothing was at
fault with the signals They were IN perfect woEN-
ing order. but the engineers did not see tAan IoT
one cause or another. or as at IndianaISiis. tAe
ot Therefore due TO the absence Of block signal
The real Crux OF the matter was laid bare by the
coroners jury at Westheld. which said IN us re-
Should not the railroads adopt. in connection
safety device which will actually shut of The
steam apply the brakes and stop the train II
the track is blocked out of order?"
In the discussions OF the general subject by the
mission. the fact is ignored that there are Jus,
such safety devices IN existence as Jne NeStiS1
fury called for. This Is partly due 10 ignorance.
for 1t IS not generally known that such devices
have been perfected. but. the part OF the news
papers at least. II is generally due the
fusal make the facts public for fear that this
or that inventor or manufacturer will be benefited
by the advertising. II Is true that the idea and s
successful working out Is new. and somebody will
be benefited by tho dissemination OF the knOwl-
edge; but should that fact Justify the press in
Ter Of the greatest possible concern to the whole
public? The agitation OF similar questions has
Undoubtedly resulted IN the enrichment OF the
manufacturers of air brakes. block signals. auto
matte Couplers and veStibuled platforms. but the
public has Just as surely. II not more largely.
benefited by It. Why, then. discriminate against
the automatic safety idea because II is novel and
has not yet become a matter or every day knOwl-
edge like the others?
The successful adoption OF automattc safety
signal and brake system would save hundreds Of
lives and millions OF property every year. II
need not be feared that the railroads viii be
fooled into buying gold bricks by the publication
OF descriptions OF such systems. Railroad
ayers not built that way. Neither could any
unworthy system be helped. Each stand on
fits own practical merit. What could be obtained
is public discussion OF a vital problem affecting
every Of who ever travels. Let the press
give It's readers the facts, and the law OF the
survival OF the tittest will do the rest
New-Yorb Dec. go 1903. TRAVELLER