Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-07-28
TRIAL BY RAILWAY TRIBUNAL.
where Accidents Are Investigated
by Road officials and Culprits
Punished.

A railway court of justice, prlva 70
ly convened for the purpose of IN
! yestigating the causes of accidents
and Furnishing the delinquents con
cerned, is open only TO the officials
OF the line and to servants of the
company who may be called as wit
nesses. But, by the courtesy Of an
ex-ofiicial, the writer has been en-
Ebled 10 CLEAN authentic details
Gnent this lttle-known court Of law,
says London Tit-Bits.
On most Of the important lines the
railway tribunal meets once every
week, and a representative board OF
officials go through the list Of ac-
cidents and cases Of fragrant miscon-
duct. On big railway lots OF minor
mishaps occur which are never re-
corded by the press, but these are
duly reported by local officials to
headquarters, and those responsible
for the occurrences are called TO
give an account of their stewardship.
These official inquiries are merci-
lessly critical and 60 deeply into all
the technical details of the case.
When the locomotive Of a goods train
breaks down on any part of the line
the driver is expected to furnish a
full descriptive report Of the episode,
and in some instances sections OF
severed axles, or wheels, are forward
ed to London for expert inspection.
Often it is exceedingly difficult to
decide whether an accident has been
caused by defective material or by
negligence on the part of the driver;
but no trouble or expense is spared
TO enable the court TO arrive at a
Just verdict on the case. Inspectors
who have gone carefully into the
matter are often called upon to
travel hundreds of miles to tender
their evidence to the court. Such
care is thoroughly justifable when 1t
is remembered that on the decisions
of this court many a mans charac-
ter and position depend.
If q driver is found to be directly
responsible for an accident through
culpable carelessness he is usually
suspended from duty for a certain
number Of weeks, during which he
forfeits his pay. If drunkenness is
clearly proved against him the sequel
is generally dismissal from the com
pany's service. But for misconduct
OF less serious order he may be de-
graded TO some mental office on the
line, at half his former salary.
Brainy men are essential to delib-
crate with equity on the complicated
cases occasionally brought. TO this
court for settlement, for evidence Of
the most contradictory character is
furnished in connection with some
catastrophes. The statement made
by a signalman will vary consider
ably from that rendered by a driver
on a case in question, while the re-
port Of an inspector anent the same
happening may differ materially from
both the other witnesses. But a
judicial sitting of evidence, aided by
careful REORGANIZATION, often en-
ables the court To arrive at a fairly
Just settlement.
1t is interesting to note that
faithful record OF every servant is
kept for reference at headquarters,
and this is invariably inspected when
an employee is called up either for
promotion or punishment. If a man
has committed himself on several oc-
casions, and is called TO answer
serious charge before the official
tribunal, he stands a good chance of
degradation or dismissal, according
TO the gravity of his last offense.
Occasionally a servant of the COM
pany who has been dismissed insists
that his case has not been justly de-
cided. and sends a strong appeal TO
the directors. In special cases, where
there is the slightest loophole for
doubt as to the wisdom Of the courts
decision, the directors order a fresh
and searching inquiry to be insti-
tuted, and If this investigation proves
favorable to the applicant he Is
usually reinstated.
But such cases are comparatively
rare. When a man is dismissed for
eulpable negligence or insobriety il
is almost impossible for him TO OBJ
tain a similar position on another
line, for he has forfeited his charac-
ter His only chance is TO try Amer
Tea or the colonies, and there TO
make a fresh start in life.
Were No Use.