Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-27

dies. The public demand fast trains,
and fierce competition furnishes them.
However. two restrictive measures can
be put in force, which will lessen the
loss Of life. First, the state of Iowa
can do this much to protect travellers
within our limits. The state has the
legal power to compel every railroad
running trains over the state to adopt
the block system, and furthermore to
enforce by heavy penalty any known
infraction of the rules governing the
system. This is system preventing
any train from moving in either direc
ton till a train ahead Of it has passed
the next telegraph station, or if moving
in opposite direction tn any approach
ing train arrives at a station. Many
roads are now of their own accord US
ing the block system. but all of them
have this element Of weakness. They
occasionally break the block" and al
low trains to leave stations with eau
tionary cards." This should be made a
punishable offence, by heavy fines on
the railroad company and imprison-
ment for any employee knowingly
"breaking a block This is practical
legislation, fully as much so as the law
compelling full stops at grade CROSS
in1ss or city ordinance concerning the
speed of trains in the city limits.
Another law can be passed and en-
forced. allowing large sums to be paid
the relatives or heirs, whenever a rail-
road company kills a passenger by
criminal negligence. At present there
is an unwritten law that $4,000 is the
value of human life, and only in ex-
IRENE cases will a jury give a verdict
for a larger amount. The effect of
law plainly stating that any railroad
corporation causing the death of any
person by criminal negligence shall be
liable for not less than ten OF fifteen
thousand dollars, will have am imned
late and tremendous lessen1ng effect in
railroad accidents. With such an
amount sure to be exacted by the rela-
tives of any one killed by railroad
company. more care will be taken by
employees, this for the reason the Off
cials will not allow SO many risks Ia
ken by engineers "in making up time"
More care will be given bridges, cul
verts and curves. More section men
will be employed, and more switchmen
engaged. In other words, some of our
railroads will figure it cheaper to try
and prevent accidents, rather than
pay whole days earnings for one
accident.
And in this connection q word is in
order concerning legislation proposed
at every meeting Of every legislature in
every state. In every such body Of
men, there are always some individuals
who find an opportunity then and there
to attempt to acquire a reputation as
the friend Of the dear people, by being
"ag'in the railroads" Bills are intro
duced to reduce passenger rates, and
to fix lower rates for freight. This by
men who know nothing about the traf-
fic business of a railroad, and whose
whole object is to acquire a little cheap
notoriety for themselves. The effect
of such unwise legislation when car
rted out is to increase the danger Of
travel on railroad cars, for in every
instance in every business, decreased
receipts mean certain and sure reduce
ton i'm the expenses Of such business.
Rather let there be a sentiment ex-
tant allowing our railroad corporations
a fair return on money invested, and
reasonable dividend to stockholders.
But with this, let these corporations
understand the people will compel
them to adopt all Of the safety appli-
ances proved worthy after experiment
that are invented from time to time
Probably 'Tive and let live" never had
a better application than when re-
ferring to railroad corporations and
the million of lives daily entrusted to
their care