Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-01-14
AND so ARE NOW ON A vACA-
TON.
T2AINMEN ARE CAUGHT
Many Run by Signal Light Near
Chicago Without Stopping - Trap
Set for Them and Some Fall in
One Lucky Fellow is Given a
Tip.

III there are any idle railway men
about the explanation lies in the fact
that some have recently been laid off
as reprimand. Without noticing that
the light in the semaphore above the
station Of the Chicago and Northwest
erp railroad at Mayfair Chicago SUI
burb, was not burning, eight train
crews passed the danger signal while a
high Official secretly marked down the
numbers of the trains. AS a conse-
men, and eight engineers are now on
an enforced vacation of sixty days.
The remarkable test was suggested
by the wreck that occurred on the Pere
Marquette railroad near Grand Rapids.
Mich, on Dec. 26, and by desire of
the company to throw the utmost safe.
ty precautions about it's patrons.
Shortly before O'Clock last Satur-
day evening an official appeared at the
station in Mayfair The office was in
charge of the night telegraph opera,
tor.
Il have eXtinguished the light in the
semaphore and l want the numbers of
the trains that pass without the crews
coming into the Office to report it,"
said the official.
who are your" demanded the oper-
ator.
A card convinced the operator that it
was an order he had better obey with
out further question. Then the visitor
| took his position behind a stove where
he could not be seen from the window.
According to the rules of the COM
pany light that is not burning has the
same significance that a red light or
danger signal, would have. The light
in semaphore above station, accord
ing to the rules, must be noticed not
only by the engineer and fireman but
also by the conductor. The fact that
the light was not burning, If noticed.
would bring any train, even with any
ordrs previously given, to a standstill
and the conductor would not give the
order TO go ahead until the train dis.
patcher had given a new release.
The station at Mayfair stands an
eighth OF a mile south of the crossing
with the Chicago, Milwaukee and st
Paul railroad. 1t is on the east side OF
the track. The semaphore light is jus,
about the roof line. Almost directly
across the track is tower light, oper
ated by the man in the tower house al
the Junction. Another such signal is
located almost at the crossing. II
these two lights show that the crossing
is clear the trainmen hitherto have pro
ceeded without giving especial atten
ton to the order board, or semaphore
though the rules forbade this.
| While the test was going on. the
trains ran by the @tation without any
Mating. The Northwestern limited
which leaves Chicago $3.50 o'clock, hur.
RED by without a stop Suburban
trains stopped at the station and then
pulled away with nc notice of the ex.
tlnguished light One conductor, who
had friend among the depot men, had
his attention called to the signal Just
as his train was leaving Jumping 10
the platform of the moving car, he
seized the bell cord and gave it a Wig.
orous pull The train came to stop.
What's the matter with your soma.
phore light?' he demanded as he en-.
tered the station and walked up to the
! operator. Get the train dispatcher
and give me release"
We'll, | guess this is enough for a
two hours work." said the raiIroal
man, who was campel behind the stove
Eight trains, including freights. that
would not stop for orders. 1t is Ger.
fanny fine record-not."
Just then the conductor saw his
chief and understood the anxiety of his
friend, who had made him stop his
train. Now he is thanking the same
friend, because he is working while a
number OF his fellow employees are laid
off.
Many excuses are offered in behalf
oil the men laid off, some o. whom are
! admittedly. the most reliable In the
service. 1t is said to be especially diff.
cult for conductors, often exceedingly
busy with ticket collecting. to take
time to look for the light at Mayfair.