Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-07
NEVER IN A WRECK
UNIQUE Record of Engineer J. A.
Peterson, Dead at
Galesburg,
FORTY YEARS ON c., B. & Q.
Queen & Crescent Inaueurates "Sur-
prise Tests" to Increase
Safety.

John \. Peterson, one of the Oldest
engineers on the Burlington road, died
at his home in Gaiesburg yesterday
His record is one of the best in rail
reading annals Entering the employ
of the company in 1860 he was given
an engine in 1864 and had served as
engineer till his last illness. He pulled
some famous trains, Of former days
among them being the Gen. Grant spe.
cial.
His railway record indicates that he
has never been in a wreck or coils
ion and has never had so much as a
scratch in the way of injury, this be
ing correctly attributed to his extreme
carefulness and regard for the rules OF
the company with safety as the watch
word Mr. Peterson was never sus
pended for a single day.
New Milwaukee Time Card.
With the inauguration of a new time
table on the Milwaukee road next SIN
day two important changes are made
in the schedule of passenger trains
patronized by local people.
The Southwest Limited eastbOund
which has been a favOrite for those
wishing to get into Chicago early III
the day will hereafter leave Rock Isl
and at AZ a. III. instead of Ais The
westbound train which has been leav-
ing here at 1850 p. m. Will in the fu-
ture depart at 1875 p. m.
No word has yet been received 10
cally in ver.fication of the report that
the Milwaukee was to be a more ac-
tive bidder for travel between Chica-
go and the three cities by adding =
pair of trains to the service. The re
port was that train leaving Daven-
port about l:15 p. m. would be pat on.
"Surprise Tests"
The Queen & Crescent is putting its
engine men and trainmen through Sc
we're tests in the interests of safer,
better and moro expeditions service.
The management has quietly put into
effect a system of surprise tests, 80
which are calcula ed to awaken engi-
neers to their responsibilities.
In circular letter addressed 20 en-
gineers previous to the Inauguration
of the surprise tests" the engine men
were advised to follow printed rules
to the letter, and not to rely on Gus
tomary practice" in cases of doubt
The circular was headed Eternal
Vigilance is the Price of Safety" The
company started in on its secret
tests. Engine men never knew when
a red light would be turned against
them or when they would be placed
in a position to choose between their
own discretion and the letter of print
ed rules
The campaign of surprise tests" not
signals, but whistle signals of all sorts,
placing of rear-end fiagmen. torpedo
tests, burning fuse tests and all kinds
of safety signals.
The time and places for the tests
were kept secret. Engine men and
trainmen did not know when a train
master. a road foreman, a superintend-
ent or train rule examiner was stand
ing behind the glare of red light or
in the shadow of a section house.
New FunctiOnary.
A train rule examiner is a new func-
ticnary. The Queen & Crescent has
appointed one for every division. The
amer in which their duties are ar
ranged is illustrated in the case of an
on gipeer who unwisely followed what
he thought was Customary practice"
instead of plainly printed rules. When
this engineer failed in the surprise test
he was notified to appear before the
train rule examiner. The latter sub
jected him to a rigid examination on
his knowledge of the rules.
Since the surprise tests were in
augurated the discipline of the engine
nen has greatly improved. In order
to ineffaceably impress upon every en-
gineer the fact that speed is not the
first consideration the management OF
the company has given order that the
word safety before speed" shall be
5tenciled in bright letters in the cab
Of every locomotive where the eyes
Of the engineer will constantly see
hem.