The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-12
RAILROAD NEWS.
A Remarkable Idea Is Conceived
by an Iowa Farmer.
Has a Scheme co Prevent Rail-
road Wrecks.
BY SYSTEM OF GUARDS.
The State Journal VIII Be Glad
TO Print Further Suggestions.
Gossip and Matters Of Interest
in Railroad Circles.
BY SYSTEM OF GUARDS.

During recent years and more espec-
tally during the past year railway man
ayers and presidents, and in fact most
of the men interested in the operating
department Of railways have been CIV
ing the subject Of safety devices for the
operation of railroad trains much
thought.
The subject Of safety for trains and
the consequent guarantee against dan
ger to the passengers is a subject tnilr
not only is of vital interest to the pup
Ito but to the railway managers as Well
Railways are as anxious to avoid col
Iisions as passengers are to avoid belh5
IN collisions. The large number or ac-
cidents of the past year has aroused
no little discussion of the subject, ana
the State Journal is in receipt OF a let
ter from Milton Jenness, resident
along rural mail route No. 2, at Chero-
kee, Iowa. bearing on this question.
Mr. Jenness has some very original
ideas as to methods of avoiding head
on and rear-end collisions, and he mag
unanimously offers his suggestions to ne
made use of by some one OF inventive
genius. Mr.. Jenness' letter follows:
Editor Of the State Journal:-Could
not advance and rear guards be run az
sufficient distance ahead and behind
trains to prevent collisions Of the trains
themselves. The guards to be propelled
by the engines of the trains
They might be only. OF sufnclent
nections only Of such strength as TO en-
able them to propel the guards?
Are not these suggestions OF sum
cient Importance to be considered by
men who are possessed OF inventive tai
ent?''
Mr.. Jenness' suggestions are submit
ted herewith for what they are worm
His letter is not clear on one point. he
does not say what sort of material he
would have his advance guard and rear
guard composed OF.
Doubtless he had in mind some ueAl-
BILE substance such as Whalebon9 1t
IS not unlikely that he would have TINS
Whalebone guard or "feeler TO extend
not less than a half mile ahead OF the
engine and q half mile behind the
rear of the train. Thus there would be
q mile of whalebone between every two
trains, and If an engineer saw MS
Whalebone guard out in front OF the en-
CINE become agitated, curl UP ana per
form all sorts of strange antics he
would be then led to believe that he
must be approaching another tram.
would give him plenty OF time to re-
verse the engine.
The State Journal would be glad to
assist in further discussion along this
line, and for that reason would be glad
to print in this column any suggestions
that those Of Inventive talent" may Of
Mr.. Jenness' letter has been turned
over to General Manager H. U. Nudge
Of the Santa Fe. Doubtless It will re-
ceive the consideration that it deserves.
One big reason why such a scheme
would not be feasible on the Santa F'e
railroad is that the Santa Fe main line
is operated under the manual block
system which is the safest and best
method known. It is practically an alb
eolute guaranty against either head-on
CT erar-end collisions.
II the scheme is looked upon favora-
bly, by the Santa Fe officials, no doubt
the plan suggested by the Iowa farmer
will be given a trial on some of the
branch lines Of the road.