The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-05
SAFETY APPLIAN CES.

eight Congress, at It's tnlfd BtBElOlt 1
called attention TO the necessity for leg
islation requiring the use OF block signals
upon railroads engaged In interstate com
merce. The number or serious collisions
upon unblocked roads that have occurred
within the past year adds force 10 the
recommendation then made. Tho con
gress should provide by appropriate leg
islation, for the Introduction or block
signals upon all railroads engaged in In
terstate commerce at the earliest pracuc-
able date, as measure or increased
safety to the travelling public.
Through decisions of the supreme court
of the United States and the lower Fed
eral courts IN cases brought before them
dor adjudication the safety appliance law
has been materially strengthened. and
the government has been enabled TO Sc
cur It's effective enforcement in almost
all cases, with the result that the conG-
ton OF railroad equipment throughout the
country Is much improved and railroad
employees perform tAalr--dlitie --uIlGoE
safer conditions than heretofore.
The governments most effective ala IN
arriving at this result has been It's inspec-
ton service. and that these improved con
ditIons are not more general is que 10 the
insufficient number OF inspectors employ
ed The Inspection service has fully dem
onstrated It's usefulness, and In appropn-
sting for It's maintenance the congress
should make provision for an increase III
the number OF inspectors.
HOURS OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
The excessive hours OF labor 10 which
railroad employees in train service are
I'm many cases subjected Is also matter
which NAV well engage the serious atten-
ton OF the congress. The strain, Doth
mental and physical upon those VINO are
engaged In the movement and operation
OF railroad trains under modern condi-
tions is perhaps greater than that Whloh
exists I'm any other industry, ana it tnere
arc any reasons for limiting by law tho
hours OF labor in any employment. they
certainly apply with peculiar force 10
the employment OF those upon whose Wig
lance and alertness IN the performances
OF their duties the safety or all who traY-
ei by rail depends.
In my annual message To the Fifty-sev-
enth Congress. at Its second session, i
e1s nIabiiIty law @ FOR tie District of Co
lurnhia and In our navy yards. / renewed
that recommendation in my message 70
the F1fty-eighth consress at rs ,5s second sp
pointment OF o commission to make a
Comprehensive study of employers IA
billty. with view TO the enactment OF
wise and constitutional law covering the
subject. applicable 20 all Industries within
the scope OF the Federal power. ] hope
that such a law Will be prepared and en-
acted as speedily as possible.
LABOR.
The national government has as a rule
but little occasion 10 deal with the for
midable group of problems connected
more or less directly with what Is known
as the labor question. for I'm the great
majority OF cases these problems must
be dealt With by the state and municipal
authoriilcs and not hY the national EQy-
ernment The national government has
control OF the District of Columbia, how
ever and ~ should see 30 n that the city
OF washington is made model city in
all respects. both as regards PARKS. pub
lie Fairgrounds, proper regulation or the
system OF housing 80 as 20 DO away with
the evils OF alley tenewerts, n proper
system OF education, q proper system Of
dealing with truancy and Juvenile oftend-
Hn ~ ha III f1l
work of the district. Moreover. there
should BE- proper factory laws 10 prevent