Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-06-22
Thursday, June %, 1905.
An Awful Catastrophe.

We are called upon to record thf
most distrous wreck that has ever oc-
CURED on the W. M. R. r. IN the his
tory of its existence, it being all the
more appalling from the fact that most
of the victims were residents of this i'm
mediate community.
The w. M. r. r. has been practical
ly free from disasters of this character
and it is all the more shocking to US
when they do occur. The lack of &C
cidents reflect great credit on the man
acsment of the read, but in this partic'
ular instance, is brought to bear certain
things which in our judgement, should
be changed IN order that accidents Of
this character might be avoided, OF al
least reduced to minimum in the flu
ture.
In the first place. it seems that that
the workmen, owing to the crowded
condition of the Saturday evening train
FROM Baltimore, have no place to ride
except in the baggage Car, or on the
platforms. This should not be permit.
ted, but proper accommodations should
be afforded the workmen in their trans
portation to and from their work,
Then, again, it is well know fact
that the railroad in the line of great
improvements and betterment and con
nection with other lines are employing
many men, and are running great
MANY trains over this single track road
which is not run under what is
called the "block system If this sys-
tenn had been adopted by the road it
would place the responsibility Of an &C
cident of this kind on but one man.
Again, with the increased number of
trains, the road should be doubletracked
from this point to Baltimore. 1t would
certainly be cheaper in the long ruI to
the railroad company, especially fiom
the view point of having fewer acct
dents.
Criticisms are always easily made,
and while the blame primarily rests on
those unfortunate men who were In
charge of the freight train and who, to,
gether with many others met their late,
we would point this accident out espe-
cially to tie officials OF the road, SO that
a more modern system could he inaug-
uratcd and which, no doabt, will be in
the very near future.
1t is sad fact to record that many
HON e8 will not only be desolate but
destitute as well.
This brings to our mind another
point, and it should be impressed or the
minds of the officials of the road, that
there is no relief association on the W..
M. system. If there had been, these
unfortunate men would have, under
that system, provided for their families
q pension in case Of death. This sys-
TEN should be inaugurated at once.
The Pennsylvania and B. & 0. and in
fact all large railroads have this system,
and it means so much to the families OF
the workmen in times Of death and dis.
aster which sooner or later must come
to all.
Much has been written Of the acct
dent and we are glad to note the uni
form fairness in which it has been treat
ed, which fact no doubt is much appre-
ciated. Our community has been plum
ged into mourning in consequence OF
the accident and the sympathy of ev'ry
one goes out to the families and loved
ones Of those who were 80 suddenly
ushered into eternity.
THE CLARION extends dee pest sym
pathy to all who mourn the loss oil
their loved ones in this sad hour.