Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-03
The International Railway Congress.

An assemblage of the railway workers or
the world is an event of far more import
ance than the mere announcement sus-
gests. more than gathering to discuss
business. to display appliances. 1t Is
meeting of the actors in one of the great
est agencies of civilization. and from IL
results of the greatest benefit to MANKIND
are likely to flow. 1t is for this reason that
the converting of the international railway
congress In this city Is to be regarded
as an occasion of the utmost Importance in
the progress of nations Held at Intervals
of five years these international congresses
demonstrate from time to time such ad-
vancement in the railway work that 1t Is
possible for the observer to call the changes
that occur from meeting to meeting fairly
revolutionary 1t is true of this business as
perhaps of no other that it must go ahead
In the very nature of things the railroads
which develop resources and spread popula-
ton must keep pace with the growth that
they stimulate, must indeed keep ahead
of that growth. In order to accommodate
the changes there must be not only more
mileage but better methods of administra-
ton. adapted to the shifting conditions. IL
is for this reason that the discussions OF
the congress and the appurtenant exhibit
ton OF Appliances Will tHlS Ntdl
strate a distinct advance upon the ideals
and standards and performances of five
years ago. just as the congress and the ex-
hibition of 1910 will show a decided I'M
provement over 1905.
This is the first time in its history that
the international body of railroad officials
has assembled in Washington. 1t is an APP
propriate choice. While the capital is not
New York.
Chicago, St. Louis Buffalo and a dozen
other cities, II is important focal point.
1t is a convenient place for the delibera-
lions of a distinguished body of men. 1t is
incidentally in the course of a railroad I'M
provement which cannot fail to be of tech
meal interest to the officials and workers
here assembled.
There is much for this congress to con-
sider The railroad mileage of the world is
vast compared with that of few decades
ago, but it is not sufficient to meet the de-
mands of the times. Not only pioneer
lines, tapping virgin territory in the re-
mote regions, absolutely essential. but the
congested terminals call for consideration,
for improvement. for the cure of undeniable
evils. Furthermore. the science OF safe
guarding the lives and property fntrusted to
the care of the railroad workers is in far
from satisfactory state. Especially in this
country Is the percentage of danger very
high One of the notable evils of the day
IS the frequency with which trains are
wrecked from one cause and another. In
this respect America has much to learn
from Europe and 1t may be that from this
congress will flow results for the strength
ening OF the safeguards against disaster
One of the most conspicuous evils of the
day is the great congestion of the main
traffic lines and the retention of the single
track system on important routes Techni-
cal writers this subject of railroad in
securty-which is better description than
railroad safety-aver that one of the chief
troubles lies IN the personnel. If this is
true if the trainmen and engineers are
careless, or forgetful, or overworked. if
dispatchers are incompetent or unchecked,
the fault lies at the doors of those higher
up What is TO be the cure for this condi-
ton?
The range of topics to be discussed by the
congress is suggestive of the fact that
railroading has developed into one of the
greatest of modern industries. The skilled
worker or the successful administrator
must be a man of exceptional parts. TO
greater degree than ever before the work Is
specialized. Each department is supplied
with the best available talent, trained for
that particular branch. In the ten days of
its deliberations the congress cannot ex-
haust the subjects that are programmed
for consideration. Only by dividing and
subdividing the delegates make head
way through the mass of business. There
is indeed material for a session of three
months, so vast is the work that these
men Of all nations represent