Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-06-15
[. v. Man ON
BRAKE BEAMS.
Read and interesting Report Be-
fore Railroad Men at Allan
tic Convention Yesterday.

ATLANTIC CITY, June 15-Start-
ling facts concerning the use of in-
efficient brake beams on the rolling
stock of many American railroads
were given yesterday to the Master
Car Builders Association convention
by a committee especially appointed
to investigate this subject. Failure
of many lines to comply with the
standards specified by the car build
ers is declared to be responsible for
many of the worst railroad disasters
in recent years. Even the present
standard beams, the convention de-
cided, after hearing the report, are
not strong enough, and while the as
ISOLATION is not ready to at once pro-
pose a new standard, a committee
was named to take up the matter of
a uniform brake beam for all roads
and to report at the next annual
meeting.
Compiled by several of the best
known railroad men in the country,
this report on brake beams was clear
ly the feature of yesterdays conven-
ton. The report was read by Chair
man A. E. Mitchell, of the Lehigh
Valley railroad, and association with
him in extensive investigation in all
parts of the United States, Canada
and Mexico were R. B. Rendig, Pro-
fessor W. F. M, Goss, w. e. Sharp,
and G. w. Wildin.
Said Mr.. Mitchell: ~A general re-
view of the brake situation disclosed
a "deplorable state OF affairs. 1t may
seem a startling statement, but 1t Is
nevertheless. true. that I'm many d.
rections less attention Is now being
given to brake beamsEthe really VII
tai part of the foundation brake rig
ging-than twelve or fourteen years
ago, Notwithstanding markedly chan
ged conditions, as well as greatly In.
creased requirements of service"
Mr.. Mitchell explained that the
present standard brake beam was
adopted in 1889, when the maximum
capacity of freight cars then being
built was 10000 pounds, and, with
very few freight cars, over $4,000
pounds. Then he youchsafed the as
founding information that although
10000, 5000 and 100, 900 pound
| cars are now the rule, and requires
ments of the day have Increased both
the weight and speed of trains, SO
that the present standard beams are
not sufficiently strong for the SER
vice, a very large number OF brake
beams now being used do not eve
meet the specifications of 1889.
Investigation" he said. Shows
that many new freight cars have been
| equipped with beams hung at vari-
ance with the master car builders
standard height, and also at variance
with the height for which the beams
we're designed, This abuse, taken in
| connection with the overlooking OF
weak brake beams, has resulted In
a continually increasing number OF
distorted and broken beams"
Suggestions of the committees
were adopted and then referred to
the new committee, which is to de-
sign a new standard brake BEAM.
and present their decision next year.
At the suggestion of ID. B. Nelson,
engineer of tests for the Pennsyiva'
mia railroad, and also chairman OF
the committee on axle limits, the as
ISOLATION decided that hereafter the
capacity of freight cars shall be
marked not by size of the a but by
the weight-bearing capacity of the
axle. .D4u
w. F. Chaffee, superintendent OF
car inspection on the New York Gem
trial, declared a new device In coup
ling passenger coaches was needed
that could not be operated by pas
sengers on the platform of the car
while in motion. Many accidents, he
said, particularly on immigrant
trains, have been caused by ignorant
passengers uncoupling cars In tram
sit. His suggestions will result In
the association adopting national
rules to Offset this danger.