The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-06-25
MORE ABOUT G. N. WRECKS


II these same trains are run at
high rate of speed, in order to be ON
time as per schedule wrecks are
more likely to occur by reason of bad
track conditions.
Labor is scarce and expensive.
Track material costs lots of
money.
II Q manager spends much money
In track repairs he Of course cuts
down dividends-and loses his popu-
sarHy with the directors-and most
fikely his job.
Naturally a railroad company, like
every other corporation, is out for
the MONEY.
In the conduct of big railroad
company the watchword is PROF
ITS. ANY measure that tends to re-
duct the DIVIDENDS is regarded as
bad business.
The long and frightening list of
wrecks and disasters on the Great
Northern Railway lines is constant
subject for comment by the travelling
public.
Of course, people take different
views. Some say the company
should run it's trains more slowly:
this, in a measure, is being done all
over theUnited States, with a view to
greater safety. But the majority of
people insist that the company
should repair and improve it's
tracks.
That they need it the company it
self admits, and pleads in excuse
that labor is unavailable and materi-
al slow in delivery. Granted that
these contentious are true, is the
Great Northern using it's best efforts
to get labor and new ties, rails, ETC.?
Perhaps-perhaps not; there is no
way for the public to know.
The people who patronize the road
only know that wrecks are more nu-
merous, one or more every week, and
that the reason why" is invariably
said to be Bad Track.
Someday-let us hope-Federal
or state officials will be appointed
whose business it shall be to inspect
the track of all railroads. and order
repairs when not voluntarily made,
when needed, by the companies
themselves.
The country is fast approaching a
condition where government super
vision of track conditions is impera-
tive. The Missouri Pacific is a not
able example. The G. N. is a close
second.
Under Act of Congress approved in
1901 it is the duty of railway officials
on all roads engaged in interstate
commerce to submit a monthly re-
port under oath to the interstate
Commerce Commission of all COLI
sions of trains, total or partial de-
railments, or accidents to passengers
or employees. A compilation of these
reports from Jan. 1, 1908, to Jan. /,
1907, shows the following grand to-
tai of calamities.
DEPARTMENTS, 1884.
Loss in money, $19,434,095.
Persons killed, 1914.
Persons injured, 17,442.
This appalling score is piling up
fast.
Thus far in 1907 an unusually
large number of people have been
killed, the Southern Pacific getting
more than it's share. It has been
said of that system that 1t has re-
tired from the transportation bust
ness and gone to butchering. This
Is an extreme comment, but it serves
to show the attitude which the pub
aE is coming to hold toward the
managers OF railroads who, to boost
profits, willfully permit passengers
to ride to death.
The Great Northern should do
Something-To appease the people
it should at least authorize its agents
to give out the truth about wrecks,
and should itself say why repairs are
not made. II it has a genuine excuse
for the wrecks that occur SO fire.
quently, the people would feel more
kindly toward the big company that
owns the Valley if it would come out
and tell what that excuse is.
Recent wrecks have been free
from fatalities.
But this has, been due to. luck, and
not TO the company's. safeguards.
Under the law Of probabilities some
gloomy day will see half hundred
passengeFT killed 4ia-oas- 81 -shs- anm-