The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-11
KANSaS C0MMEHT
WHAT oNE. .lGIRL DID.

r :
breaklng IN upon the procession or
pIunuerlng railroad employees whose
caIslessness, neglect or simple stu
pld1ty nave cost many lives during the
past twelve months is the remark
ably intelligent action of Miss Nora
brecKenrldge, night Rock Island OPP
orator at a small station In Kansas.
In sharp contrast to the fatal mistake
Of man operator at Volland on the
same road and on the same night,
Miss breckenridge prevented serious
wreck by her presence of mind and
resourcefulness
Details of the girl operators COM
mendable action were given in the
news dispatches, but further reference
should be made to her fidelity to duty.
BY some blunders a freight train was
ordered to clear from the little station
or Arlington just as another freight
train, headed toward the first, was
leaving point two stations away.
When the mistake was discovered it
was too late for either operator to
stop the trains in the usual way, and
at the intermediate station there was
no night operator. Miss Breckenridge,
on a chance, called the middle station
Then she began to exercise a rare
quality of good sense. Had she been
an ordinary operator she would have
sat stupidity while the trains dashed
toward each other, relying on the fact
that she did not issue the orders and
could not be held responsible for the
inevitable wreck. But not being an
ordinary operators she went to the
telephone and called up the inter-
mediate station where her father
lived. She could not awaken him, but
she directed the telephone operator
at the other end of the line to call
farmer who lived near the track.
When she had aroused the farmer she
told him to proceed with all haste to
get lantern, wrap a red cloth about
1t and flag the oncoming trains. This
was done and the trains stopped near
each other in safety.
In all likelihood the officials of the
railroad will do something in recogni-
ton of this action of Miss Brecken-
ridge. She may even become hero |
inc with the inevitable flood of matri- |
nonafl offers that spring forth when |
ever a girl gains measure of pub |
lefty. But the real. value. of her ac-
ton in saving wreck is in the fine |
example 1T offers to other railroad en-
ployes who have not yet awakened to |
full appreciation of those qualities inn
piled in safeguarding trust. This is
only an obscure. incident, and will be
forgotten soon beyond the narrow |
confines of the community in which it |
but its effect should be last |
ng in inspiring others with the spirit |
IF resource and energetic activity IN /
he face of rgencies.-Kansas City
Journal. $3.50
THE STANDARDS WAY.
1--WE talk a great deal about the
Standard Oil company and its raw
lges," says the Lawrence Gazette, but
We should remember that the Stand
Lrd company brought oil down to one
bird the price we paid for 1T before
he company began piling up millions
# profits. The country has no par
ocular kick coming on the Standard
oil company" Out in Colorado there
5 a town that is absolutely desolate
without an soccupant-though there
appear on the site any number of
me buildings. The Standard Oil com
any ruined this town and crushed
own its produceAs sold their COM
modify at five CENTS. a gallon. The
itandard gave oil away in the same
erritory. If the esteemed Gazette
esires to defend tneroil trust 1t will
ave to defend its methods also
Times.