New-York tribune., 1907-05-05
SAFETY DEVICES. STXTE OF THE ART. "a
WHAT RESTRICTS uSE. CAUSES q
l. - o. IT,, s>ARE FAILURE sNA

In all the recent discussion of the conduct OF
transportation affairs. and OF the operation of the
railroads themselves which has, for months past
hied the columns Of the daily press. and over
flowed into the pages Of the magazines and period
tcals. there has been too little of that which has
mad an educational value for the community. ana
1ar too much that has caused undue alarm has inn
paired confidence, has aroused violent passion and
mas bred bitter prejudice. While there TO doubt
that the subject of transportation all it's phases
mas needed agitating-for the vastly changed and
stlI changing economic conditions. in which IT is
Such an imposing factor, have brought about
situation the continuance OF which is incompatible
with the progress and welfare of the country-the
satisfactory solution of this difficult problem can
only be. found through sane and temperate delib-
erations- Instead, ignorance, demagogy and malice
nave stepped In 10 confuse counsels with the result
thar the public mind already distrauEht over the
epidemic OF railway disasters has been reduced to
a state IN which it has been utterly, and almost
nopeiessly, unable 10 discover and heed the small
measure Of sober and sound reasoning. that has
sought 10 stay the wild food of hasty and ill-ad-
vsed egisation-largely attributable to the frantic
desire of politicians TO make good"-of explana-
ton that did not explain. of baseIess and foolish
charges. and of malignant invective. and has. in
stead yielded itself up entirely to that peculiar
eHphcable and, in this case, baneful influence to
which in commenting thereon. The Tribune has
given the crowd psychology"
In truth, so befogged by the miasmatic exhala-
tions of class hatred foul msts that too often rise
TO distort the ASPECT of the great economic ques-
uons that present themselves. and by the dense
clouds of misrepresented and misconstrued facts
misconceiEed arguments and Illogical conclusions.
have been the real issues that the public have
been, and most probably is yet. quite bewildered.
For which reason. it is thought, it will the more
readily, now that certain measure of calm has
succeeded the storm, welcome this contribution
toward the data and evidence upon which it must
ultimately build up the opinion. and pass the judg
ment, which the law in free America That
the said contribution may-to the fullest extent
serve its purpose. it may be we'll the very
TO present that which win aid the reader to the
attainment of that impartial attitude which. only,
will enable him to justly weigh its components. He
has taken long step in this direction when he has
reminded himself that railroad men-whether those
who construct, who supervise. who operate. who
in any capacity serve the rairoads-are, in the
average, made of the clay he, sub
3ect to the same human limitations. cherish the
same ideals OF civic duty. of patriotism. and OF
personal and business morality and have the
appreciation of responsibility for intrusted
TO them, and the honest pride in work well
done; and when he has learned that as well in
formed Official of company Of worldwide repute
the business of which is so intimately connected
with the railroads 20 give him unobstructed
view of the workings of all OF their departments
and whose experience and professional education
have we'll fitted him 10 avail himself TO the utmost
Of this sdvantage-has put it, 'While certain