The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-15

traffic moving over tho line, and then
adjust their schedules to the require
ments Of safety under these ascer-
taned conditions. II these physical
and traffic conditions are such az to
forbid the running OF passenger trains
as such speed as to meet the rea-
sonnble demands of the travelling
public, the road must make prompt
and speedy Improvement of physical
conditions to the point where trains
can be- operated under schedules
which arc safe, and Mt the same time
reasonably safe. Pending such i'm
provement the schedules should be
heightened to the point of safety.
Excessive Hours.
ut has been brought to the official
attention of the commission In this
connection that crews on freight
trains are sometimes permitted to be
on duty as much as forty to forty
five hours in succession. It Is true
that these excessive hours arc not
compulsory, but rather permisslve, but
the fact remains that the danger arts
ing from this practice is the same,
whether from the one cause or the
other. The lives Of members OF
these train crews are constantly en-
dangered by acts Of omission Or fall
ure to observe rules which are neces-
sary, not only to the public safety,
but to the preservation of their own
lives as well.
st is impossible to consider the
hazards of passenger travel separate
and apart from the freight service,
since an order for the meeting or
passing OF q freight train by pas
scnger train must be as rigidly OBJ
served by both crews for the protec-
tion OF lives as II 1t were for the
meeting or passing OF two passenger
trains. Neither public safety nor the
safety Of train crews can be properly
safeguarded while responsible mem
bers of these crews. either in whole
or in part, voluntarily or involuntarily
have been on duty for periods greatly
beyond the limit OF safety.
However commendable NAV be tho
zeal OF conductor, engineer or flag
man to serve the interests of his en-
ployers. or to serve public interests,
Or however pardonable may be his
desire to earn as much as human
strength will permit, yet experience
has taught the lesson that overtaxed
physical endurance has ever been
one OF the most prolific causes of
disaster.
Occasions, It Is true, may arise
such as unavoidable delays OF trains
In reaching the terminus Of divi-
sion. which require trainmen to ex-
coed the hours of safety in order to
accomplish a natural or normal SER
vice: but such occasions occur with
sufficient frequency on well-regu-
lated railroads to give ample test to
the powers OF tralnmen for sustained
endurance, without voluntarily and
unreasonably overtaxing such powers.
Rules Disregarded.
"The rules under which the Southern
Railway Is operated are those of the
American Railway Association. which
presumably represent the best thought
and experience of tho day on the i'm
portant subjects of transportation.
Whatever may be tho projections or
irnperfections of these rules. the OBJ
servation of them by the employees of
the Southern Railway would have GER
tainly prevented the accident under
investigation. The all-important mat
ter both to the railroad itself and
to the public, Is that the operating
rules shall be observed-observed not
only by one class OF operating off,
GERS or employees, but by all. The
safety of the public and of the train
men is absolutely dependent upon this
observance of operating rules. 1t Is,
therefore. matter of vital concern,
and one which should engage the most
serious attention and earnest thought
of Lawmakers. courts and the whole
body of our citizenship. particularly
including that great army OF worthy
men. railroad employees and others.
whose vocation subjects them to the
daily hazard of the rail.
"a railroad organization, in its oper-
ating department. consists of a great
number of units, each unit represent
ing responsibility to. the public
which cannot be thrust upon another.
Be unit great or small. it must fill
its appointed place, and unfailingly
sustain the maximum pressure brought
to bear upon 1t In the natural order
or plan of the organization. Human
wisdom has failed to provide any
scheme which does not Involve the
human unit
our laws have wisely provided
heavy liability in pecuniary damages
and penalties upon the transportation
company Itself for a failure to guard
we'll the kfe and limb of the citizen.
These laws should continue to be rig
idly enforced; but. be they enforced
ever so we'll. yet they represent at
best only in dollars and cents the lives
of men and women. and give but an
Inadequate commercial return for that
which has been taken, but cannot be
restored
Must Reach individuals.