New-York tribune., 1907-05-05
THE AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP.

Regarding the automatic train-stop: 1t has, for
many years, been recognized that il would be ad-
Vantageous TO have some attachment connected
with the danger signal in such a way that train
should be stopped automatically in case the engi-
neer ran past Il. The many objections to the use
of such attachment, in general railroad service.
have, up 10 the present time prevented its adop-
ton, except in few very special cases. These OBJ
scons 70 It's general use remain as strong as ever
II the minds Of the great majority Of Intelligent and
discriminating railroad officials. IN certain
where the tracks are well protected from weather,
the conditions of its movement are simple and uni
FORM, II has been found practicable 10 an auto
without the Intervention Of the motorman engi-
neer IN case the danger signal is passed. 1t may
tentio from railroad ofiicaIs and that If is quite
possible that experiments viii be made with them
on the steam railroads; but up to the present time
their has been confined 10 three or four roads
OF heavy traffic operated entirely by electricity and
On the tracks OF which it is possible 10 give the
The outcry for the instant instalation-on all the
systems has probably been more insistent than for
any OF the other safeguards: and these, too, have
mat held The fact that II has only been Installed
Upon about oneffth Of the railroad mileage OF the
Railing has not been tried like the air brake,
the automatic coupler and the heating methods
.yr which reason II IS not 10 be wondered at that
.ne me railroads have gone about its adoption slowly
ana cautiously. Indeed. the suggested legislation
specific Legal restrictions. or requirenents would
a5ly. on mechanical errors, has been urged by the
maker Of the system most extensively used IN this
Igplhtry Re might have added another, viz, such
legislation; this would likely inspire with per-
q impractcabe devices-simllar the army of
dansfIths who for so long time hindered the true
49, oPgaent OF the acetylene gas generator. and
mace lie burden TO the competent and adequately
EQUIPPED makers thereof-which would work an in
y yodg % me entire safety appliance trade TO the
Tosds % ana 70 the public generally. The latter does
else thar tbeS f5eether - With ib o Most % thieb 3i
faCf fnEfa aatlx
Dfng . bear upon them. in order TO prevent their
llshest technical skill the whole world produce,
e q, ,lo%n is SHOWN elsewhere in this article.
lbe opinion, expressed by one prominent in the
tlaaa agernent y the concern which turns out per-
% the effect that. Existing laws on the subject
eo1nler n a6 nfisaon la to the train brake automatic
lie few 1 ssddely car heating-are all right for
but should not 0n dare very properly be ]
authority for tbe ~ at t % the roads & He Is also
pLi@lces. The conviction then mus, imnrSss az H.
seIi that In railroad safeguaTds fnr IN ~
e,.soi.is @ 70 oe expected we must look TO those
gd,1s hInents. those foster brothers of The
aSsi railroad corporations tfaf@tbroneh q p1ocnse
~ I'm 49, t almost become part and parcel
iiF4N' tIldt nave gained under their argis All
1heTe y u practical insight into The nbvsicaI needn
session Of all there is OF technca EnosIe. ~ pos pos
,.s ~, shtil @ ol me plants for utilizing such
from extended practical experience neIh9a 10
=, .ilr''t5 ana ana exhaustive tests, and which 20
other words that have the general and on.iI,atI
Equipment IN men, machinery and means ~, =,
laen ana above al others for their several r,i ~
Ils- Nor does this mean that the door ~ az,
Igslunlis Is 10 be closed 10 other asDrants-far
rom H. Tor the broadminded men at the helms 90
aesse @ concerns are ever ready 10 listen to and en-
cpuIase the real inventor, they also are 10 -
,osa a the meritorious invention the chance MAI
may lead 10 its adoption. This, however is ,teIi
Nlo~n, as is also the fact that they are the pos
sssors Of the peculiar ail-round mechanical CHM
Aent, ana of The other especial facilities and ~
ssysfces. which will best give form 10 the inven
LII a ard insure for il proper and satisfactory tests
-" well known ali this II may be gathered fron,
~ statement Of one Of these principals who has
49, many years WinnoWng the grain OF effective
iisoM the husks Of abortiye invention, saying III
- principle never 10 turn down an inventor
sstLHafiy. without giving his invention as reason
vi CONSIDERATION as lirnita ions OF time and skin
~, permit he plsintively deprecates the fact
- make myself great nuisance our engi-
q - - that way, and have caused them 10 waste