The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-09-23
THE PRICE OF RAILROAD ECONOMY

Another official report a Great Northern wreck
not made by railroad officials however-proves that the
Hill system figures it better economy and management to
let trains burn up and constantly expose passengers and
train to death by muation and cremation than to
expend money in keeping the roadbed repair
State Inspector Perley finds the Oriental limited
wreck at Vulcan due to missing tie plates He shows that
the rails have been left without the iron connections that
designed to hold them together.
Because woou plates had not been replaced the rails
turned under the heavy train and the loss of than
100000 worth of property was the result. By miracle
OF good fortune of the passengers ground to
pieces For this the railroad deserves not the slightest
credit The death trap permitted. That passengers
escaped is due only to their good luck
The condition of track prevails all the state
more particularly the eastern side of the mountains
long list of wrecks in this region be easily cited
to prove criminal carelessness in the of Hill roads.
There is one reason for this aside from corporation
greed demanding the greatest possible dividend from
every mile of track, that has not yet been mentioned This
is the exclusive employment of Jap section hands by the
Hill system The great majority of these employees are
unable to understand word of English They do their
work through interpreter The pay of section bosses
is not sufficient to hold proficient men in that position
Even competent every respect to take intelligent
of track would be greatly handicapped in
plishing good work with of Asiatcs in whom he
has confidence and for whom he could have nothing in
common. Good men not compelled in these times to
their living by bOSsng cOOlie gangs.
The natural result of this is track that fails beneath
trains with appalling regularity Loss Of life and constant
risk when compelled travel is the price the public is
paying for this sort of economy that has evil effect
everywhere except in Wall ST. The Japs hired for
half what white would cost They put in their time
under the supposed supervision Of white man. who stays
as far away from them possible.
Here is another feature of the condition that
Nltay affects the entire government In the event Of
between the United States and Japan it would be
possible for the japanese section hands who the Hill
and Hartman roads to prevent the transportation Of
troops and munitions to the Pacific coast. On given
signal they could wreck every bridge and practically up
root the transconnental systems from the Mississippi
river west.
single nights concerted work by the Jap force
maintained by the railroads would accomplish ruin it
would require months to repair In that time the cities
of the Pacific coast unless able to protect themselves
would be shot to pieces by japanese fleets and coast de-
lenses blown into the air.
This, however, is the remote and minor consideration
at present What the public should demand and only
by compelling is law holding railroad magnates
directly responsible to criminal charge for wrecks
caused by defective track Dangerous condition of ties
and rails if made the grounds for heavy fines though
wreck has not yet occurred, will be speedily remeded
AT present the railroads proving the Indifference
OF the American public to loss of life. The individual
takes the chances the theory that luck will pull him
through
Meanwhile the slaughter goes State and nation
alike stand by, helpless and thereby become parties to
what is nothing less than murder