The oasis., 1908-08-15
Killed.
Injured.

The striking and outstanding fact here is
that majority OF the killed, number in ex-
cess OF passengers and employees combined
who lost their lives during the year, were tres
passers. This great waste Of life was due to no
fault OF the railroads. IL was chargeable
wholly to willful carelessness-in most cases
aggravated by equally willful breach of the
law-on the part OF those injured
s+4
And yet the Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion reports for the past five years indicate
that about Seyenty-tye per cent of the train
accidents and fatalities are due to diSobedience
Of rules and negligence OF employees.
This statement bearing the weight and auth
ority OF an impersonal commission needs no
corroboration. II is not however, merely sup
ported, but illuminated by the word OF one OF
the ablest writer's on the subject In his
trenchant and vivid Confessions of Railroad
Signalmanp in the Atlantic Monthly, Mr.. J. o.
Pagan gives the point of veiw of an experienced
employee. His articles have won him high
praise. No railroad men Will grudge Mr. Pagan
any distinction his articles may bring him
They are valuable contribution to the sub
Ject and though they are not without criticism
OF railroad managerial which | shall allude
latter-they shed real light on the whole sub
lect. Two OF his conclusions ale OF the utmost
Importance.
Nevertheless" he says, Gin spite of many
appearances TO the contrary, the problem OF the
efficient and safe running of trains is very
SllHpie OHc. IL Is not n QueS-
tion OF rules or safety devices but OF personal
conduct and habits Of thought; and again,
referring TO fatal accidents. Now as IL seems
10 me, the all-important facts in these cases do
not relate to the nhtule of the rules, nor even
to their non enforcement, but to the down.
right neglect OF railroad men (employees) to
do as they are told ~
Few officials would be bold enough to make
so vigorous a criticism of railroad employees
as this, and its candOr is public service. do
of IN trIta ltaxrf fnfal of
their fair share OF accountability for accidents.
In fact, officials and employees are both in
volved in the regrettable conditions which
prevail Mr.. Pagan does, however, put his
finger on the places when he says that lack of
discipline is the root of the trouble.
The details of methods employed to
secure efficiency OF employees and main
tain a high state OF discipline as set
forth by Mr.. Kruttchnitt, are very in
teresting, but the limited space at COM
mard OF the writer prevent their incor-
poration in this article so it is necessary
to hasten to his conclusions, and the
remedies he suggests.
The cause lies in the fact, which cannot be
denied, that the efficiency OF railroad en-
Z
And this deterioration cannot be compensated.
railroad is much more dependent upon its
human than upon its material equipment for
safe and efficient operation. No matter how
generously every material equipment is pro
vided, how lGvishly capital is expended for
improvement of roadbed. additional side
tracks, terminals, safety devices, and the like,
the outlay is useless unless the road is efficient.
ly manned. II is therefore altogether regret
table that the attitude of our EMPLOYEES has
been changed. That il has been changed from
loyalty and consideration to indifference If not
to disloyalty, no observer will deny. And the
influence which has brought about this change
is unquestionably the present state of public
opinion which condemns all corporations in
discriminatory.
Railroad employees naturally reflect the
state of public opinion. When II regards the
rights of corporations lightly, or questions
whether they have any rights the attitude of
employees will respond. Similarly the attitude
of trades unions affects the spirit and the
efficiency Of employees. Mr.. Pagan, writing as
an employee, expresses the opinion that The