The Washington times., 1909-11-16
Commissions Discuss Topic
When Convention Opens
Sessions Here.
AIM TO PROTECT
ALL TRESPASSERS
Ways Discussed TO FOrestalI HEAVY
Fatalities by Persons Cross
ing Tracks.

The various State railroad commits
sions Of the United States are trying
TO devise means whereby the lives Of
trespa ssers-persons walking across and
along railroad tracks-may be saved.
During the fiscal year ended June 30,
l907-the most recent year, concerning
which statistics are avanable-there
were 5,612 of such trespassers killed.
and 5,5l2 were injured. This, in view
of the fact that hundreds of grade
crossings have been established. and
also large number of railroad aoue-
duets, where street traffic is heavy, have
been built. Likewise there is a def
cheney in the Federal safety appliance
law. for while many lives have been
saved by safety appliances, casualties
10 railroad employees show a constant in
crease IN number.
Convention Begins Work.
These facts developed today at the
opening session OF the twenty-first con
venuon Of the National Association of
Railway Commissioners, which will be
at work for three days In the rooms
OF the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. The association began its sessions
this morning. when sixty-six delegates
representing State railroad commissions
and several street and interurban rail-
way associations In twenty-six States
OF the Union, were called 10 order by
President Martin S. Decker, a member
Of the. New York State service com
mission.
The other officers present were First
Vice President r. Hudson Burr, of Flor
ida; Second Vice President Charles f.
Staples, o. Minnesota: and William Il.
Connolly, Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. as secretary.
The association during its sessions
viii have many important matters for
consideration which viii be nut to-
geJher in the shape Of a report and
made public among the matters re
gaTded as especially important being
the amendments to the interstate COM
merce law including the additional iur-
lsdictiOn proposed To be granted the
commission; railway capitalization: uni
form rules for car service, and denlur-
rage and uniformity IN freight classif-
cations.
Events of Day.
The main events Of today's sessions
were addresses by the president Of the
Operation" w A H. Smith. vice Dresi-
dent OF the New York Central Railroad.
The report Of the committee on safety
appliances. which is prepared for sub
mission takes up the subject of the
loss OF life and limb due 10 railroad ac-
cidents in detaff
The initiative work, the report urges
should be done by the Interstate Com
merce Commission. Then the moral and
active support OF the association should
follow.
A report on demurrage, a form Of re-
bate, VIII be submitted during the CON
Eenuon, but IL is not thought that any
decided action will be taken bv TIE
association at this meeting. J. c. Lin
coin, OF ST. Louis. viii deliver q paper
on amendment Of Laws and OF RAN
way Rules and Regulations Required bv
Shipping Interests"
Among the delegates attending the
convention We're. George Il. MOntgom-
cry, Of Georgia. @. ". HilIman of
kentucky, r. Hudson Burr. OF FIOrfda.
7. W. DOugheTty, of 0uth Dakota. Holm
w Crockett, OF Arkansas: O. p. Goth
lin, Of Ohio: D. w c. Smith of Norfh
Dakota John ". Webb. Of MississiDni-
Edward W. McGrew. of St. Paul: VII
lard II. Smith. Of Chicago. IL Warner
Hi, OF Georgia; r. r. Allen, Of Arkan-
sasi F. c. Robinson, of South Dakota.
d J. Palmer, of Iowa, O. H. Hughes
and J. c. Sullivan. of Ohio. III q
Brown, Of North Caroline: c. A Rad
climet Of Ohio @. ". William. of Ken
lucky; Hartford Erickson, Of Wisconsin.
H d. LOveland. Of California, and n
De-