The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-11-09
Letter TO Times Tells How
Fight Was Waged to Save
Human Lives.
VALUED HIGHER
THAN DOLLARS
Editorial Inspires Article Pointing
Out Good Effects and Need of
More Legislation.

10 the Editor or The Washington Times.
In a recent issue Of your paper you
had an editorial entitled. Value on
Life Placed Higher Than Dollars" II
this was only true there would be no
need OF bothering Congress TO enact
laws in regards TO safety appliances
The railroads are going to spend the
approximately $5O,O00.000 you mention
because Congress passed a law re-
curing the railroads TO do what they
would not do of their own accord.
The railroads are fully conscious
that hundreds of men are yearly be-
ing killed and injured. but they paid
no attention 10 this. They found il
easier to 20 into court and fight the
damage suits-this method would give
their attorneys something 70 do and
keep them polished" up.
You are mistaken. The railroads do
not place life higher than dollars.
The writer knows how bitterly they
opposed the law which Will force
them 70 spend approximately $780,
100000. They fought this legislation
10 the limit
A whole army Of attorneys, ex-Sena-
tors. and Congressman, etc, were at
the Capitol at all hours. and nearly
worked their heads of 70 defeat the
safety appliance bill.
Fighting Other Bill.
Before Congress at the present time
is the locomotive boiler inspection bill
II is being fought 10 the limit by the
railroads. In their hgut they are be-
ing aided by some newspapers who
viii publish what the railroads hand
out The balance OF the newspapers
say nothing. one way or the other
Now. here are tho facts: In the
United States ali locomotive boilers
are inspected, or are supposed TO be
inspected, by inspectors employed by
and reporting to the railroads them
selves In the United ngdon-and,
in fact. all foreign countries-the In
spectors are employed by and report
to the government. Here I wish TO
remark that all steamboat boilers IN
the United States are inspected by
Government inspectors. and the pro-
posed bill merely is asking that the
Government extend its police powers
10 locomotive boilers
The railroads, through Theodore
Curtis, superintendent Of machinery
Of the Louisville and Nashville Rail
road Company. presented to Congress
a report OF locomotive boiler disasters.
and this report stated that for the
past five years. ended 1909. the num-
Der of boiler disasters numbered 7.711
with q 7S7 boilers in service
In the United Kingdom, in the same
period. 22,739 boilers We're In service.
and only forty-seven boiler disasters
occurred. Though, as viii be seen by
the above figures. the number OF boil
ers in service in the United States is
about twice as many as IN the United
Kingdom, the number OF disasters In
the United States is approximately
165 times greater than 81 the United
Kingdom.
Toll Of Accidents.
The 7,71I disasters referred 20 re-
suited in 265 men being killed and
1856 injured In the United Kingdom.
according to the off.ciG, reports of
the board Of trade. railway depart
ment, the forty-seven disasters re-
suited in four persons being killed
and ffty-three persoLs injured
1t IS not necessary in order to ope>
rate a railroad that a given number
of men must be killed and injured
each year. In 1852. when the present
q
10 boilers was pending, the railroads
Of that country made the same claims
as made by the railroads Of this coun-
try. Their whole plea Is that they
are doing the best they can, and can
do no more.
About thirty years ago the people
Of the United Kingdom, aided by the
press, concluded something must be
done to stop the slaughter OF wage
earners. In the United States this
work has just started: men are nova
days awakening 20 the fact that they
must put principle above party.
The railroads for years have man
aged to defeat legislation in behalf
of the railroad employees. The situa-
ton is changing. Various organiZa-
lions are now sending to Washington
at each session of Congress a repre-
sentative who. thrOugh a report. in
forms each member, regardless OF
where he lives, what is what.
The writer writes you these facts.
as L want i known that $50, 600, 200
outlay is the result of legislation
urged by the railroad employees. anG
which was secured by the influence
and aid Of President Taft and others.
Yours truly. r ). JEFFERY.