The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-28
THE RECENT ACCIDENT.

All of the parties concerned in the
serious accident which occurred not
long ago at Twelfth and Fillmore
streets, when street car collided with
fire department hook and ladder
truck, seem to be striving to Guido each
other with protestations that nobody
was to blame. This is the usual proce-
dure in Topeka on all such occasions
When automobiles mix with each other
or with street cars and when the latter
smash into wagons and other vehicles,
or the reverse occurs, the first thing
that everybody interested does is to
absolve all others from blame. They
60 Alphonsing and Gastoning around
like they feared that some ones feel
ing might possibly be offended if the
slightest word should be spoken or sug-
gestion made that might place, the
blame for such an accident on the
shoulders of any one. This may speak
we'll for the forbearance of the people
of Topeka. But it would also seem to
show a lack of judgment. For if there
is no disposition to fix any RESPONSE
bi1ity for such accidents. not the right
amount Of care will be taken in the
future to avoid similar ones.
1SEndpS IlODOOJ 40 " -OA ~
accident of the other day which nearly
resulted in the death of two or three
of the city's firemen. 1t would appear.
however. that the notorman of the
street car convicts himself Of careless
ness in the very statement which has
been accepted and hailed as showing
that the accident was unavoidable. Or
perhaps this carelessness belongs on
f1vxrrf
company for permitting its cars to be
run in the fashion that this particular
one was, and as are all the other cars
which are operated on the same line. The
motorman says he did not see the hook
and ladder truck rushing south on Fill
more street until he was right on it as
a house on the corner of Fillmore street
cuts off the view north on that street.
If this house does cut off that view,
the crossing at Fillmore and Twelfth
streets, for vehicles running south on
Fillmore and for cars running west on
Twelfth street, would appear to be a
particularly dangerous one. That fur
nishes reason a-pIenty why the utmost
caution should be used by motormen
in passing this crossing at all times.
Not only the motormen, but the officials
of the company who make up their run
ming schedules, should see that great
care is used in operating cars at such
a dangerous crossing and at all other
similar crossings in the city. Because
of the width of the Topeka streets, the
wide parkings and the fact that most
of the corner houses, except in the
business section of the town, are set
well back from the sidewalks, there is
generally an excellent view of the APP
proaches to nearly all the street cross
ings for the motormen and the drivers
of other vehicles. But where these
views are hindered by a house, as is
the case where the accident in question
happened, especial pains should be ia
ken by motormen and vehicle drivers
in approaching such a corner.
It is also a notorious fact that the
street cars on the cross town lines are
operated altogether too fast, except,
possibly for the convenience of the COM
pany at all hours of the day and
night, and particularly during the night
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