Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-24
The Rural Death Trap at Work.

Sometimes the auto train grade crossing
collision occurs at a place where there Is
no semblance Of plctection to the public.
Again II occurs at a place where there Is
a so-called barrier to prevent intrepid or
needless people from gaining access 10
the tracks. IL seems TO make but little
difference whether these death traps ere
"safeeuarded'' or not. Where there are
gates the motorist will perhaps dash
across the rails before the Waterman can
lower the barrier. The latest instance Of
fers another variation. Three lives were
DESTROYED and eight persons were seri-
ously injured yesterday on Long Island
when an automobile was struck by
freight train at a crossing notorious for
it's danger and its record of serious acci-
dents The motor car had stopped at the
crossing TO wait while a west-bound train
passed, the gates being down. Just as the
last car Of the train drew flush with the
gates the beam was raised and the chauf-
feur in response to this signal that the
way was clear moved upon the tracks
only 10 be struck by a gondola car In
work train that was being showed east
ward down the line The work train was
derailed and six Of its crew were serious
ly hurt.
Here is a case that demonstrates the
frightful danger OF depending upon the
watchfulness and quickness and trust
worthiness of human agents for the safe
guarding of these points where human
life Is hourly at stake Doubtless the
gateman at this crossing knew nothing
OF the approach of the short work
train, else he would never have raised
ID, ~ anti
on the theory that. seeing the train ap-
proach. he did not think il worth while to
keep the gates down because he was not
aware of the approach Of the automobile.
which was coming from the far side of
the track from his station. In any case
the gateman displayed fatally false judg-
ment and added one more demonstration
to the proof that the safety gate,
which despite an experience that has cost
many hundreds OF lives is still in use
throughout the Emitted States. is factor
rather for disaster than for public Sc
curity.
The only way 10 make grade crossing
safe is TO abolish H. The only place
where pedestrians, drivers or motorists
can cross railway tracks without risking
their lives Is above on bridge or below
by q culvert. The gate that Is manipu-
lated by a man Is no more trustworthy
than the man himself. and this Long
Island disaster is merely the latest Of a
long series OF cases where the gateman
has failed to discharge his duty with suf-
fcient intelligence or alertness to protect
the public.
The tragedy of yesterday on Long
Island may be locally repeated any day
at any one OF the half dozen frequently
used suburban grade crossings in the
District Of Columbia. II may occur at
one OF the Benning death traps, or at that
az Langdon. or that at Takoma Park. or
that at Brookland. or that at Terra Gotta.
II will come, when IL does. without warn
ing and with possibly terrible results. and
then. too late to save the lives that are
there sacrificed. will arise an outcry from
the public and from ofiicials for the tardy
completion OF the work of grade crossing
elimination. that has progressed at great
expense to include a part Of. the capital
territory and has halted leaving human
life exposed at many points of constant
use.
The prayer of the people OF Washington
is that Congress will realize this danger
without waiting for a murderous demon
stration.