The San Francisco call., 1910-02-28
Gossip of RaiIwaymen

TLYDE COLBY has written an opera.
Its not at all wonderful that Colby
~ should write an opera, but 1t will
be miracle if it is produced. L is
clever piece of work, and it was an
extremely dificult task to get the
story from him, and much more diff
Acult task to tell the story after per-
son has heard it.
The first scene is laid in the San
Francisco office of the Erie railroad
company. The second, third, fourth,
fifth and sixth scenes are the same as
the first The seventh scene has not
Yet been decided upon. Following the
singing by the chorus in the first scene.
Colby enters and opens mis- desk. IN
the next five minutes Colby answers
several telephone calls. Then c. Ben
iamin Condor of the Hswley lines and
Carleton Crane of the New York Cen
tral lines enter. The plot thickens al
this point and the three hold Whls-
pered conversation.
Then they all go out by the back
door amid the cheering of the chorus.
OF course, the dialogue during all this
scene is omitted on account of lack OF
space The second, third, fourth, fifth
and sixth scenes all show the same
office. as previously mentioned. I'm
til the seventh scene has been decided
upon the remainder of the story will
not be released for publication-at least
not until a copyright has been secured.
A few DAYS ago the interstate COM
nerce commission issued figures re-
lating TO railroad accidents due to
coupling and uncoupling of cars, and
showing beneficial results from the
operation of the safety appliance law.
The figures show that in 1893 the
number of men employed in coupling
and uncoupling cars in the United
States was 349 for each man killed in
the service, while in 1908 the number
employed for each man killed was 9S3,
an increase in the factor of safety
amounting to 1876 per cent. The
number employed for each one injured
in the coupling of cars in 1898 was 1S,
while in 1908 the number was So, an
increase in the factor of safety so far
ss injuries are concerned OF 1852 per
cent.
The number killed for each 1000 en-
ployed in 1898 was three, and but one
in 1908 showing a decrease in the
hazard of railroad employment amount
ing to 66.67 per cent The number in
jured for each 1000 employed in the
service in 1893 was II; in 1908 il was
ing to 1922 per cent.
The department has issued tables on
railroad accidents from causes, and
in this report shows that, while deaths
and injuries to trainmen III all acci-
dents other than coupling have steadily
increased the deaths and injuries to
trainmen from coupling accidents have
progressively decreased.
The Great Northern reports an enor-
nous volume of travel from the middle
west to Montana to take advantage of
the filings for free homesteads in that
state. One train leaving Chicago a
few days ago, the date of the last regu-
lar bimonthly homeseekers excursion,
carried 500 persons in search of land
in the west During the two months
from December 1 to February l there
were 2,010 filings in the land office at
Great Falls, Mont.
A. H. Mofitt, travelling passenger
gent of the Erie in this city. is Ill at
his home.
Victor Jones, city passenger and
ticket agent of the Great Northern at
Sioux City, Iowa, has been appointed a
travelling passenger agent, with ofice
at Des Moines.
G. Radetzki, general superintendent
of the Houston and Texas Central, the
Houston East and West Texas and the
Houston and Shreveport, with Office at
Houston. has resigned 20 engage IN
other business.
The Rock Island lines have decided
upon the laying of the 100 pound steel
rails and selected the Illinois division,
running from Chicago to Rock Island,
as the first section for this improve
nent. There are now being rolled
enough rails to lay 113 miles
A high priced Chicago stenographer
spoke OF her machine in comparison to
a piano, and declared that its rhythmic
click, click and tap. tap. together with
movements of the hands and arms,
gave her the soothing sensations, rest