The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-17

the large proportion of train acct
dents caused by dereliction Of duty by
the employees involved. The commits
son believes that as a rule there are
no men that have a keener apprecia-
ton of their responsibilities than rail-
road trainmen and enginemen. and yet
It is pointed out that 63 per cent of
the whole number OF accidents investl-
gated were caused py mistakes on the
part Of employees
There is a disposition in some quar-
ters" continues the report, TO charSe
these lamentable errors to failure 81
discipline ana to hold employees wholly
responsible for such failure. This Is
d superficial view which contains no
promise Of effective remedy.
"A remarkable increase in the speed
and weight OF trains within recent
years. and the crowding OF tracks and
terminals caused by the movement OF
an enormously enlarged volume OF
traffic have greatly increased the du-
ties and RESPONSE bilitics of train SER
vice employees and multiplied the
chances of error on their part Not
vithstanding these added duties ana
RESPONSIBILITIES which the condition
Of modern railroading have imposed
upon employees. the methods of discl-
pline and regulations calculated to In
sure safety in train operation nave
remained practically unchanged.
ITO prevent railroad collisions ade-
quate measures must be taken, nrst'
70 reduce the chances OF human error
10 minimum. and second, to neutral
ire the effects Of such error when II
erada
ouslv made by the commission for
legislation requiring the standardlsm
of GENERATING rules and the use of the
block system were designed TO reduce
the probability Of mistakes by en-
Moves. and those recommendations are
once more presented for consideration
OF the Congress.
Uniformity and consistency in oper-
atfng rules are necessary TO secure
safety. and it is not probable that a
satisfactory code. which will meet the
demands Of modern operating condi-
lions. can be secured without appro-
pirate action by the Federal govern
ment."
Excessive speed Disastrous
The commission points out that eX-
cessiye speed has been an important
factor in many train accidents. anu
that conditions Of safe operation are
often ignored in the effort to brlns
fast trains in on time. This Is PAD
practice. for which thu travelling pup
lie is largely responsible. and ii should
J.. discontinued Adequate measures
should he taken to compel low speed
wherever conditions require IL whether
schedules are maintained or not
The total number Of casualties on
FItsI
Iuu. 90 was IsO.I23. Of which le.Ss9
v-ere persons killed and 1888 in
,.-ed. These figures indicate an in
crease over the previous year Of lSs
KILLED and 1879 injured OF the total
uur,sser 81 casualties. 400 railway en-
Moves were killed and 1858 injured
-orough industrial accidents hap
rersnes incident to railroad business
nut no, due TO the operation Of trains.
An analysis Of the figures Furnished
%, the steam ROADS shows that OF the
number OF persons killed. BIS were
passengers. 1885 employees. and e.oS-
other persons. trespassinS ana not
,r.suassfue. indicating an Increase OF
-tfrtv-fhre- in tho total number o.
! en-p.oveS killed. A decrease Of thirty b.
elxh, In the total number Of passen-
gers killed. and an increase % ls4 II
/ .he total number 81 persons killcr
other than employs and passengers.
I'm The last class were many victims
/ u grade crossings.
! 81 the persons injured. 1855 were
/ rasscng~rs. 1852 employees. and 10
! -fs pcrsous other than passengers and
1 employees.
Fiai.oratc details arc given IN the re-
! port % the routine work q the com
! mission during the year Generally
90 shows a larce increase. The Nun
Der - formal complaints nied was sSy
n dec-saSc % 1Zs. a. COMPARED VIII
n. rrev4ous year. rs cases were dls
tos.d o. ~ increase ~ 12e. The com
-r..4.on eouduDtcd f.is4 hf7rinEs.
| corrparsd vita pa che previo's yer
| su5 took izs. 900 pages % testimony