New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-17
RAILROAD ACCIDENTS.

4 record Of 1O.1SJ persons killed aud
77.175 injured i'm one year through the
operation Of steam railroad trains IN
the United States is appalling. Yet
these are the figures for the year ended
June so. according 10 the Interstate
Commerce Commission And this does
not include 400 employees killed ana
o.. 363 injured through industrial acct
dents" not connected with the opera
ton of trains. Such a casualty list IS
enough 10 prompt the serious search
made by the commission for the causes
which render railway accidents 50
common.
The conclusion is that the trouble is
due in part 10 excessive speed and Ill
part TO inferior equipment and organl-
Zatlon. When of thirty-One derail-
ments specially investigated by the
commission fourteen are found 10 have
been either directly or indirectly caused
by bad track, the need of much higher
standards Of equipment is apparent
During the year S.2l5 derailments were
reported to the commission. l.SU o!
which were attributed 10 defects OF
roadway and 3.S47 10 other defects OF
continent Thus over half Of these
accidents are confessed by the rail
roads themselves 10 have been due TO
the shortcomings Of their own manage
ment. It is true that steel will some
Ia "A M
disaster may be caused by broken
rail or wheel which no care could fore
see. But adequate inspection and I'M
failing attention 10 every suspected
weakness could reduce those inevitable
acts OF God" aS the old saying Is. 10
an almost negligible figure. Accidents
due 10 rotten ties which will not hold
spil,es and derailments due 10 track so
obviously bad as Ia he unsafe even at
n low speed. as the commission found
some were. are not "actS Of God hut
acts Of railway managers.
1t is clear that much Of the railway
mileage of the United States Is un-
adapted 10 the high speed trains winch
have been put on in the endeavor 10
please Il supposedly impatient pubic
But the popular desire for excessive
sneed. iftit exists. while II explains
does not excuse the recklessness OF the
managers. Their duty Is 10 furniSh
safe trains. and If they cannot AFFORD
10 provide adequate equipment for nigh
speed. to avoid it. Nor has their neg
lect stopped with indifference 10 equip
ment. The commission reports mat
large proportion Of the accidents ar"
due "a derelictions on the part OF EN-
Moves. But it declares that the EN-
Moves themselves are not wholly re-
sponsibe. The great increase III speed
and weight Of trains and the growth oi
traffic have put on employees an undue
strain and multiplied the chances OF
error on their part. Regulations ana
discjpline and mechanical appliances
for safety have not been developed III
nronortion 10 the increased burden put
on both men and equipment
Such a report should arouse railway
men. II should also set the pubic
thinking. The managers must DE
forced to make travel safe, but they
must also have q chance to do II, ON
some roads at least safety IL matter
Of financial ability. They make niue
or no money at established rates, yes
are often forbidden to change them.
They cannot pay higher wages ana
make expensive renewals Withoue
money. and nobody will lend In the
face Of their balance sheets. The pub
lic needs to be reasonable, not only IN
IFS demands for speed, but In its attl-
tude toward railway rates and earn
,ros - human life is 10 he made safe