The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-11-19
The Responsibility of the Pubic Uti.ities Commission For Railroad Wrecks
 and Deaths Therein


 public corporations in the interest of the people
 Through the activity of the railroad lobby and by that need not be again described the
 But in 1911 upon a. great wave of popular indigna- ton the law enacted and public utilities commission
 The period following the creation of this commission has witnessed disasters rare lines of Con- necent than any similar period in the history of the
 Within seventeen months, which is the approximate period of the life of the commission eight wrecks have cured four of which of the highest class trains
 In these wrecks thirty were killed and more than
 But each wreck was potential disaster averted by OF BAD conD1rIoas TIC o m that i1 rairoad as f. in each wreck, somebody had been killed.
 In the wreck of the Federal Express IA were killed and two score nureds In the wreck of the Port land, Express none were killed and none injured But the Portland Express missed being the worst only by foot two of margin at both ends and one side
 Tottering on the edge of an enbankrnent. above al grave yard it almost from bridge ing street and few feet more of impetus might have toppled from bridge crossing river
 So that each and every wreck upon the New Haven n9s n M the pat few s oathe M h1 ssF6 m pTz m zdGp n e Public Utilities Commission.
 But what the Public Utilities Commission done. What should it have donee
 What is the power vested in the Public Utilities Com get, obtained so narrowly it power to be exer cised only upon may the commission move
 Section 13 of the law is ssDuties lof the com
 ssion relative to safety of public and employees This
 The commission shall as practicable, KEEP FULLY INFORMED as to the CONDITION of the plant, companies as the safety pubic the employees of such companies may be involved, may der such reasonable repairs alterations such plant such changes in the manner of operation be reasonably for the public safety or for the health and safety of such employees.
 That is to 1t was the DUTY of the Public Utill ties Commission to KNOW the condition of the road bed of the New Haven system, to order the bed proved if it was in in dangerous shape
 SOi Iy Eed the neighbohood of at least three of these accidents known to the commission matter ofcourse and renae died by it's order matter of course.
 But the commission was not left with it's attention UNATTRACTED to these conditions
 The wreck of the Federal express occurred sTherel occasion for sweeping inquiry and appropriate order
 The coroner of 11quiry at the time of that wreck i dcated the failure to provide the long cross and ignated that omission criminal negligence.
 The Public Utilities Commission had the power or der the long Did it do it? If not, why not9 The people want answer to that question:
 And the wreck of the Boston express with anoth- finding of criminal negligence from the the of the short cross over.
 It's attention has been attracted to the condition of the New road bed, by fearful disaster again and What part has it taken regard to it's duties relative safety of the public that travels railroads in Con necticut and of the employees that work railroads Connecticut? What has 1t doneY
 And if the charge of criminal negligence to lie against the officers of the New Haven road body especially created sunervise rail- road charged and to prevent the crimes aeged against it?
 For the New Haven road there is some excuse not much but It is hard pressed for money It's divi- dend and interest requirements it's inflated stocks and monies have been practced to necusable degree To the officers of the road the temptation to pare and skn has been great
 But what excuse has the Public Utilities Commission for permitting this paring and skimping The railroad