The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-01-12

at tic HcdIiIlS, SHOWS tnaI the railroad
company should be charged with know
| ledge that their rules are frequently
disobeyed, and the commission cannot
refrain from cOndemnino this condi-
ton.
BLOCK SYSTEM CRITICIZED.
The block system at this point is
! the longest one on the Milwaukee svs-
tenn tits too long for practical opera
ton ana the demand for rapid ser
wee and the large volume of business
uone by the company max it practi-
cally impossible to keep ira ains moving
IN the same direction over twenty miles
apart. This fact persuades the en-
ploA eeS to take Il chance and has a
tendency to cause men in authority to
wink at violations Of the rules when
they have no disastrous, results The
interest of the public, as well as the
stockholders Of the companies. require
absolute fidelity to rules. and if this
practice can be developed it will re-
suit IN a very substantial reduction in
the los, of life ana destruction of pro-
p2rtN. " here il can be shown that
a company permits The violation Of its
rules Which result IN injury to person
and property it should be held strictly
responsible.
THE equipment Of the pass enyer
train consi1 ed of what is termed all
steel construction. This is a mi4nom-
er. The understanding of these parti-
rular cars is made up of two rolled
steel @irder, which extend between the
truck, only and are Joined ON the ends
with east steel combined body bolster
and platform The platform and bol.
,ler frame OF the sleeping car broke
INTO pieces from the shock of the col
ll>ion and the rolled steel oirders we're
uni0jured. Although steel ear con
>lluctlon ls still in the experimental
stage, it appears that it is necessary
TO have the rolled steel girders extend
clear through to the buffers and that
1t Is unWlSe Q combine ca st steel with
rolled steel and expect the casting to
nphold its portion Of the respons bill
ity The castings on the sleeper "Bev-
erIN' were shattered to pieces and its
broken parts exposed to view defective
metal, including several blow and
sand holes. The body of the sleeping
car had steel sides Of s-inch plate tn
hold the ear together There were no
steel uprights, steel longitudinals nor
cross bracing used and the interior
finish OF the ear consisted of wood and
paper. Apparently too great reliance
was placed upon the steel plate sides.
Had the rolled steel girders extended
to the buffers, the chances
are that the car would not have been
telescoped. and the attendant loss Of
HE might have been averted.
SAFETY OF CAR
''As constructed, this type Of car is
probably no safer than the modern
wooden sleeping car. and does not
meet with the public idea of modern
steel equipment.
The comm ssion is of the opinion
hat dumber of the employees con-
'erned in this fatal accident were
guilty OF gross criminal negligence
md recommends that the proper
officials take such action as will insure
he indictment and speedy trial of the
eSponslble parties.
This report together with the find
ngS OF our engineer and the evidence
"a ken will be filed with the attorney
teneral Tor such use as he may wish
o make to make of it in determining
sho are the guilty parties
1t also recommends that there
hOuId be a system of governmental
~
ails and structural iron or steel work
lsed in the manufacture of cars The
number of accidents caused
~ broken rails and switches. and the
imperfect condition OF certain portions
II equipment make it very apparent
hat the interests of both the public
md the railway companies will he best
observed by having such inspection.
1.-The manual block system is in
ommon use throughout the country,
nut the midern tendency is to supplant
with automatic block signals. The
withholds making any
omment upon the safety of the man.
al block system. until it has made
areful investigation. This will bo
one at an early period.
by the commission,
A c. Clausen.
Secretary