The daily sentinel., 1913-12-17
BLAME WRECKS ON
OVERWORKING Of
TRAIN CREWS
Violations Of the Sixteen Hour
Law Partially Responsible
For Accidents.
A ssociated Press.

n osotidi VI Accc.
Washington, Dec. 17.-"Violations
OF the law limiting the service of
train employees on American railroads
to sixteen consecutive hours go to the
very heart of the efficiency and safe
ty of train operation" said Commits
sioner Charles c. McChord, comment
ing upon statement issued today by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
analyzing the monthly reports of in
terstate railroads on hours of service
during the fiscal year ending June
80, 1913.
Nearly 100000 violations of the
16-hour law were reported by 269
railroads during the year, the roads
submitting various reasons why such
violations were necessary. The COM
missions analysis points out, how
ever, that while this figure may ap-
pear abnormal to the lay mind, it
must be remembered that 251, Ill
men were employed in handling the
trains during the year and that the
excess service probably would not ex-
ceed one instance TO each employe.
"The difference in efficiency and
safety of operation between various
railroad SYSTEM" Mr.. McChord said,
lis shown clearly by the commits
sion's analysis in the marked dispar-
ity between the ratio of excess SER
vice to mileage between railroads
serving practically the same territory
For instance, one of the eastern roads
operating more than $500 miles of
tracks, reports 5,224 instances in
which trainmeI were on duty for per-
iods longer than those provided by
law; while another road in the same
territory. with a mileage of less than
$500 miles, reports 22,663 such in
stances.
Commissioner McChord. within
whose supervision comes the actual
administration of the hours of service
act, directed the preparation of the
analysis.
The law provides a miximum Of
sixteen hours as the limit of contin-
uance service for trainmen engaged
in the physical operation of trains
This law admittedly is being violat-
ed continually by the railroads
many times unayoidably. The car
riers are required to report each in
stance in which an employe served
more than sixteen hours consecutive
ly, fine of $500 being the penalty
for failure to report.
The analysis shows that derail-
ments affored the most prolific cause
of excess service, SS,317 cases being
attributed by the carriers to that gen.
eric cause. In 1880 instances, the
delays were due to coupler and draw
bar defects, while 1873 cases were
attributable to miscellaneous car de-
fects. Landslides, high water and
fire were reported by the carriers in
yolved. as responsible for 1885 cas-
es: and congestion of traffic resulted
in 1882 employees exceeding the
limit of service. In 10,620 instances
the excess service was caused by
track defects and distractions not re-
sulting in collisions or derailments;
while 9,910 cases were due primarily
to collisions.
"As result of the prosecutions
instituted by the Commission" the
analysis points out, 1.-The number OF
instances of excess service reported
during the last six months, as COM
pared with the corresponding fig
ures for preceding years. has shown
a marked reduction
my belief is" said Commissioner
McChord, "that the carriers involved
will concede to the Commission an
alysis OF their reports such degree
of attention as will enable them, by
apprising themselves of the prevent
able causes of excess service, to ell
inmate the majority of instances in
which employees heretofore have been
permitted or required to remain on
duty for longer periods than sixteen
consecutive hours"