The Washington herald., 1913-12-20
ROADS HAYED
INL.C.C REPORT
During Year Railway Acct
dents Caused 2S3 Deaths
and Injured 1880.
FOR NEW BUILDING HERE
Commissioners Recommend Construe-
tion of Another Office in
Washington.

Conditions disclosed by its investiga-
ton o: train accidents have emphasized
the need of further action by the Federal
government to provide greater safety for
travellers and employees upon railways.
During the year ended June 80. 1913, a to-
tai of seventy-six train accidents were
investigated. They caused the death OF
2SS persons and the injury of 1850 per-
sons
''The evidence also is that in many
cases operating officers are eognizant of
this habitual disregard of rules, and no
proper steps are taken to correct the evil.
On very many railroads there is little or
no system on inspection or supervision of
the work of train service employees so far
as pertains to those matters which vitality
effect safety"
This is the severe Indictment against
the railroads of the United States found
by the Interstate Commerce Commission
in its annual report which was made
public yesterday. While not sparing the
employees of the roads, the commission
at the same time fiays the officials as
primarily to blame for the mems failures.
Small Care for Safety.
About "A per cent of the serious acci-
dents investigated were due to the mis-
takes of employees, but on this the COM
THE auditing and checking systems
used for detecting tho dishonesty of en-
ployes are marvels of ingenuity and
careful attention to detail, but means of
determining whether trains are operated
in accordance with the requirements of
safety and in conformity with the rules
are almost entirely lacking"
To end the 'angercus condition existing
the commission renews its demand for
Uniform operating rules and assurance
that employees all understand them. 1t
also urges the universal installation Of
automatic safety devices.
1t also condemns the high speed at
which the railroads require enginemen to
operate trains, and the practice of trying
to make up lost time.
Limitations Arc Lamented.
Great emphasis is laid on the neces-
sity of forcing the substitution of steel
and steel underframe cars for those of
wooden construction. Legislation, the re-
port states, should be enacted prohibiting
the use of wooden cars in high speed
throug. traiI: service after a certain
date.
The commission laments the fact that
when 81 train disaster happens. it can
only investigate, find the causes, and
make recommendations as to means for
Temedying the faulty conditions relying
upon the force of public opinion to bring
about the necessary reforms
The work of the commission has in
creased to such an extent that the COM
missioners can no longer take the time
TO hold hearings at other places than
Washington. Details of the increases
for the year in the various departments
are given.
Wants New Building.
During the fiscal year ended June so,
1913. 1876 employees were killed and 1851
employees were injured while coupling and
uncoupling cars. The corresponding fig
ures for the preceding fiscal year were
l92 and 3254. respectively"
The commission asks that it be relieved
of its present duties in connection with
the parcel post system. 1t advises a.
provision in the interstate commerce act
that carrier which fails to demand pay
ment of charges for any service in the
transportation Of property within the
period of ninety days from the time of
the delivery of the shipment be deemed
guilty of giving a rebate to the shipper.
1t asks that a new building be provided
for it in Washington.