Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-12-19
RAILROADS PAY
LITTLE HEED To
PUBLIC SAFETY
This Is the Conclusion Drawn
Today BY the Interstate
Commerce Commission In
Report To Congress.
MUCH ATTENTION TO CASH
Blame For Much of the Rail-
roads Death Harvest Was
Charged To The Manner of
Train Operation.
MUCH ATTENTION TO CASH
Special by un.tso Pres. wsrs.

6pectoI by t7nttsS Press yps@s
Washington, Dec. 19:-Ra''roafs
pay too mucn attention to the lash
register and too little to human safe
ty. This was the conclusion drawn
today by the Interstate Commerce
Commission in its annual report to
congress-.
Laying upon human fallibility and
negligence the blame for much of the
railroads death harvest, the /. G. c.,
nevertheless, took severely to task
railroad managers, and underlings
charged with train operation.
Nearly seventy-four per cent. of
the total wrecks investigated by the
commission were charged directly to
employees mistakes. The commission
said:
Either great majority of these
deplorable railroad disasters are un-
avoidable or there exists a wide
spread lack Of intelligent and we'll
directed effort to minimize the mis-
takes of employees in the operation of
trains. II Is not believed that all
those accidents which are caused by
the mistakes OF employees are un-
avoldable. 1t is quite true that man
is prone to error and as long as ab-
solute reliance Is placed upon the
human element in the operation Of
trains. accidents are bound to occur.
but until it can be shown that all
reasonable and proper measures have
been taken for its prevention no &C.
cident can be classed as unavoidable
All the mistakes noted are violations
OF simple rules which should have
hArr Nv NV ~
sufficient intelligence to be entrusted
with the operation of trains
Then the commission turned to the
responsibility OF railroad companies.
"The evidence" the report de-
elared, "is that In many cases operat-
ing officers are cognizant 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 Of inspection or
supervision of the work of train
service employees so far as pertains
to those matters which vitality affect
safety.
"This lack of supervision and In
spection is unexplainable when the
careful supervision of all matters
directly affecting the revenue of the
roads Is considered.
1.-The auditing and checking system
used for detecting the dishonesty Of
employees are marvels of ingenuity
and careful attention to detail but
means OF determining whether trains
are operated in accordance with re-
Quirements of safety and in con-
formity with the rules are almost en-
tirely lacking"
The report pointed out that rail-
roads seek to economic by careful
inspections on oil, fuel, supplies and
airbrakes for economy, but neglect
other considerations which would
actually result in greater savings not
only in finances but in human life.
at would seem that adequate in
spection and supervision of the work
of empolyes to insure safety in oper-
alton would be amply justified from
the standpoint of economy alone"
the report declared.
The commissioners recommended
Standardization of operating rules by
federal legislation to bring about
safer railroading.
Flagging by inexperienced men.
disobedience of signals and over
speeding were urged as other main
causes of accidents. The commission
reported in favor of use of automatic
train control systems. when found
perfect, and for wider use of steel
cars, found in the past year to be
great safeguards against heavy loss
of life.
Further it asked that congress give
greater power over inspection OF
roadway and rails as a preventative
measure against wrecks.
Vigorous enforcement OF the Ell
kins and Hepburn acts has led to
decided decrease in violations. the re-
port continued. although much eva
sion by shippers was noted along
Continued on page 2.l
BIG AUTOMOBILE AUCTION SALE.