The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-14


state, advices me that bis company re-
quires no specific duty of the third
bra KEENAN,, except that he ride in ca
boose, like passenger, the company
having in view the reduction in hazard
of personal injury by that course. as
we'll as the hazard OF operating trains
by reducing the distribution of re-
sponsibiIity among the smallest NUM-
Der of operators,
STRESS has been laid upon the long
trains handled, and the danger OF
operating them as argument in support
of this measure
''Such trains, you will readily under
stand, are made up of cars going long
distances. They do not, as rule stop
en- route to set out or pick up cars.
That work is performed by local.
trains. with small number of cars
and almost universally equipped with
a third brakeman, whom this bill VIII
force the roads to take off.
Quoting from these statistics, 1t IS
found that in July. last, out of lob
trains, representing the schedule OF nVe
daily, run, 1913, averaging 81 cars,
reached terminals exactly on schedule;
u were less han 80 minutes late, and,
of the entire number, but IL were one
hour or more late. This showing could
be multiplied indefinitely, were time at
our disposal to secure the record or
other lines,
Wn6Te Is the 1nQlCdLlOIl LAAOkSS
trains were inadequately manned?
Cause of Accidents
'Now, let US go a little further into
the safety feature, and look into the
record of accidents to freight trains on
certain Kansas roads.
1.-The Missouri. Kansas e. Texas rail-
way report, covering three divisions,
shows 271S trains run. OF this num-
Der there We're 70 accidents to trains
cor than % and llJ
to trains carrying less than 25 cars.
In other words, under the first item
there was one accident to every N5
trains, while the second shows one ac-
cident to every 179 trains.
"On the Union Pacific. in Kansas,
during January, 1913, there were five
accidents, all to trains having less than
25 cars. There were S73 such trains,
so that the rate was one for each one
and seventy-five trains run.
They ran, during the same period, ga
trains with over % cars. without ac-
cident.
"On the Atchison. Topeka & Santa
Fe, from August. 1912, to January 81,
1918, there were 19.407 trains run with
% cars or less. There were 128 acct
dents to these trains, or one to each
one hundred and fifty-two trains run.
There were 22,34s trains run with more
than 25 cars. There were 123 accidents
hundred and eighty-two trains run.
"a significant fact in connection
with these accidents is, that while
large per cent OF the smaller trains
were equipped with an additional man.
sixty-one of the 12s accidents were due
to error of employees. On the heavier
trains, and greater total number run,
there were but forty-four due to that
cause. |
1.-The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, !
.eporting for six months ending De- |
,ember 81, 1912. show Sc accidents to
rains having less than % cars, or |,
,ne for each 122 trains run. |
'NThey also show a much larger num- |
per of accidents due to error Of en- |
oioyees on the small trains than the |
arge ones: the figures being 81 on the
smaller. and II on the larger trains.
your attention is again directed to |
he fact that trains with the additional
nen are most frequently involved in /
accident.
Effect in Yard Service.
"'The equipment of yard crews with
he men required by this bill is not |
Justified by any necessity. A very
arge per cent of the men actually en-
aged in that service never heard of
he proposition. Few of them could
i've any reasons for it if they had. AT
many points such a regulation would
orce a hardship upon the public be-
ause the small Importance of the serv-
ce would not justify the employment
Z the number of men to perform it,
equired by this bill. There are few
ard crews that could find employment
or a third sWitchman. He would in
rease the hazard of accident, and be
menace to those necessary to do the
York
Expense 1t Means.
'It means an unnecessary expense of
pproximately two millions of dollars
er annum laid upon the railways of
his state, without any compromising
enefit.
lone of our Kansas roads, with but
ighteen miles, would pay twenty-five
thousand dollars, because it happens to
ave q division terminal located thereon,
nd would, under its schedules, Or con-
racts, with employees, be required to al
NV pay for one day for each trip OF
1T may not be out of place TO say, just
ere, that every railroad in this state has
working contract governing rates OF
ages and working conditions, with each
lass of its train employees.
This will, If enacted into law, mean |
ne beginning of the end of these con-
Dr. each branch of the service to negotiate
ate5 of wages and working conditions
lrectly with the several roads Much
latters on both sides. Every railroad in
his state, by its officers, has spent at
last thirty days in every year. trying to
le.e and adjust, in the most satisfactory :
hammer, questions affecting employment,
UGH as rates of wages and rules govern
lg conditions. ,
No reasonable man will expect that the
ailroads will go on with this practice if
1ese matters are to become the subject
{ Legislative enactment.
There is very strong belief growing |
nat the attempts to secure legislative !
ction upon these questions, serious in
airs, if it does not destroy. the working I
The work cannot be done both