Evening journal., 1913-12-03
PROBING OF
WRECKS NOW
R. R. SCIENCE
Work is Divided Among Sew
eroI Officials on the P.
B. 6 W. Division
REPORTS OF GREAT
VALUE TO COMPANY

Few persons not railroaders are
aware of the minute and thoroush
system of investigation made m cases
of wreck or accident on the railroad.
On the p, b. x W. railroad, as well
as on all other divisions OF the Penn
sylvania system, there is local safe
tycommittee, which investigates every
wreck In an enort to ASCERTAIN the
cause and arrive upon some conclu-
sion to improve conditions.
There is a regular written program
for handling wrecks. A designated
officer of each department goes to the
scene OF each accident and a joint in
Vestigation is made to determine the
cause. The local committee consists
oe the assistant trainmaster, super
visor or head of maintenance of way
department. and shop foreman. The
assistant trainlnaster secures the tes-
timony of the employees figuring in the
accident. the supervisor investigates
the condition of the track and road
bed, and the shop foreman looks after
any defects ia engine. cars OF other
equipment.
The results OF the investigation are
embodied in detailed reports. These
reports pass through the hands of the
superintendent, TIE general superin-
tendent and the general manager. The
superintendent takes such action to
prevent repetition as may be deemed
necessary. The general superintendent
checks the work of the superintendent
and finally the general manager,
through his accident bureau makes
such deductions and draws such con-
clusions as may be warranted by the
facts shown ia the reports. This IS
followed by recommendations which
may involve .he Improvement and ma
chinery, change in methods of opera
ton of the efficiency and discipline OF
employees.
All reports. both of personal injur-
les and train accidents, are tabulated
and summarized These summaries
are issued quarterly and yearly and
provide the officers with data sug-
pestive of remedial measures. The
summaries are also distributed
among the men, who receive IN that
way information as to the experience
ed thought of the management
The motive power department Is
provided with full and complete III
formation as to the number and cost
of accidents resulting from motive
power defects Constant and elabor-
ate study is made by this department
of the conditions of material and the
nracticability of designs Changes II
unsatisfactory equipment are beint
continually made What is said o.
the motive power department applies
also to the maintenance of way de
partment.
The operating department is fur
nished with figures showing the mum
Der and cost of accidents resulting
from negligence and inefiiciency OF
the part of operating employees, anS
such measures are taken to improve
the service as may be suggested b.
the statistics.
In addition. the general manager
has a discipline committee. composed
Of three experienced trainmasters
who have devoted their time since
1911 TO the examination of discipline
records of employees of all depart
ments. This committee makes rec.
concentrations regarding the condi.
tions of records and the manner In
which the records are kept They cal
attention to the cases of men whose
records indicate that they are below
a reasonable standard of efficiency
special attention being paid to viola
tions of safety regulations. 1t is th'
purpose of the management to place
itself in position to be able to de
termine, from the written records o
the men, whether they are rendering
safe and efficient service.
The dispatching committee is CON
posed of five practical subordinate of
fcers. who have been examining int
methods of operation on all c'rision
of the railroad for the past four years
This committee at frequent interval
visits the division headquarters an
goes over with the superintendent, d
vision operator, trainmaster and di'
patchers all questions relating to the in
depreciation and application of rules an
regulations pertaining to the movemen
Of trains. Any cases OF misinterpreta
ton or failure to apply the rules in th
e prescribed manner are promptly correct
ed. and such other recommendations an
made as may be suggested by the inter
views with the division officials. Tn
work of the committee is intended I
bring about uniformity as well as saf'
tv in the introduction of new rules an
the application and Interpretation Of ti
old rules.
On each division there are one or mol
safety committees who inspect the roai
fards and shops to see that the equiI
ment is in safe condition and that ms
chimes are properly guarded. There al
one or more efficiency inspectors on eac
division. who snake tests on he obse
vance of the rules and regulations {
The company. An average of approx
mately 100000 observations and tes'
are made monthly.