The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-01
A. G. S. Railroad and Train Robbers

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
In the article in Mondays Age-Herald
relating to scientific methods in train rob
berries generally, but specifically com
menting upon the hold-up at Bibvliie, you
state that an error of the operator at
Coalng was the occasion of the death of
Deputy Bonner.
1t seems rather a far cry for the inn
agination to reach such a conclusion. III
the deputies We're in such a state of ner-
vousness that they could not control thelf
weapons it was quite as probable that a
tragedy might have occurred In the
woods as elsewhere. and in any case
there was still doubt as to where the rob-
bers left the train.
The question is also brought up as 70
who cares anything for railroad. If the
writer of your article will take the trou-
Bile to look into the matter he viii ma
that the Alabama Great Southern train
employees have pretty good record
both for courage and daring, and also for
protecting the companys property when
ever opportunity offers. There is no wis
dom in recklessness, and II the engineer
and fireman of No. had resisted (occu-
pying the positions they did they might
have lost their own lives and with abso-
lutely no chance to benefit others. The
porter, who had an opportunity to fight,
did so until he was overpowered. The
passengers, regardless of what he might
or might not want to do personally
When the train was separated, the con-
ductor went through the train warning
the passengers and locking each door to
each coach. The fagman's business is to
protect the rear of the train.
The strong point of safety on the Ala
bama Great Southern railroad is not the
reckless, whimsical personal propensities
of employees but the proper care of pas
sengers. nagman might want to fight,
but the very worst thing he could possl-
bly, do would be to leave his train unpro-
tected In the rear, and in case of danger
from the outside the most reckless act a.
conductor could perform would be to fail
TO warn his passengers and keep them
inside.
In the recent fire In Valley Head, which
swept the business part of that town
away the crew Of train No. worked
hard to protect both the companys prop
erty and the town, and the man who was
most conspicuous on top the burning
buildings was a conductor
i Ii is true that, In the middle of the
night, vandals have all the advantage,
and 1t is likewise true that with the strict
regulations governing all train employees.
the schedules maintained and all the con-
ditions surrounding operations, the men
must stick to their duties. A train crew
might capture. band of robbers, but II q
number of passengers were injured and
killed in the dereiction of the train itself,
the Alabama Great Southern crew. which
did such thing would have to face the
burden of public condemnation. Safety of
passengers on the Alabama Great South
ern railroad is not q motto, but rule OF
service the record of years, which the
men have made and wish to do all that
men can do to keep safe. No record In
the United States surpasses that OF the
Alabama Great Sothern for safety, ana
while they may not boast of 1T, the busl-
ness of the train employees is to continue
to be safe, not to trail robbers.
FRANK M. PIfMAN.
Pising Fawn Ga September 30, 1918.