Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-26
SAFETY FIRST IS
COMMISSION AIM
Notable Report on What Has Been
Done to Bring About Protec-
tive Measures by State
TO INVESTIGATE TUNNELS
Lower Car Steps Among the Things
For Which Body Is Working
Big Accident Roll

Safety suggestions from the closer
supervision of tunnels, better protec
ton of grade crossings, removal of OBJ
structions along tracks and equip |
ment of trolley cars with power brakes
regulation of the height of trolley
car steps abound in the report made
to the Public Service Commissioners
by John P. Dohoney, investigator of
accidents, for the period between july
2S, 1913. and June 80, 1914. The re-
port covers operations of bureau
which goes into the cause of every
accident on a public service property
in the State and has been giving spe-
cial attention to railroad casualties.
One of the interesting things is that
$40 trespassers were killed out OF l.
161 persons who perished on the steam
or electric railways of Pennsylvania
Thirty-one of this number are known
TO have been intoxicated, twenty-four
of them being run down while on rail-
road tracks.
The report gives the following infor-
nation in detail:
Ten thousand. one hundred persons
injured on the railroads. OF this num-
ber 991 were killed. The latter en-
braced 32S employees; 15 passengers;
Three thousand, one hundred and
sixty-one persons injured on the street
railways. or this number 10 were
killed. the fatalities including. 10 en-
ployes; 10 passengers; 20 trespassers
mad 116 others.
Seventy-nine persons killed and 222
injured at grade crossings of railroads
and killed and seventy injured at
grade crossings of street railways.
Fifty-three trespassers struck by
cars were under the influence of in
toXicating liquor. and of this num-
Der "a were killed. The street railway
companies report that intoxicated
persons were killed and that so were
injured.
at is more important to safeguard
the lives of people than it is to de-
termine whether a passenger Is over
charged or whether a shipper is un-
Justly assessed for the transportation
; of his goods" says Mr. Dohoney
There are approximately 10000 pub
lie crossings of steam railroads at
grade in this State and it is gratifying
| to know that the commission has be-
gun the work tending to their elimina-
! ton. Watchmen, gates and bells do
not constitute absolutely reliable pro-
lection. Our reports show that dur
ing the period embracing January first
and June 20 of this year A accidents
occurred at protected crossings by
which Is people were killed and "a
were injured. During the same period
| II were killed and 5S injured at unpro-
tected crossings.
Requirements that the cars of
street passenger railway companies be
equipped with jacks; that conductors
precede the cars over the tracks of
steam railroads and that passengers
be not allowed on the front platform
Of hninR observed.
| Complaints have been received
that the steps and running boards of
! the cars of some of the lines are too
high and are not only the cause of ac-
cidents but the a source of inconVenl-
ence. Investigation shows that these
grievances are we'll founded. / nave,
| in consequence, held conferences with
representatives of the Pennsylvania
Street Railways Association with a
view to the adoption by the commits
sion of such regulations as Will re-
move this objection and will make fur
ther provision for the enclosing of the
! front platform of cars so that the en-
ployes may have that measure OF pro-
lection to which they are entitled.
"The equipment of all cars with
power brakes as we'll as hand brakes
and the daily operation of both brakes;
i the installation of automatic couplers;
a safe and proper method or heating
cars and the maintenance OF lights at
highway crossings and at points on the
lime of the rallway-such as the ap-
proaches to sharp curves, bridges,
steep grades, etc. in country districts,
and a reasonable control of the in
itensity of headlights of cars on public
highways, will all contribute to the
elimination of clements that figure in
accidents of various kinds"
The accident which recently occur
red in the PhoeniXville Tunnel on the
lime of the Philadelphia and Reading
Railway emphasizes the necessity OF
giving the matter of tunnels our
prompt and serious consideration.
| Investigations show that during the
period embracing January first and
June 80, 1914, seven people were kill
ed and 1O5 injured by overhead or
side obstructions on the line of steam
roads. Cooperation of people inter
ested in safety first work is invited to
the end that all dangerous conditions
may be inspected: as it is more essen
tial that these distractions be remov-
ed before an accident occurs than 1t
is to investigate after the injury has
been done.
J Complaints have been received as to
1.-The height of tenders on shifting en-
gines. 1t Is the practice of some roads
| to attach a large tender to an engine
of this kind and it is impossible for
the engineer to obtain view of the
track without leaning out of the cab
IL. L