Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-22
WV. Fuller, Chief Engineer Of
the Isle Of Palms Traction Co.,
Would Eliminate Politics From
Work Of Accident Prevention.
Corporations Are Suffering From
an Overdose Of All Kinds Of
Remedies Of a Deadly Nature
Now Being FutiIely Applied
BY WALLACE WATT FULLER.


Contrary to general opinion, rail-
roads and industrial corporations are
usually Just and more than fair in
the settlement of all claims brought
against them. Startling as it may
seem, the just ones seldom reach the
courts. Numbers Of cases occur
which, upon investigation, are found
to be purely fictitious. The only
route for claims of such nature is to
let them take the regular course and
find the usual settlement in our
courts.
An illustration of this may be
found here: A passenger claimed
to have been thrown from a moving
train; he could not recall the exact
time of the alleged accident or the
exact place where it was supposed
to have occurred, but he was conf
dent Of the usual negligence on the
part of the company, and insisted on
a payment of 500 for minor in
juries alleged to have been received.
Upon careful investigation it was
found that no such accident had oc-
cured The road promptly refused
to make settlement upon any basis.
The case went to the courts, the
jury awarding the party 5000 on his
own statement, in face OF records to
the contrary.
Hundreds of inventions are made
daily for the protection of human life.
The so-called safety-first movement
represents q fractional part, only, Of
the real meaning of the work of ac-
cident prevention. Safety first, as
advertised everywhere, is naturally
a one sided affair and will eventual
ly be injurious instead OF beneficial
to the cause which it was intended
to benefit, unless our railroads and
industries back it up by efficient and
directed effort in the real work of
accident prevention.
Should Guard "Zone."
To put accident prevention work
on its lowest plane is to say that it
pays In this work, railroads and
manufacturing industries should look
after such neglected factors as rail-
road yards, walks, working places
in general; the handling Of tools from
the sledge to the wrecking car and
on down the line of the danger zone.
Tests Prove Success.
Tests have proven that proper
lighting prevents at least 25 per cent
of the avoidable accidents in indus
try. In this work there is a broad
field open to the railroads and indus
tries desiring It, Yet, from every
day reports one would come reason
ably to the conclusion that the rail-
roads of the country, as we'll as a
number of the large manufacturing
industries, are suffering from an over
dose of all kinds of remedies. Sure
cures, representatives., "cough-ups" and
various other connections OF deadly
nature are daily and futilely applied.
There are few real cures worthy or
consideration, but the writer will en-
deavor to point out what he believes
is the right and just course.
Every would be politician feels 1t
his duty to introduce a bill; accord
ingly we read ola multiplicity of bills
al Washington to regulate Interstate
railroads or other large corporations
having been introduced to define the
rights and duties of railroads and
similar concerns, and prescribing the
necessary remedies for all kinds OF
real or imaginary existing evils.
Accident prevention work should be
kent out of politics. 1t has no place
there so long as railroads and indus
trial corporations appreciate the i'm
portance. the requirements and the
demands Of the public. True It is a
live issue of vital interest to the gen.
eral public, but the railroads are
aware of this and let us hope are
making Roadway in the work.
Advocates Safety Commission.
So far Congress has dealth with
meal legislation. The State Legisla-
lures are also passing a variety of
special acts concerning the opera
ton and equipment of trains, all of
which emphasizes more strongly than
ever the necessity and importance
of the plan proposed Of placing the
work of railroad and Industrial ac-
cident prevention in the hands Of
capable engineers with authority to
direct the work.
viii the railroads and industrial
corporations do this, or will it be
left to politicians?