Evening journal., 1915-02-23
RNLknAn rREspAssING ANp MORrALITY.

from that exceedingly 2rcWsOme one.
The railroad companies, by educational and reprcssye
campaigns. have done everything possible TO put an
end 10 such acts of uespass. The results have been
far from those sought to be attained, although
thing has been accomplished The killing and the
manning ntnuo. In the ten years from 1901 to 1910,
inclusive. SCOOPS railroad trcspassers killed and
53427 we're injured in the United States. than
enough men, women and children TO people city the
size of Wilmington. The shame of it all is that it is
an unnecessary and meNcusabe waste Of human lisa.
happiness and productive. capacity
The Railway Business Association IS a national
sanization of manufacturing, mercantile and engineer
ing concerns dealing with the railroads. Il has issued
a bulletin OF "The Deadly Toll OF Trespass ON Rail-
way" and urges strcier laws and strcter enforce
mcnt those laws the prevention of such trespass
ing The bulletin shows that there $4,000 per-
sons under 2l years Of age killed or injured while
rospassing railways of the United States from 1901
TO 1910 enough to make a mile post for every mile
around the world
Comparing the record of the United States and the
United Kingdom the following figures are quoted bear
ing upon accidents to railway trespassers:
United States .....190l-iO SCOOPS 53427
United Kingdom 19O1-1O 4l54 1875
Telling why this striking difference exists the ex-
planatii is given:
the United states laws against railroad trespass-
ing generally not enforced,
In the United Kingdom persons other than passen-
gers employees found railroad property are fined
$40 for each offence"
When a Titanic goes down. it Is pointed out "and
hundreds perish a thrill of horror runs through
Chrstendom. Thousands perish one at time and
nobody pays any attention, not even the neighbors
Progress toward enactment of laws providing ehoc-
tive penalties and toward conviction and sentences for
those who wimlly expose themselves to danger is said
TO be slowly spreading while loss of life and damage
as affecting railways is increasing France Furnishes
trespassors by up to s579 and jail up to month;
Germany 10y fines up TO S25; Canada by fines up to
$50 and Imprisonment up to two months The Wa
bash Railroad operates part of its mileage through
Canada In the year ending June 30 1914 of the "a
trespassers killed that road only three we're killed
in Canada.
In the United states laws are few, and even where
penalties arc prescribed magistrates hesitate to im-
pose them local authorities dislike to feed and lodge
convicted tramps Trespassers however. include little
children and wage living in the vicinity whose
death or disability leaves families destitute.
Elevation of track in Chicago resorted to at an
expense OF 20 Millions which is expected to reach $50
millions Trespassers leap city ordinance and
climb up the elevation in their conscientious de-
voton to the pursuit of being killed and MANNED In
| three months 339 arrests were made on the elevated
right of way four systems only 67 of the offenders
punished
Thirty-hye States have laws specifically prohibit
ing persons walking on railroad right of way Thir-
teen States by statute prescribe penalties ranging from
So fine to 10 days in jail in Maine to $500 fine or one
/ in lail in New YORK. New 1oikf Wiacohelhs
Maine Now Hampshire, New Jersey Massachusetts,
Virginia Missouri Rhode Island, Delaware Georgia.
Minnesota and Washington.
Missouri has law which protects the railroad from
damage suits the purpose of which trespass is
defence for the railroad but the law in defining the act
a trespass for that purpose specifically says but not
/ otherwise"
Activity on the part Of many railroads to lessen the
number of fatal accidents their lines is bearing
fruit The New York Central Lines took the question
up with Justices of the peace and police court mags-
tratcs armed with statistics Newspapers we.e urged
to give the campaign publicity Warnings in several
languages we're posted while manufacturers and pub
lie school teachers we're enlisted The railroads police
department made arrests systematically. During May
June and July, 1914 there 45i5 arrests and 40l5
convictions In seven months ended April 80 1914
there was reduction those killed over the CORES
pondng period year previous from 1856 TO 49, The
Pennsyyan railroad also has done nuch educational
work.
r The American Museum of safety, New York, has pub
lshed pamphlets containing stories Il child interest
and two New York and Brooklyn schools have issue'
Safety League buttons. organizing safety patrols.
pamphlet issued in Texas is Harry Hcp-theTrain,
describing Harrys surgical experience and his reoas
from the hospital cripple who could again jo
IS his paymates in the old swimming hole
e Minors and children following the example of thei
elders flock upon the tracks. engines cars and turn
tables and arc ground pieces crippled for life
IF Trsmps and yeggmen travel around the country il
10 side-door Pullmans," robbinE box and burnin
e ties stations bridges and tmbcrs and robbing farm
n ers country banks and postohices In Canad
t. where stealing rides is crime punishable by fine
IN $50 or two months in jail there very few tranps
1t would probably the States and muncipalitie
+ less TO enforce against trespassing, than doc
10 nick up and bury the dead and for the cripple
ID Il becomes clearer every day that more ehecti'
" steps must be taken those foolish VIII
'r viii not save themselves by keeping off the railroa
il tracks and that If it be brought about. theT
should be concert action by all branches OF govern
mcnt 10 put an end such unnecessary and who'll
nexcusabe waste OF human life in Delaware and ols
a. where.
NJ
OF, Among the prominent United States Senators WI
les will retire TO private life March Root.
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