The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-02
Der is frequently sold at considerably
higher rates.
the DEADLY Toll,

THE DEADLY TOLL.
Stricter laws and stricter enforce
ment for the prevention of trespass-
ing upon railways are urged upon the
state legislatures in THE Deadly Toll
Of Tresspass on Railways" bulletin
Of the Railway Business association.
the national organization of manufac-
turing, mercantile and engineering
concerns dealing with the railroads
There were," the bulletin declares,
~33' 900 persons under 81 years OF
age killed or injured while trespassing
on railways Of the United States from
1901 to 1910, enough to make mile
post for every mile around the world"
Comparing the record of the United
States and the United Kingdom the
following figures are quoted:
Killed. Injured
United States ;. .19o1-10 scoops 53.427
United Kingdom. 19O1-1O 4,434 1,315
Telling why this striking difference
exists. the explanation is given:
''In the United States laws against
railroad trespassfng are generally not
enforced.
"In the United Kingdom persons
other than passengers or employees
found on railroad property are fined
$40 for each offense."
When a Titanic goes down, 1t is
pointed out, land hundreds perish,
thrill OF horror runs through Christen-
dom. Thousands perish one at time
and nobody pays any attention, not
even the neighbors.''
Progress toward enactment Of laws
providing effective penalties and to-
ward conviction and sentences for
those who wilfully expose themselves
to danger Is said to be slowly spread
ing, while loss OF life and damage as
affecting railways is increasing.
France Furnishes trespassers by fines
up to 1919 and Jail up to month;
Germany by fines up to $25; Canada
by fines up to $50 and Imprisonment
up to two months. The Wabash rail-
road operates a. part of its mileage
through Canada. In the year ending
June 80. 1914, Of the "a trespassers
killed on that road only three were
killed in Canada.
I'm the United States laws are few.
and even where penalties are pre-
scribed, magistrates hesitate to i'm
to feed and lodge convicteG tramps."
children and wage eamers living in
the vicinity, whose death or disability
leaves families destitute.
Elevation of track in Chicago was
resorted to at an expense of 70 mil
lions, which is expected to reach $50
millions. Trespassers leap over a
city ordinance and climb up on to the
elevation In their conscientious devo-
ton to the pursuit of being killed and
manned. In three months 339 arrests
were made on the elevated right Of
way Of four systems. Only 81 OF the
Offenders we're punished.
"Thirty-five states have no laws
specifically prohibiting persons walk
Ing on railroad right of way. Thir-
teen states by statute prescribe pen
alties ranging from IS fine TO 10 days
in Jail in Maine to $500 fine or one
year in jail in New York; New York,
Wisconsin, Maine. New Hampshire,
New Jersey. Massachusetts, Virginia,
Missouri, Rhode Island. Delaware,
Georgia, Minnesota and Washington"
Missouri has a law which protects
the railroad from damage suits, for
the purpose of which trespass Is de-
fence for the railroad, but the law in
defining the act trespass for that
purpose specifically says but not 9th
erwise."
Activity on the part Of many rail-
roads to lessen the number Of fatal
accidents on their lines is bearing
fruit. The New York Central lines
took the question up with justices OF
the peace and police court magis-
trates armed with statistics. News
papers we're urged to give the cam
paign publicity. Warnings in several
languages were posted, while manu-
facturers and public school teachers
were enlisted The railroads police
department made arrests systemati-
calIy. During May. June and July,
1914, there we're 4,545 arrests and a.
OILS convictions. In seven months enc
ed April 80. 1914, there was a reduc-
ton In those killed over the cores
ponding period one year previous
from 1876 to 9S.
The American Museum OF Safety.
New York, has published pamphlets
stories of child interest,
and two New York and Brooklyn
schools have issued safety league but
tons, organizing safety patrols. A
issued in Texas is Harry
describing Harry's