Evening journal., 1917-03-30
A TYrIoAL rREsPAss rRAeEpY.

III ERE is item that appeared in one Of the local
"A newspapers yesterday:
Dorothy Williams. aged years. a daughter OF Mr.
and Mrs Herman Williams of No sos Wright street
over and killed the tracks of the p. 3. and
w railroad in the West Yard late yesterday afternoon.
The child picking coal and had crawled under
freight standing side track to get some coal.
While she there a shifting engine backed down
the track 10 couple TO the under which the child
working. She not seen by the engineer
any member Of the crew, and when the car started to
move she was caught before she had time to get
out.
There is a typical case Of trespass on railroad
tracks such being inyeghed against by railroad
officials, not only in this community but also in thou
sands OF other communities throughout America. 1t
is case that Is as tragic as it is typical
II is notorious fact that the defeat OF the rail
road officials anti-trespass campaign has been due
TO refusal failure by magistrates justices OF
the peace and others TO cooperate with them in the
matter Of putting an end TO trespass by Furnishing
trespassers and thereby warning others who are dis
posed 10 trespass II should be said in that connec-
ton that the railroad officials do not wish TO prose-
cute trespassers for the sake Of prosecuting them
They wish TO do II because OF a humane desire 70
put end 10 the killing and manning OF men, wo-
men and children. which the inevitable accom-
panments OF such trespass. Their motive Is humane
not punitive
In the instance under discussion, n that girl
years old was sent out into West Yard to pick coal
between the tracks and under the cars II was a
crime against childhood. n she volunteered TO 90
and objection was inerposed. II crime
against childhood to permit her to follow her bent.
II the railroad men had seen her arrested her, and
taken her before a magistrate for prosecution they
probably would have been denounced in many quar-
tors hard hearted wretchca who too TO
! permit poor little girl to go on their property to
! pick up few pieces OF waste coal that she might
! keep the fire burning I'm impoverished home" And
the likelihood that the magistrate ruled by SYM
! pathetic heart instead OF far-soeng brain, would
! have dismissed the
In consequence OF such conditions the railroad on
cols do arrest in thousand OF trespassers
| They arc compelled by circumstances to assume
| What's tho uso?" attitude II Is common practice
for men women and children bent upon picking coal
or making Shortcuts go into West Yard and other
places which dangerous that even experienced
trainmen are approhonsive Of them.
Now, We ask shouldn't tho death Of this little eight
year-od coal picker, Dorothy Williams child who
Just had begun to enjoy life and who might have de
,eloped into a useful woman-impel tho magistrates
Of Wilmington TO inform tho railroad officials that
| they are willing to cooperate with them in every
why possible TO break up this trespass menace and
urge thom bring in. for proper punishment every
respasser found on rights OF way?
If such result can be obtained through the
nangllng and killing Of this obscure little coal picker
OF the South Side she will not have died in vain,
in years to come hundreds OF men, women and chill
dren who otherwise might have been killed sh
was killed win be living evidence that her death sa
as it was served an eminently useful purpose in GU
| community.