Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-21

the thousands who suffered directly or
indirectly from these colossal muir
ders. That these accidents are the re-
suit of terrible mismanagement IL
shown by the fact that they occur, in
nine cases out Of ten, on level lines OF
road. while on roads where the engi-
neering difficulties are immense. and
where they are liable at any time to
be put out Of order by washing or
slides, accidents scarcely ever occur.
We never hear of a railroad slaughter
on the Swiss railroads the Catawissa
railroad. with its fearful precipices and
oso rsrcad in the 1T. sns
career to the west. These roads are
carefully managed and vigilantly in
spected in view Of possible accidents.
and the result is that human life is
more SECURE upon them than upon
roads traversing a fiat plain. In view
OF the apathy exhibited heretofore we
look upon 1t as hopeless to expect a
corrective to be applied through state
legislation. but II at all 1t must come
through some comprehensive act OF
Congress. such as that proposing to in-
terpose on behalf of emigrant passen-
gers on lines Of ocean travel"
Fifty years ago a unique character
named Sergt. Bates. was attracting at
tention by walking expe-
Serpf. dition from the heart of the
D.. south to the north. carrying
oo'eS. the American flag. He left
Vfcksburg. Miss, January 81. on a wa
ger to walk from there to Washington,
without a penny in his pocket. Hs
reached this city on the morning of
April II, 1868. according to The Star Of
that date, and was welcomed by a dele
that h 7 hrfA
and escorted him into the city He was
received by President Johnson at the
White House and was later given a re-
ception at the Metropolitan Hotel. Hav-
ing secured permit to ascend the
dome of the Capitol for the purpose of
tage, Bates, attended by a large crowd
of persons, went to the Capitol, but was
stopped by the police and prevented
from ascending the dome. This affair
caused considerable comment.
A proposal was pending in Cons
gress fifty years ago to add 20 per
cent to the pay
Clerks Wife Pleads of the govern
for Pay Increase. and WASHING.
ton was consequently concerned In its
success. The Star of April is, 1868,
contains a letter. signed Sophia"
which expresses the anxiety Of MEM
bers of the families OF the underpaid
department employees. IN part. as follows:
81 am one Of the many hundred wives
Of government clerks who are driven
almost to desperation by the INSULT
cheney of our husbands salaries to
liuuidate the debts contracted from I'M
avoidable necessity during a long and
expensive winter to procure the sim
plest comforts Of life, and by deferred
hope of congressional relief in the pas
sage of the 20 per cent appropriation.
Heart sick? Yes, soul sick, and ex-
hausted in body-waiting, trembling.
fearing. hoping. Please ask Congress
to do something. Ask it to decide the
question yes or no. 1t would be worse
than an earthquake to hear that the
appropriation was negatived. But
even that. If such is to be the ver-
dict, would be considered an act Of
mercy compared to this suspense. How
ever, il any husband In Congress
should vote no he will deserve to
have his nightly rest broken and dis
turbed forevermore with Caucle
lectures and frightful dreams Of I'M
appeased and unappeasable hunger.
Until the appropriation of the 20 per
cent additional salary shall be voted
cannot buy the baby q frOck."