Weekly journal-miner., 1920-05-12
THE UNLAWFUL STRIKE HARD
 ON SAFETY

l. IL. ANOOSl tSS lidNSllllS SdlCly IlISL
 expert of the Santa Fe Railroad sys-
 tenn, addressed the local railroad men
 at the safety first meeting held last
 night at company headquarters.
 that the turning back of the roads to private ownership had exercised
 baneful influence over the men, so
 that they were not supporting the
 safety first plans as had been the
 case previously.
 Roberts drew attention to the ex-
 cellent showing made ill 1919 over
 1918. This was possible because of
 excellent teamwork, he said. He
 hoped that all roads would retain
 their safety departments, that the
 work is important, and he predicted | that safety experts and engineers
 would be ranked high as a profession.
 In 1919 there were l2j1 less deaths
 on the railroads than in 1918, and 26,962 less men hurt. This in itself
 was a most gratifying record. It was incentive enough to keep the men themselves from going back in the old rut, for if that could be ac- complished under the federal admin istration, the men could keep it up.
 Three percent of the injuries were declared to be unavoidable. Seven percent were due to bad conditions. Ninety percent were caused by the carelessness of the individual
 During 19 months of war the United States lost 51,0C0 men. Dur ing the same months the factories, transportation, etc, industries lost l26,S24 men, 200 day, one every seven minutes This means thas from 800 to 1000 boys and girls are deprived of their providers, many be- ing forced into factory and sweatshop work at an early age.
 Man power is badly needed in this country now, Roberts said. If the country is not to be in an unhealthy
 There is every reason why we should not be a party to such pro ceedings as have just been pulled off. And the safety first idea includes the commerce of the country. If we stop that, we ourselves arc placed ip jeopardy, and also our friends ana the whole country"
 In reading report of the safety first work for 1919, a letter giving all opinion of the status of the safety first movement" was commented on by the speaker The conclusion was
 ITO do SO, argued lir Roberts. loses us the protection that we have. When men under contract take mat ters into their own hands our con tract is to that extent abrogated, and we arc placed in the position of un- reliable men, men of whom it may come to be said that 1t IS waste of time for officials of the railroads to meet.
 Roberts considered the recent ac- tion of certain individuals who zban- doncd their posts in violation of their contracts as an action which increased the hazard and risk of transportation, and therefore was detrimental to the safety first movement. He stated that the department at Washington had allowed matters to drift and com tinue to drift in regard to demands. Then few determined to take mat ters into their own hands, and this had been done in parts of the country. industrial condition, the man power must not be depleted by useless ill., dustrial accidents MT. Roberts con cluded with an appeal to the men to get behind the safety first movement, and not feel themselves in the clear and safe fro maccident, but to be of precaution, and out spoken against recklessncss and care lessness which promote accidents and death. Eai3
 Superintendent H. C. Storey pre- sided over the meeting. Many of the employees of the local divisions took part in the open meeting, suggesting which would make for safe and effective operation. Train master H. w. McKean stated he would not send out a student brakeman until three conductors had "o k'd" him, and he had put in 30 days learning the road and working conditions.
 Wednesday, June 9th, was an- rounccd as the date for the next A general invitation to the citizens of this city to attend the meetings was ordered issued. Special efforts will be made to enlarge the to include officials of the city and county as we'll as public spirited citizens Roberts will be present at the next meeting. He is an interesting speaker, earnest with out any tendency to preach and will we'll repay those who wish to keep in touch with safety first work.
 ALTERMAN GOES TO TEMPE
 Max :. Alderman. who had charge