Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-31
LESSONS OF READING WRECK

A CT Of God or freak of fate arc phrases
"a which it IL impossible TO apply to the
sacrifice of twenty seven lives In the shock
ing railway disaster at Bryn Athyn. The
prcvcntablcncss Of the catastrophe was evil
dent in the earliest accounts Of the circum-
stances n few weeks ago. Expert opinion,
unclouded by prejudice or emotionalism,
confirms this original impression.
John p. Dohoney. Chief of the Bureau Of
Accidents of the Public Service Commits
sion, has conducted searching inquiry into
tho causes contributory and auxiliary to
the accident. His findings are embodied in
q detailed report, the lessons Of which arc
automatic.
This qualified Investigator fixes the blame
for the collision primarily upon the con-
fusion of orders and tho carClcssncss Of
their presentation.
The antiquated system OF hand signaling
is vigorously condemned. The appalling pro-
portions of the tragedy are significantly
ascribed to the obvious inhammability Of
wooden coaches and their gas-lighting
equipment.
Mr.. Dohoney, as is only fair, apportions
credit to the railroad companies for their
consistent construction Of steel cars, n
policy halted temporarily during the war
but again in force. 1t is clear, however,
that the rate of substitution is altogether
too slow adequately TO safeguard the travel
ing public.
The responsibility of the Public Service
Commission and of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, which supports Mr.. Dohoney' S
contentious, is thus unmistakable. How far
the former body can go in compelling the
installation of steel passenger rolling stock
has never been fully determined, but it is
certain that If properly aroused no small
amount of pressure can be cxerted.
Should this fail the remedy lies. as Mr..
Dohoney suggests, in the hands Of the
Legislature. which means that the public of
Pennsylvania is primarily blameworthy for
the continuance of dcath-traps on its rail-
ways.
Arc the people of this State so weak
minded that they require further lessons
upon the tragic folly of sanCtioning obsolete
railroad equipment and Indifferent adminis-
tration?
Every one of Mr.. Dohoney's recommended
tons, including notably his pleas for re-
pcated examination Of train employees with
rcepcct to knowledge of the rules. extern
sons Of the block signal system and the
installation of steel coaches, contains
specific remedies for the group of factors
which liz at the root Of tho Newtown
Branch horror.
Steel cars are not invuInCrable. but they
supply for passengers the best security thus
far known. The human EQUATION, with its
weaknesses. sometimes ungovernable, can
not be eliminated from railway manage
ment. But direct invitations to danger can
be rejected.
1t is the imperative duty of the Public
Service and Interstate Commerce Commits
sons, the Legislature and the people Of
Pennsylvania to devise and execute some
workable plan cTcrtng drastic reforms in
those features of the equipment and conduct
of railways that concern the fundamental of
human safety.
The railways are making progress. Steel
coaches in Pennsylvania now considerably
outnumbcr those Of frame. But partial
measures will not suffice, aS the wreck on
the Reading 50 appaIlngly demonstrated.