The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-10-12
SAFETY FIRST MEETING

Ahai oudg hiAS 4hdlOI L tCh wei
coined SHpt. R. E. Brooks of the Mon
tana Division of the o. S. l.. to the
city of Blackfoot to conduct a meet
ing on Safety First. These meetings
are held monthly at some town in the
Division. The citizens of Blackfoo;
were invited to attend this meeting to
become familiar with the safety pre-
cautions taken by the railroad and
their employees.
The question of accidents occurring
to trains from ditch washouts, MAX
ing it necessary for careful guard
ing by the ditch riders was empha-
sized. The next important business
was the throwing of lighted matches,
cigarettes and cigars from coach VIM
dows through dry areas where fire
hazards are great. 1t was decided
that placards to this effect do not
bring the required results, and a re-
solution which has been sent to Supt.
Brooks suggesting screened windows
through such locations was consider
ed applicable. 1t was decided to
a W an itply llOiil lllC Oldu OlNlSlDil
before resolution to this effect
would be finally passed
Supt Brooks stated that the reso-
luton which exists with the O. S. L.
prohibiting the transportation Of wo-
men and children in outfit cars can
not be wisely enforced. Every pre-
caution to prevent accidents to the
families of foremen and workers that
can possibly be put to effect is made,
and 1t does not seem wise to always
prohibit the employees bringing their
families to outfit locations.
The rules that people remain seat
ed until the train stops has been put
in effect on placards and installed in
cars, but it is often ignored. Defin-
ite action cannot be taken against
this hazardous habit except to urge
to feel the same RESPONSE
bility towards the passengers as be-
fore the placards were installed.
1t was suggested, by Divisional En-
gineer Mr.. Smith, an arc light be in
stalled at the Yellowstone Highway
crossing at Ashton, which in the main
crossing Of the city with four tracks
at that point. Supt. Brooks assured
Mr.. Smith that if the city would be
willing to furnish the current the
railroad company would furnish the
and the material.
The question of lighting at the Dill
Ion Coal chute was next taken up
and favorably decided upon. A
report has been installed by
he railroad company which better
lies all injuries sustained by employ
ees. This report states the name, oc-
,upation, injury sustained, whether
)r not accident was avoidable, and
he time lost.
The secretary read the last report, |
showing how consistent the idea is. |
Mr.. w. L. Hill of Pocatello gave a
hort talk f appreciation for so
many Blackfoot citizens being pres
mt at this Safety First meeting. He
olicited any remarks or suggestions
0 safe operation of the Union Paci-
c railroad. He states that two rules L
hat we should all try to follow are:
elf preservation and preservation 20
he people next to you. He expressed
reat regret to accident like the one
,hich occurred last week. He stated
nat such accidents served to drive
ONE the seriousness of not comply
lg with railroad rules. He appoint
i each citizen a committee of one
} spread the message of last sum- {
Ier's campaign against accidents, be-
luse the accidents have not been cut
own as they should. Mr. Hill says \
lat the one feature of Safety First 7
the elimination of accidents and T
lat AZ to 67 per cent of the accidents
ave been reduced in the last SIX t
ears. Railroad officials feel sure, he t
ates, that the big thing to reduce b
,cident is to work for cooperation, L
1T only among employees of the rail- v
ad, but among citizens of the com v
unity. There have oeen no serious t;
cidents during the last month ON
e Montana Division of the o. s. L. t.
A large representation of Blackfoot b
ty attended this Safety First meet
g. Miss Grace Peck, secretary Of
e Commercial Club, prevailed upon
r. Hill to speak at the schools on
ednesday afternoon, with the de-
'e to instill among the students the
irit of Safety First.