The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-15
FIGHT IS WACED
 TO. ELIMINATE CROSSING WRECKS
Interesting History Of 1870 Railroad Precau-
 tions Recited

Railroad crossing accident.prevention campaign has started, and all railroads and various public safety organizations throughout the country are exerting strenuous efforts to reduce the number of accidents,
 Signs bearing the warning, Gross Crossings Cautiously" and other eye catching slogans are being posted every where. Virtually all the campaign lit erature and signs, however, are directed toward the motorist and pedestrian who fails to take proper precautions at rail road crossings.
 But back in the 1S70's it was the railroad who. took the precautionary measures, Stringent rules were laid down for engineers and other road em- ployes to follow in an effort to prevent crossing accidents Some of the most interesting of these rules are contained in pamphlet of Rules for the Govern ment of All Persons Employed on the Southwestern Railroad and Running Trains Thereon" which ia now in the possession of G. l.. Candler, assistant general manager of the Central of Geor- gia magazine.
 1871 Article
 An article in ''.rhe Right Way" mag azine, the official organ of the road, says that the book was sent to Mir. Candler by R. A. Paschal, agent of the road at Union Springs, Ala. It was published March 1, 1871, by J. W. Burke and company of Macon, Ga.
 Commenting on a number of the rules, which appear strange to modern ideals, Mir. Candler says:
 "It is noted that the rules provided that where an engine was not equipped with lamps it should, when running at night, keep the dampers open 50 as to show light. It also provided that in approaching public roads, the whistle of the engine should be blown for a distance of 400 yards. At the same time, the engineer shopld keep checking the speed of his train, 50 as to stop before reaching the crossing, if any persons or vehicle should attempt to cross. The rules specified that should an accident occur because of violation of the rule is referred to, the engineer would be subject to prosecution under the act of the legislature passed in the year 1860.
 WAAE 10 M1lMutoS
 'The train rules provided that pas senger trains should wait at regular stations for delayed passenger trains 16 minutes. Trains would then pro- ceed, gaining five minutes in the first ten miles, ten minutes in the first 20 miles and at 30 miles fall ipto regular scheduled time. Passenger trains were required to wait five minutes for freight trains. Freight trains to wait at regu- lar meeting point 30 minutes for de- layed trains and. then proceed.
 Special rule 16 provided that when trains meet between stations, the train nearest the turnout would. back up, but if any dispute arose as to which train would retire, it should be de- termined at once by the two conductors without any interference at all on part of engineers. Rule 36 provided that as the conductor of freight train had leisure on the road to examine the wheels, brakes and journals of his cars, there should be no excuse for their being neglected and to become heated on line of road.
 Under the rules then in effect, agents were required to remit to the bookkeeper at Savannah by mail through conductor on Monday of each week, all money collected by them during the preceding week. The rules required that freight train conductors laying over at Macon or any other ter nninal would regularly report to super intendent, .yardmaster or agent at bell ring and should continue at the station performing, such duties as may be re- Quired until he was to leave on his run" ]"