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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/38731-8.txt b/38731-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c3308e --- /dev/null +++ b/38731-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3368 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Railroad Accidents, by R. C. Richards + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Railroad Accidents + Their Cause and Prevention + +Author: R. C. Richards + +Release Date: February 1, 2012 [EBook #38731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAILROAD ACCIDENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Odessa Paige Turner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +RAILROAD ACCIDENTS + + +THEIR CAUSE AND PREVENTION + + +BY + +R. C. RICHARDS + + +Published by + +THE ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY CLAIM AGENTS + +1906 + +COPYRIGHT, 1906 +BY R. C. RICHARDS + +GIFT OF +O. A. MOORE + + + + +Introduction + +Railroad Accidents + +Their Cause and Prevention + + +Much has been said and written during recent years about the +increasing number of railroad accidents in this country--their cause +and what action should be taken by the government, the railroads and +the employees to reduce them and the consequent loss of life and limb +resulting therefrom. Believing that if the cause of our many accidents +were properly understood more care would be taken by the corporations, +employees and persons at fault to reduce the number, I shall try to +point out in the following pages what investigation has shown me to be +the cause of many accidents and how their reoccurrence could, I think, +be prevented. + +In the transaction of the business of a railroad its first and highest +duty is to the passengers, to carry them safely and speedily; next, to +take care of the property entrusted to it for transportation, and for +which it is practically an insurer against everything but the act of +God or the public enemy, and deliver it with reasonable dispatch to +the consignee in practically the same condition as that in which it is +received. + +It is a self-evident proposition that the nearer the railroads come to +performing this duty, the fewer losses and claims for damages they +will have to pay, and, as a matter of course, the more money there +will be left with which to pay wages, interest, dividends, and make +improvements. So it behooves all, who are working for those wages, to +do everything they can to help carry on the business properly and +correctly in order that the interest of the companies hiring them, as +well as their individual interest, will be subserved, and for the more +important reason of causing as little suffering, pain, and sorrow to +those who by accident may be maimed or killed, which always brings +trouble and sorrow to the victim as well as to his family, and +frequently results in untold suffering and privation to the widows and +children. + +The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that for the +year ending June 30, 1904, there were + + 441 passengers killed. + 3,632 employees killed. + 839 not trespassers killed. + 5,105 trespassers killed. + 9,111 passengers injured. + 67,067 employees injured. + 2,499 not trespassers injured. + 5,194 trespassers injured. + +Making 10,017 killed and 83,871 injured, or a total of killed and +injured of 93,888, many times over the casualties of our last war, and +all the roads seem to have done their share of this havoc. + +We should strive to see if in the coming year we cannot reduce the +number, so that the casualties reported, and consequent loss to the +companies, will be reduced, considering the number of employees, +mileage, earnings, number of trains run, persons and property +transported, and the territory traversed, and for the purpose of +bringing this matter before you in a proper light I will call +attention to a few of the many accidents which have recently occurred, +which, with proper care and the use of good judgment, would have been +avoided and fewer persons left to go through life crippled, fewer +homes made desolate and fatherless, and sometimes motherless, and at +the same time the money which has been necessarily paid out to settle +the claims saved to the companies, and, consequently, just so much +more money left in the treasury to pay for wages, interest, dividends, +and betterments. + +Taking into consideration the safety appliances installed by the +railroads since 1898, the improvement in track and equipment, and the +increase in wages paid, with even the same degree of care on the part +of employees, the number of accidents should have decreased, but on +the contrary they show an actual percentage of increase higher than +that of earnings, and if the employees are onto their jobs they ought +to and must find a way to reduce the number of such cases and +consequent expense to the companies. + +For the purpose of showing that the employees are the persons most +vitally interested in this matter, as upon them falls the major part +of the fatalities and injuries resulting from such accidents and upon +themselves and families the suffering and pain which always comes +after them, while upon the companies falls the immense and increasing +financial drain, following their wakes, as well as loss of prestige +and public criticism which necessarily follow, and which is increasing +every day, I have prepared the following statement. + + 1. The percentage of employees to the number of passengers transported +during the year ending June 30, 1904, was one for each 552. + + 2. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the whole number of +persons reported killed in all classes (10,017) was 4 per cent. + + 3. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the whole number of +persons reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 11 per cent. + + 4. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the number +transported (715,419,682) was about one in each 80,000. + + 5. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the number transported +was about one in every 1,600,000. + + 6. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number of +employees (1,296,121) was about one in every 19. + + 7. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +employed (1,296,121) was about one in 360. + + 8. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +reported killed in all classes (10,017) was about 36 per cent. + + 9. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number +reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 80 per cent. + +10. The percentage of employees (300,000) engaged in the hazardous +part of the business such as train, engine and yardmen to the whole +number employed (1,296,121) was 25 per cent. + +11. Percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work, who +were killed (2,343), to the whole number of employees reported killed +(3,632), was 64 per cent. + +12. The percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work +who were injured (32,345) to the whole number of employees injured +(67,067) was 48 per cent. + +An examination of the statistics published by the Commission also +shows that the number of accidents depends not so much on the actual +length of track of a railroad in miles, but upon the density of its +traffic and of the population of the territory through which it runs, +for illustration take one division on a system that runs through a +thickly settled country, that has five per cent of the actual mileage +of the system and fifteen per cent of the train mileage, and another +division in the same system that runs through a sparsely settled +country, that has ten per cent of the actual mileage of the system and +five per cent of the train mileage, and it is a well-known fact that +the percentage of accidents on the former will be many times that on +the latter; + +That the heavier the traffic the greater need there is of more care +being taken in employing and educating the right kind of men to +operate the trains; and + +That with denser traffic there should come more and better supervision +to insure observance of the rules adopted for the safe operation of +trains and that the increase in quantity and quality of that +supervision should at least equal in ratio the increase in traffic. +Indeed, I believe that when this is done many of the troubles and +difficulties the railroads now labor under will pass away, and that +the additional expense caused by such increase will be saved many +times over by a general reduction in operating expenses, especially in +waste and damage. + +Accidents should be divided into four classes: + +_First._ Unavoidable accidents, or those caused by the act of God, the +public enemy, or by some miscreant who takes up a rail, misplaces a +switch, or puts an obstruction on the track. + +_Second._ Accidents to passengers, outsiders trespassing or not +trespassing, caused by the carelessness or wantonness of the injured +or some other person for whose act the railroad is not liable, or by +the failure on the part of the State or municipality to make and +enforce proper laws and ordinances to prevent stoning trains and +trespassing on the premises and cars of the companies. + +_Third._ Those caused by the want of care, foresight, or supervision +on the part of the management of the company. + +_Fourth._ Those caused by the carelessness, thoughtlessness, or +neglect of employees. + +Neither employees nor company can be held to blame or can prevent +accidents resulting from the first and second causes, and fortunately +for the reputation as well as the treasury of the companies over +one-half of all the fatalities and a large proportion of the seriously +injured come under the second class, and until the life and limb of a +trespasser (10 per cent or 1,000 of the 10,000 killed and injured on +the railroads of this country every year being children under fourteen +years of age) are considered to be of some value to their families and +to the State, they will not only continue to occur, but will increase +each year as our population and traffic grow. + +Accidents caused by carelessness, thoughtlessness, or neglect of +employees are the large majority of all that happen, and if we could +eliminate them, or one-half of them, there would be little cause for +complaint on the part of the management of the companies, or criticism +on the part of the public, and the claim agent would have a bed of +roses instead of the busiest and hardest worked office on the road, +and I believe that when the employees really understand the matter +many of them will be eliminated. + +We should bear in mind that it is not the great train accidents that +make the large majority of the total deaths and injuries on the +railroads of this country, about which so much is said in the public +press, but it is the little cases that are unheralded in the press, or +in the courts, that make the totals so large; the little things that +are happening every day, on every railroad in the country, which go on +happening every year in the same old way, and they are the cases which +could and should be avoided by the exercise of greater care and +thoughtfulness--more of them come from thoughtlessness than any other +cause. My experience leads me irresistibly to the conclusion that +after all it is the _man_, not the safety appliance, that we must +depend on to prevent accidents, as has been demonstrated by any number +of cases that have occurred at points where the track has been lined +with safety appliances. + + + + +The Cause + + +INJURIES TO PASSENGERS + +Injuries to passengers for which employees are at fault, and which +could and should be avoided, result from collisions, derailments, +improper handling and management of trains and stations, and I will, +by way of illustration, cite a few cases which have occurred and tell +you how, in my opinion, they might have been avoided. + +We will first take those caused by collisions: + + At Forest Station, April 2, in which 3 passengers were killed and + 26 injured, caused by train No. 112, upon which they were riding, + being run into by engine No. 405, hauling train No. 2, Engineman + Jackson, at 4 p.m. + + Charles Early and ten other passengers injured May 21, at 8 a.m., + caused by engine 109, hauling train 477, colliding with engine 309 + backing a train to yards; latter train had been stopped five + minutes, engine standing under 89th street viaduct, contrary to + rule 31. Smoke blew down on track, hiding engine and train. + +In a dense fog and on a part of the division and at a time when trains +were thick, with a knowledge that he had followed No. 112 all the way +from Thornton, the engineman was so careless as to run by two +automatic signals set at danger, a flagman, and into No. 112, and +three lives go out and 20 odd are injured. Could anything be more +reckless? Do any of you want to ride behind that kind of runner or be +on a train in front of him, even if you have your life insured and +your home paid for? Will we not all agree that such a man is unsafe +and unfit for the service? And in view of the dense fog and the number +of trains moving, should not trains have been blocked a station apart? +It is an absolute protection against accident, which the time interval +is not. And when you enginemen see a signal against you, think of the +wrecks you have known of since you entered the service, and STOP; take +no chances. If you can't see the signal, if your view is obstructed by +smoke or steam so that you can't see the track beyond the smoke or +steam, stop or slow down until you know it safe to proceed. And don't +do as was done in the second case mentioned above, but slow down to +such a speed that you can stop within the range of your vision. In +case of doubt always take the safe course. If you know a man with +defective vision and so little regard for the lives of others as to +try to remain in the service with that defect, you owe it as a duty to +yourself, to your family, the passengers, and other employees, as well +as to the company, to report him to the proper officer before and not +after an accident occurs. Some day there will be a law requiring +frequent examination of the vision of trainmen, but until that time +comes we should all do the best we can to guard against such men. + +Next we come to accidents caused by making a switch of cars containing +passengers without the engine being attached to the car: + + Thomas H. Norton, injured Oct. 20, in Sixtieth St. yards; caused + by the Pullman car Winona, in which he was traveling, being kicked + down against a coach standing at the other end of track, by switch + engine 731; and when switch crew tried to stop the car they + claimed they could not do so with hand brakes, although they were + in good condition. + +Everyone knows that it is unsafe to handle a car containing passengers +without the engine being coupled to it and air-brake in use, and that +Rule 10[1] expressly prohibits such work, yet in this case it was done +by men long in the service, who probably had done the same thing +before without accident and without being caught, so they chanced it +once too often, and the cost in this case would pay many times over +for the time they had saved before. It is just as unsafe to switch +caboose cars in which train crews are resting or cars loaded with +horses and cattle or emigrant movables in that way, and it ought to be +stopped. If it was, there would not be the injuries to trainmen or +damages to live stock that we have now from that cause. + + [1] Copies of all rules referred to will be found in the + Appendix. + +We all have no end of trouble with circuses and theatrical troupes +traveling in their own cars, many of which ought to be in the scrap +heap. These cars should never be accepted, no matter who is in them or +what notice you may have received about the runs to be made with them, +unless the brakes, running gear, and everything connected with them +are in good repair, but when you do take them, handle them as +carefully as if they contained dynamite, and get them off the line +without accident. When you find such a car on a track which you are +obliged to use--it should when possible be set on a track not used for +switching--either to move it or some other car, handle it with the +greatest care; don't do as was done at Harrison just a short time ago +when + + Laura Jameson, with a theatrical troupe, was in car "Pomfret," + Nov. 9th, which was coupled onto by engine No. 402 with such force + that she was thrown from the chair in which she was sitting, + bruising and injuring her. + +Neither would any of the following cases, caused by careless handling, +have happened: + + Mrs. R. A. Storrs, passenger injured at Whiteford, Aug. 8th, at + 7:20 a.m. Engine was pulling train back in the yard and ran in on + track that had some cars on it and collided with them, the switch + having been left open. + + W. R. Thomas, injured at Winton, at 2:50 p.m., Dec. 10, by reason + of standing up near stove in way-car when two cars were coupled on + train, he was thrown against stove and onto floor. + + John A. Klohs, stockman, was riding in the caboose of extra stock + train east, at Yale, June 4th; got up to take off his coat; the + train was coupled up with so much force that he was thrown over + the stove and his ankle injured. + +Now we will take up cases caused by careless loading and unloading of +freight from mixed trains: + +It would not seem necessary to have to tell anyone that timbers or +telegraph poles ought not to be unloaded from moving trains carrying +passengers, or from any moving train, and yet that is exactly what was +done, when + + John A. Owen, W. A. Stead, Martin Kjoelseth, Andrew Thorsen, and + C. G. Strombeck, passengers on train No. 82, were injured at + Wallace, Aug. 2, by reason of the caboose in which they were + riding colliding with some cars on the side track, caused by + Anderson, a telegraph lineman, unloading some poles from a car in + the train upon which they were riding while it was moving, one of + which struck a switch target, opened switch, and caboose ran into + side track and collided with cars. + +And when you have a car loaded with logs in your train see that they +are secure. If you do an accident like the one near Hamlin, January +8th, won't occur: + + Julius Lewinsky, passenger, was injured while riding in coach; + chain on one of the cars gave away, and logs fell off and were + forced through bottom of the coach, striking his left leg. + +It would seem to be a simple matter to see that logs, water pipes, +machinery, or other property liable to fall from cars are properly +secured before car is taken in the train, and so avoid such accidents. +Why not do it? + +When in a terrible rain-storm you are running with a slow order over a +track which is being repaired, don't do it at a speed of 50 or 60 +miles an hour, if you value your life and the lives of those in the +cars behind you. If you don't value them, don't do it because it is +dangerous and your orders tell you not to, and because your family +will suffer if you get killed in the attempt and the company's +property will be damaged, and don't, under such, or any other, +circumstances, run by a station five minutes ahead of time contrary to +Rule 4, and yet that is just what was done on the night of July 2, +when + + James Williams, engineman; Charles Jones, fireman; and two tramps + were killed; and F. C. Stodmeister, brakeman; W. W. McAllister, + baggageman; C. W. H. Brown, Charles Brown, and A. Parsons, + porters; W. J. Smith, telegraph operator; Mrs. Miller, Alice + Eager, and Mrs. David, passengers, and Thomas King, a tramp, were + injured, 1-1/2 miles west of Janeway by train No. 8 running off + derail and knocking down the tower. + +When you get a bulletin prohibiting your running down certain hills or +around curves faster than 30 miles an hour, don't do it at 40 or 50 +miles an hour, as it is unsafe, and yet that is exactly what was done +May 12 near Wilkes, and resulted in the derailment of freight train +No. 18, and + + William Little, brakeman, was killed, M. J. McWheeney, Geo. + Orneson, Jr., O. A. Dalseth, C. F. Shoelkopf, Geo. V. Hickock, and + C. W. Doner, passengers, injured. + +A bulletin was issued by Superintendent Davis prohibiting trains going +down this hill faster than 30 miles an hour. From the statements of +the train crew it would appear that no attention had been paid to this +bulletin, and, from what the passengers say, it has been customary for +a long time for trains coming into Wilkes from Notman and Guilford, if +in sight of each other, to make a race to see which train could get +there first, so as to get out of Wilkes for Joppa without delay. + +Now, there was no excuse for the engineman and conductor not complying +with the order. They both got off without injury, as the parties to +blame for such accidents generally do. Neither was there any excuse +for the train dispatcher not knowing that the order was being +disregarded daily, as the train sheets would tell him that, and he +should have stopped it. To my mind, he was just as guilty as the +engineman and conductor, and should have received the same punishment. +And when disregard of such orders and bulletins are not winked at, +until an accident happens, there will be fewer cases of failure to +observe them. + +Don't try to run around curves 50 or 60 miles an hour, as a train I +was riding on a few weeks ago did and went in the ditch; neither +should freight or passenger trains run over interlocking switches +faster than 15 and 25 miles an hour, respectively, because it is not +safe to do so, and Rule 5 says you must not. Conductors, who are in +supreme command of the train, should pull the air on any engineman who +is running too fast around curves, over bad places, or through +stations, and when you get in, report the matter to your +superintendent, as reckless running should not and will not be +tolerated. + +Next we have the accidents resulting from occasional derailments, +which were not serious, but might have been, and it is the cause, as +well as the result, we want to eliminate, such as: + + Mrs. K. Smith and four other passengers, train No. 6, which was + derailed at Heilprin, Sept. 3. The train was very crowded and + these women were standing up at the time of the accident and were + injured. + + Mrs. Jessie Doan and five other passengers, injured Oct. 11, + caused by train No. 15 being derailed one-half mile east of Morse + station, caused by reason of a brake-shoe on the tank of the + engine coming off; this brake-shoe had an old defect. + + J. E. Fitzsimmons, passenger, injured near Hedley, by derailment + of train No. 316, on which he was riding. + +None of which would have happened if some one had not failed to +perform his duty, and when every accident, no matter how slight, is +investigated by an expert--who reports not to the officer who may be +primarily at fault, but to the chief operating officer--to ascertain +the actual cause and find a remedy, such cases will be largely +eliminated. + +The same is true of injuries like the following, resulting from trains +breaking in two: + + R. B. Janeway, passenger, and J. P. Mitchell, baggageman, injured + Jan. 9th near Gray. Train No. 280 broke in two and rear end ran + into head end. + + George Burgan and W. L. Smith and two other stockmen, injured at + Newport, Neb., Nov. 21st; train broke in two, and when the two + parts came together these men, who were sitting on the locker in + way-car, were knocked down. + +Another class of accidents which are of altogether too frequent +occurrence are injuries caused by trains not stopping long enough for +passengers to alight. + +Frequently the persons injured are old people not accustomed to +traveling, who are necessarily slow in their movements, and of whom we +should take greater care. Think how you or I would feel if our mother +or grandmother, if we were fortunate enough to have them with us +still, were injured just because a conductor or brakeman didn't have +forethought or decency enough to give them time to get off. If you +will do that, there will not be a procession of such cases as the +following, and the companies will be so much ahead. + + Mrs. A. J. Denman, passenger from Norwood to Avon, injured at + Garwin, Sept. 7th; caused by the train not stopping long enough + for her to alight. + + Mrs. C. E. Collinwood and C. Collinwood, passengers on train No. + 32, from Omaha, injured at Hamburg, Oct. 17th; caused by train + starting before they had an opportunity to get off. + + P. J. Wilkins, passenger, injured at Johnsport, at 1:10 a.m., Oct. + 31, getting off train No. 35, while in an intoxicated condition; + brakeman gave signal for train to start as the man was coming down + the steps, thinking as he claims, that the man would have gotten + off before train started; both the brakeman and the conductor of + train knew that the man was intoxicated. + + Sarapino Guiseppi, injured at Engletown, Sept. 26, at 6:15 p.m. + When train stopped at Engletown a number of passengers crowded + onto it and, before this man had an opportunity to get off, the + train started, and, while alighting, he fell and was run over and + lost his left arm. + +It seems to me that if the instructions contained in Rule 19, +requiring the announcing of stations by brakemen, were complied with +and thereby passengers given ample notice of the approach of the train +to their destination, they would be prepared to get off instead of in +the present method, or, rather, lack of method, as the rule is so +seldom observed as to cause comment when it is complied with, and if, +before giving the signal to start, trainmen would get upon the car +platform and look into the cars to see that there was no one else to +get off, especially should this be done at night when passengers are +tired and sleepy, when platform lights are not any too numerous, and +with excursionists, and picnickers who are often none too sober and +who are not accustomed to moving quickly, and if at division terminals +trainmen would pay more attention to assisting passengers off instead +of being in such a hurry to cut off a car, getting their markers, or +getting away from the train, not only would such accidents as those +last enumerated be avoided, but the journey would be made much more +comfortable to passengers; and the road doing this would increase its +traffic. Deadheads, who mostly ride in Pullmans or private cars, do +not realize how annoying and exasperating to paying passengers is the +present method of trainmen, going into the cars and pretending to call +stations in some dead language, or by talking to themselves. In +transferring passengers from express to local trains trainmen must +bear in mind that the passenger is frequently unaccustomed to the +surroundings, is generally overanxious about getting off so as not to +miss connections, and coming from a lighted car out into the darkness, +in his hurry and excitement may not notice that the train is running; +in these cases the train is always moving so smoothly the passenger +thinks (or says he does) that it has stopped, and off he goes, and it +is necessary, to prevent such accidents occurring, to exercise the +greatest care, and by proper announcement make it plain to all such +passengers that ample time will be given them to alight, and that the +train they are to take cannot pull out until after your train does. + +And when you are receiving passengers, especially on mixed or freight +trains, don't start until they have a chance to get seated, and then +such cases as the following won't occur: + + Mrs. A. L. Bishop, passenger on freight train 91 from Milton to + Jessop, had gotten into caboose, but had not time to get seated + before train started with a jerk; she was thrown down and injured. + + Mrs. Mary Hanson, passenger from Grant to Portsmouth, on train 15, + June 4th, 1:15 p.m. Before she had time to get to her seat, train + started, and she was thrown down and injured. + +When you are making your station stop, don't jerk your train, after it +has stopped, or is about to stop, and while the passengers are getting +off, as they surely will commence to do so as soon as (if not before) +the train is stopped. Don't pull up or back up a few feet to get to +the standpipe or coal chute, because if you do, some one is liable to +get hurt, as the following did: + + Dr. H. Q. Johnson, passenger, injured at Dale, Sept 6; train No. + 603, stopped at station platform and then started to move ahead + again. Dr. Johnson stepped from platform onto steps of coach and, + as he did so, brakes were set to emergency and train stopped + suddenly; he was thrown against the edge of vestibule. + + Helen Kennedy, a child 2-1/2 years old, with its parents, was on + train No. 73, bound for Stratford; had gotten up for the purpose + of getting off at Henderson, March 26. Train stopped and as + passengers were on the platform it was backed up without notice, + and this child was thrown, and her arm went between the car + platforms, badly bruising and cutting it, just missed taking it + off. + +And when you are pulling into a station and intend to take water and +are going to run by the pipe a few feet, don't use the emergency brake +to stop with, because, if you do, some one is liable to get hurt. +Nearly every one has been on a train when this has been done contrary +to Rules 42 and 43, and if you enginemen could hear some of the +uncomplimentary remarks that are made about you and the company on +such occasions, you would feel like thirty cents. And when it is +raining to beat the band, stop your trains so that the passengers can +get off opposite the station building and avoid getting wet, do not +pull them by a couple of hundred feet just because the locomotive is +thirsty. Pull up to the tank after the passengers get on and off, so +says Rule 24, and the women, and men, too, for that matter, will think +you are a dandy and vote for you the next time you run for school +trustee; and perhaps, by so doing, you may prevent your best girl +spoiling her dress. + +And when you are running an engine you want to know that its +grease-cups are screwed on tight and that its brake-shoes are not +cracked, if you do not want to have cases like the following: + + Fred. C. Mitchell, while waiting for a train on station platform + at Lucian, Feb. 1st, was struck and fatally injured by a + grease-cup plug from engine No. 206. + + Chas. C. Wilson, standing on the platform at Newton, June 30th, to + take passage on a train; brake-shoe on engine No. 716, running + through the station at 60 or 65 miles an hour, broke, and part of + it struck him on the foot. + +One of the rules most frequently disregarded is No. 11, prohibiting a +train on the double track pulling through a station while another one +is standing there unloading passengers. + +About nine times out of ten you can do it without an accident, but the +tenth time some one will get hurt and you will get a vacation from 30 +days to life. I know it is tantalizing, when you are pulling a fast +train and are, perhaps a little late, to be compelled to stop and wait +until the other train has pulled out, and its last car passed the end +of the platform nearest you, when you could sneak through the station +and save a little time, and perhaps no harm be done and no one be the +wiser; but don't do it, because the rule says you must not. + +If that part of the rule which says, "When two trains are nearing a +station from opposite directions at the same time, and only one of +them is scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed +and let the other through the station before it arrives" was complied +with, the trouble would be largely overcome. + +You men who are running stations should see that your platform lamps +are not only kept clean and properly filled, but that after dark they +are burning so that passengers won't get hurt falling off platforms in +the dark, and that the platforms are kept clear of freight as per Rule +17; that baggage and express trucks are placed where patrons won't +fall over them, and, if there is a fast train coming, especially a +mail or newspaper train, notify the passengers and get them inside the +depot, the only safe place at such times. Especially is this necessary +on the double track. If there is a broken plank or a hole in the +station platform, nail a board over it until the carpenters can get +around to fix it. See that the platforms are kept clear of snow and +ice; but when there is ice on the platform throw ashes or sand over +the ice so that people won't slip on it. And if you have people +waiting for trains at your station, especially in the night-time, see +that the fire in the stove in the waiting-room is kept going so that +they will be comfortable and not catch cold. It will take you less +time to do these things than it will to make a report of an injury, +and then cases like these won't be put up to your claim agent to guess +at: + + Mrs. J. P. Gedney, injured at Ontario, June 24, 10:27 p.m., was + at station to take passage on train No. 17, went out of a lighted + waiting-room onto a dark platform and fell. + + Mrs. Mollis Schmella and Dr. Cleveland, injured, passengers on + train 31, arrived at Altruria 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21st; + raining; got off train, no lights on platform; doors of depot + locked, and fell from platform to track. + + M. O. Hudson, passenger from Elton to Woodbridge, on train No. 47, + arriving at latter place Aug. 28th, at 12:30 a.m., got off coach + and ran up to baggage car to get baggage; in doing so ran against + train signal on platform, was thrown down and injured; no lights + on platform or in signal. + + S. W. Thomas, passenger on train No. 48, injured at Harkrader, Oct + 21st, at 11:20 p.m., was getting off chair car, which stood 150 + ft. south of the platform; there were no lights, and the porter + had no lantern, and when he stepped from the car step to the + porter's box he slipped and fell. + +And sweep the car platforms, so passengers won't slip on banana peels, +and then such a case as the following won't happen: + + H. T. Witheridge, injured at Wingate, Aug. 4, 1903, caused by his + slipping on a banana peeling left on the platform of a coach in + train No. 176 by the car cleaners. + +When passengers are carried on freight trains Rule 12 says the car in +which they are riding must stop at the platform to unload them. Don't +do it out in the yard, and, if you have to do switching after +unloading the passengers, stop at the station platform as you are +pulling out and give the passengers a chance to get on and not compel +them to go into the yard in order to do so. If at night, they might +fall into a culvert or over some obstruction alongside the track and +get hurt, and, if the platform at the station is short, arrange your +work so as to make one stop where the passengers can get off safely, +and notify them, so they will know when they can do so; and be sure to +assist them in getting on and off, especially the old men and women, +the children, and the cripples (that is what Rule 23 says, you always +do it for the young and pretty girls) and then we won't be trying to +conjure up excuses for cases like the following, or pay for them +either: + + Miss Belle Saunders, injured at Milwood, Dec. 14, was a passenger + on train No. 16 from Homer to Milwood. A mixed train. It was + stopped some distance from the passenger station; the passengers + were allowed to alight, and in getting from the track to the + street going down the embankment she fell and sprained her left + ankle. It has been the custom to stop this train at this point for + some time and allow the passengers to get off there, the busses + coming up as near as they could to take them to the hotel. + + Mrs. A. Zuehlke, injured at Granby, Oct. 10th, at 6:10 p.m., in + getting off a train on which she had been riding as a passenger; + the station platform is so short that only the platform of one car + in train can be stopped at it. + + Mrs. Mary H. Crawford, passenger, injured at Beulah, Oct. 13th, + getting off train No. 35; porter allowed her to fall, and she + stepped between platform and car steps. + +Many of the roads have the steps on coaches that come near enough to +the ground so that such accidents are practically impossible, but on +the Pullmans and on cars of some of the roads they are so high from +the station platform as to require a ladder to get on them. Why they +are not all made on a proper and safe standard no one seems to know. + +Another cause of injury to passengers, especially children, who always +want the windows open, is by the windows falling and injuring them. +Nearly always their little hands or fingers get hurt; or by +ventilators falling on their heads. When you have an accident caused +by a window falling examine it immediately and, if the catches are all +right, show the injured person or, if a child, the man or woman in +whose charge it is traveling, that is was not the fault of the window +catch, and at the same time call the attention of some intelligent +passenger and of your brakeman to the matter and have them try the +window catch, and send in their names and addresses with your report. +If, however, the catch is defective report the fact, but don't +advertise it, and whenever you find any defective catches or anything +else wrong about a car in your train call the attention of the first +car repairer you meet to the matter and have it repaired, and report +it to your superintendent. If the car repairers would make an +examination of the windows, their catches, and of the ventilators, for +the purpose of finding out their actual condition, we would get rid of +many such cases. Do the same thing with the matting in the aisles, and +when there is a hole in it get it fixed, or get a new one. If you +can't do that, take the matting up and so prevent any one falling on +it. + + Ruth Darman, child five years old, injured December 25th, near + Correctionville, was riding in coach 269, train No. 39; caused by + ventilator window falling and striking her, injuring her head. + + J. E. Wills, passenger on train No. 25, January 25th, stumbled + over the zinc at end of matting, which was out of condition, in + coach No. 659. + + Mrs. Jones, passenger, injured September 23d, at Junction, was + riding in coach 480, train 65, when train stopped at Junction. She + walked to rear end of coach and in doing so caught her foot in a + hole in the aisle matting and fell forward on her face. + + Nora Holm, 3 years of age, injured near Henshaw, July 24th; caused + by a window in coach 338, train 9, falling on her arm, on account + of a defective spring. + +And, speaking of aisles, so far as possible get passengers to keep +their valises, suit cases, and bundles out of the aisles so that other +passengers won't fall over them. If the glass in a door gets broken, +when the train is running, be sure that the glass is taken out of the +frame, so that passengers won't catch their hands on it. Take pains to +see that your passengers, especially the old and infirm, the women, +and children, are provided with seats, and when some passenger, +whether man or woman, who has paid for only one seat or is riding on a +pass, is occupying three or four seats, have them make room for those +standing. Pay some attention to ventilation--in cold weather open the +ventilators on the side the smoke trails on, and then there won't be +any draught. In other words, comply with Rule 20 and then cases like +the following, which seem to be on the increase, won't happen: + + Mrs. Alice Gahriels, passenger from Clinton, Iowa, to Lincoln, + Neb., on train No. 3, June 2d, while returning from the dining car + between Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine stumbled over a valise which + was left in the aisle of the chair car and fell and was injured. + + Mrs. Little, passenger, injured at Van Buren Street depot at 9:52 + p.m., March 9th, was alighting from train No. 594, and in doing so + took hold of frame of vestibule door of coach. The glass in door + had been broken and this lady's hand was seriously cut on the + broken pieces which had not been taken out of the frame. + + +EJECTMENT OF PASSENGERS AND OTHERS FROM TRAINS + +Everyone is supposed to know that neither passengers or tramps should +be ejected from a train when it is in motion, and, in the case of +passengers, the ejectment must only be made at an open station, so +that the person ejected will have a place of shelter if at night or if +it is storming; that women and children of tender years must not be +ejected at all; and that if a person refusing to pay his fare is in +such condition as to be unable to care for himself, he must be placed +in custody of the nearest station agent. So says Rule 21, which also +tells you to make a report of the ejectment, giving the cause thereof +and names of the witnesses on Form 992, a blank which every conductor +running a train that carries passengers should have in his set of +blanks, and use it when he puts anyone off. + +The principal trouble in ejectment cases is when passengers are put +off away from a station or when tramps are put off while the train is +in motion, resulting often in a serious injury, and, while very +frequently the patience of trainmen is severely tried by these +"hoboes," don't put them off when the train is moving. After all, they +are human beings and we don't want to maim or kill them. So stop the +train; and don't shoot them unless in self-defense. I mention the +following as a few sample cases: + + Charles Williston, while in an intoxicated condition, attempted to + get on train No. 16 while same was in motion, at Alger, March + 16th. Baggageman and express messenger was standing inside door of + car and saw this man getting on; went to the front door, had the + cross bar in his hands, and ordered the man off. In getting off, + Williston fell and his leg was run over. + + Edw. Hock, injured at Smithville, March 25th, by being ejected + from extra freight train, while same was running six or seven + miles an hour. Hock had got on train, having been told by someone + that he could ride on it--having mileage--and conductor made him + get off while train was in motion, and in getting off he was + injured. + + Louis Nelson, colored boy, had been stealing a ride on train No. + extra 112; was ordered off by conductor at Avon, May 19th; after + he got off conductor shot him in the arm. + + James Mills, injured at Pewaukee, October 21st, got on milk train + for the purpose of stealing a ride. Was ordered off by brakeman + while train was in motion. In getting off he fell and was run over. + +When passengers are injured _by stones or anything else thrown +through or at the windows of cars_ render them such assistance as +you can; have the company's surgeon called to treat them, and if the +stone or object which broke the glass or which caused the injury comes +in the car pick it up and mark it so that you can identify it in the +future and send it in with your report, as per Rules 35 and 40. It is +as unfortunate that so many such cases occur as it is that there is no +way by which railroads can prevent them, and until the State and +municipal authorities take a hand in the matter they will continue to +happen and passengers will continue to lose their vision. + + +INJURIES TO PATRONS AND DAMAGE TO THEIR PROPERTY + +Next come the accidents in which patrons are injured and their +property damaged. It is generally understood, and has been the custom +on all railroads, and Rule 50 requires, that before going onto a track +on which cars are placed to be loaded or unloaded by patrons or +employees it is the duty of the person in charge of the crew to go +along the track to ascertain if there is anyone in the cars, loading +or unloading them, or wagons close enough to the cars to be injured or +damaged by their movement, and, if so, to give ample warning in order +that such persons, wagons, and gang planks may be moved to a safe +place. In the mining district especial care should be exercised in +handling cars being loaded or unloaded by the mining companies' +employees, many of whom do not understand our language or the danger +of the business, in order that ample opportunity be given them to get +off the car before it is moved. How often that rule and custom is +violated is shown by the following cases: + + Ludwig Hoffmeister, injured at Montmorency, July 12; some cars + were switched down against the car from which he was unloading + apples, without notice to him, and he was thrown down and injured. + + H. Schurmann, laborer, injured April 2 at Hennessy. He was in car + piling tile when the car was struck by a car of coal dropped in on + that track, knocking the tile down on Schurmann. + + Foster & Roberts Co., for value of building at Lewiston, May 3. + Engineman and fireman left engine and went into factory to get a + drink; the engine with car ran away and knocked building down. + + Car loaded with salt; was being kicked down main line at Hawkins, + October 12, brakes broke, car ran in on side track and struck + another car, knocking it against side of building belonging to + Blumenthal & Co., breaking in the walls and damaging machinery. + + June 8, switching crew at Kempshall backed a box car against the + ammonia pipe which carries ammonia from the brewery to the + bottling works of the Kempshall Brewing Company, knocking down the + pipe, which was only twelve feet high, allowing the ammonia to + escape. + +No one will pretend that these accidents and consequent injuries and +losses could not have been avoided by the exercise of a little +forethought and care. Why not do it and stop them in the future, avoid +the injuries and save the money they cost? + + +ACCIDENTS TO TRAVELERS ON THE HIGHWAY + +The increasing frequency of accidents to travelers crossing the tracks +at highways, one-third of which the country over are fatal, are caused +by the increased number and speed of trains, increase in the +population of the territory through which the roads run, by the +failure to always give the required signal of the approach of the +train, frequently by freight trains passing through stations at a +speed prohibited by Rule 6, by failure to have gates or flagmen at +crossings where they are needed, by failure of gatemen and flagmen, +when provided, to properly perform their duties on account of +ignorance or carelessness, generally the former; but chiefly is the +increase caused by failure on the part of the persons crossing the +track to exercise any care whatever. Gates and flagmen are generally +disregarded by adults and, as a natural consequence, by children, and +the result is death and injury. I think that as a matter of dollars +and cents it would be profitable to the companies to increase the +number and quality of flagmen and have greater supervision given to +this class of the service, as it seems to me a self-evident +proposition that the lower the grade of labor the more supervision +there is needed. + +Among the many cases of this kind, I have selected some which will +illustrate the matter. They are selected for the purpose of calling +the attention of employees to accidents which might be avoided by the +exercise of care on their part, and do not include any cases caused by +such negligence on the part of the person injured as should bar a +recovery. + + Herbert Janson, wife, daughter, son and George Griffith killed; + Morris Peck and Henry Blume injured, December 18, at 9:00 p.m., + while driving across the tracks at Haskell; caused by sleigh being + struck by engine running forty miles an hour. Headlight not + burning, as required by Rule 55. No flagman at this crossing at + night. + + H. S. Sorner, who was riding in an automobile across the tracks at + Morton, April 14, was struck by engine; automobile was demolished + but occupants not seriously injured. No gates or flagman at this + crossing. + + Jacob Reich and Elbert Harris struck and killed while driving on + 13th St., Montgomery, May 29, at 5:30 p.m., by engine. Gates up. + The piano wagon on which these men were riding was demolished as + well as the piano, and the horse killed. + + K. L. Manson, injured, rural mail carrier, struck by switch engine + No. 869, at Woodmont Ave., Custer, June 12. There are gates at + this crossing, but they had not been operated for a year on + account of being out of repair. + + Gertrude Schiff, aged sixteen years, and Gustave Schiff, aged + twenty years, were injured while driving across the tracks at + first crossing east of Granton, August 9, at 6:35 p.m., by being + struck by engine. No whistle was blown for the station and bell + not rung. The station employee, whose duty it was to be on the + crossing to flag same when trains were passing, had left there + only an instant before the accident in order to go to the station + house to assist in loading and unloading baggage for another + train. + + H. L. Connors, driving across the tracks near Lowell, November 18, + was struck by engine. No whistle sounded or bell rung for the + crossing. Whistling post not in right place. + + M. A. Graves, while crossing the tracks at 9th Avenue and Wilbert + street, Ontario, May 8, was struck by switch engine. No one on the + engine knew that the accident had occurred. + + Edward Langdon struck and killed by engine at 7:21 p.m., August + 6, at Water and Orchard streets, Berlin. No one on the engine knew + that an accident had occurred; train traveling twenty-five miles + an hour. Ordinance provides speed limit of twelve miles an hour; + gates at this crossing, but not in operation. If Rule 6 had been + complied with this accident would not have occurred. + + Wagon belonging to the Empire Novelty Company struck at Calkins at + 9:37 a.m., October 29; wagon and contents badly damaged. Flagman + at crossing claims to have been sick at the time of the accident, + was in his shanty sitting down. He could not speak or understand + English. Driver injured. + +Many of these crossing accidents occur and no one on the engine knows +that they happen. Whether it is because of the kind and position of +the headlight now used or because the men on the engine are not +keeping a proper lookout or by reason of the recent manner of +construction of the large engines, making it impossible for the men in +charge always to see an object on the track, I do not know, but I +notice that some of the Class G-9 engines have the air cylinder and +pump on top of the running board. While riding on a train the other +day, I asked an old runner whether they obstructed the view. His +answer was an object lesson. He took his hat and placed it in front of +the window opposite which I was riding and asked me if that obstructed +my view. The cylinder could, I think, be put on the tank and the pump +below the running board, which is now made wide enough to hold a +political meeting on. Formerly they were narrow, just wide enough for +a man to walk on, the old theory of construction being, as I +understand it, that there should be nothing protruding from the sides +of the boiler which would prevent the man in the cab seeing the +bunting beam. If it were practicable to so construct the running +boards and place air cylinders, pumps, etc., so that this could now be +done, the engineman would certainly have a much better chance to see, +and possibly some of these accidents be avoided. + +And while the public insist upon our running trains at a high rate of +speed and guarding the crossings with gates, flagmen, or warning +bells, they, at the same time, for some inexplicable as well as +unconscionable reason, attempt to hold railroads liable for all deaths +and injuries, no matter how great the care and foresight the companies +have exercised, or how gross the neglect of the injured party. It +therefore behooves us to do everything possible to prevent such +accidents, not only that we may thereby save life, but also money. + +If gatemen and flagmen were uniformed and given authority to arrest +persons crossing the track when gates are down and a penalty provided +and enforced against people attempting to cross or walk upon a +railroad track when the gates are down or they are warned by a +flagman, accidents at crossings would be greatly reduced. As it is now +the public compels the erection of the gates and then almost +universally disregards them. + +Before leaving this subject of accidents at highway crossings I want +to call attention to Rule 12, which says that when cars are being +pushed by an engine (except when shifting or making up trains in +yards) a flagman must be on the leading car, and Rule 9, which +requires that when cars are being switched over highway or street +railway crossings a man must be stationed on the ground to act as +flagman. Too much importance cannot be placed upon the observance of +these rules, not occasionally, but always. If employees would comply +with them fewer people would be injured. Try it and see. + +In municipalities, run as slowly and carefully as you can and see that +the engine bell is always ringing. Rule 3. Freight trains in going +through stations should reduce their speed and do so under control, as +per Rule 6. The fireman, as well as the engineman, should be on his +seat keeping a lookout, and not engaged in waving a signal to some one +on another train or elsewhere, or putting in a fire, and the engineman +should see that he does this. On the double track when you are going +to meet another train at a crossing, try to get the engine over the +highway before the tail end of the other train gets by it. If you +can't do that, slow up a little, so as to give the people who may be +waiting a chance to see you, and, if you think there is danger, open +your whistle to let them know that you are coming; that is what the +whistle is for. + +In the country be sure to sound the whistle; not once, but four times +as required by Rule 2, and see that the bell is kept ringing until the +crossing is passed, at dangerous and obscure crossings where you can +neither see the travelers approaching nor they you; if you are running +at a high rate of speed, sound the whistle before you get to the post, +as well as at it. The law requiring the giving of this warning eighty +rods from the highway was enacted when few trains exceeded twenty-five +miles an hour. Now, when few passenger trains make less than forty, +and many over seventy, in the open country, so little time elapses +between the sounding of the whistle and the reaching of the highway +that when possible more timely notice should be given. + +And I want to say here that one of the difficulties met with in this +class of cases, is the fact that sometimes engineers fail to blow the +whistle and ring the bell, and as long as men are human I suppose such +things will happen; but let us commence now and try to do it every +time. The greater the storm of rain, snow, or wind, the denser the +fog, or the darker the night, the more important it is to give the +warning. In most of the states the law provides penalties for failure +to sound whistle or bell. Some day they will be enforced. + +If there is any way to discover whether the engineman and trainmen are +observing the signals, which are located along the track for the +protection of the passengers, other employees, travelers on the +highways, themselves, and the property in their care, other than +having inspectors observe their action on approaching signals, and +ascertain if they give the required warning of their approach to +highway crossings, etc., and you will advise the managements what it +is, I am sure they will be glad to adopt such a plan. It has always +been customary to have auditors examine the accounts of officers and +agents handling money to see that not only are their accounts correct, +that the money collected is remitted, but also to ascertain if the +business of the company is done in accordance with the rules and a +correct record kept of the transactions. No one for an instant thinks +that the fact that the officers' and agents' accounts are examined is +any discredit to them; most of us are not only willing but anxious +that it should be done, as it is a protection to us as well as to the +company. And if it is necessary to check up the officers and agents +who handle money, is it not much more necessary to check up men who +handle human beings and property of immense value, to see that they +observe signals and rules before, instead of after, an accident? + +And as it sometimes happens that an engineman will not notice that his +headlight has gone out, especially when there is snow on the ground, +any employee who sees an engine moving after dark without the +headlight burning should stop it and tell the engineman; if you can't +do it yourself call up the train dispatcher, so he can do it at the +next station. + + +TRESPASSERS + +Occasionally we have an accident in which trespassers are killed or +injured while walking or playing on the tracks, which might be avoided +by greater care and watchfulness to discover their danger, by warning +them of the approaching train, either by continuous sounding of the +whistle, by slowing up, or by stopping when you have reason to think +they do not know a train is coming, especially on the double track +when trains are moving on both tracks. The most heartrending of them +all are injuries to children, and, sometimes, to women. + +Let me cite you several of such cases: + + Albert Jennings, ten years old, was sitting on the tracks north of + Lampton, July 9, at 10:45 a.m., where he was struck by a work + train of twenty-two empty flats backing north and both legs + crushed. Air not coupled in as required by Rule 44; no hand brakes + on the cars. Conductor was on the front car; claims he was keeping + a lookout, and although he had a clear view for over a quarter of + a mile says he did not see the boy until he was within three or + four car lengths of him. + + Charles West, aged eighteen months, struck and killed 1,000 feet + south of Savannah Station, June 16, by train. Child came on track + through a break in the right of way fence. + + Margaret Kennedy, struck and killed on June 13, at 6:10 p.m., + while walking on the tracks inside the city limits of Utopia, by + engine running about twenty-five miles an hour; although the + engineman saw her in time to have stopped, he did not realize that + she did not see or hear the train coming, and failed to do so. + + Mrs. Helen Boston, eighty-four years old, struck and killed on a + bridge near Lenox, September 1, at 4:35 p.m., by engine. Track is + straight for about two miles and a half east of place of accident, + and the woman wore a bright pink dress skirt. No one on the engine + knew the accident had happened. + + December 21, engine ran over G. P. Krauss, at 5:40 p.m., a quarter + of a mile south of Slazenger. Engineman says he saw something + lying on the track and thought it was a bough of evergreen. He did + not know until he reached the station that anybody had been struck. + +As the traffic and population increase, cases of this kind grow in +number, and, for some unknown reason, the public think that, while +they must keep off the property of private individuals, where there is +no danger, they are privileged to go onto a railroad track where +everyone knows there is great danger, and after doing so a few times, +the courts say they have a license to do so, and that we must look out +for them and see that they don't get hurt. On the same theory I +suppose the courts would say after a man burglarizes your house six or +seven times that he has a license to try it again, and if he gets hurt +because too much force was used in throwing him out, that you must +respond in damages. So when you discover that people, old or young, +are making a custom of walking through the yards or on the track, +report it to your superintendent before, not after, someone is killed +or injured, and he will try to stop it. And if you find a child or a +drunken man on the track, drive him off, because if you don't they are +likely to get killed; and your company will not only back you up but +thank you for your thoughtfulness. + + +INJURIES TO OUTSIDERS + +Rule 27 says that cars must be placed so as not to project over +highway crossings, and yet any one going over a railroad will see any +number of them so left, and the result is that about once in so often +a wagon strikes a car in an attempt to get across, a horse is +frightened, and a runaway results, someone is hurt, and money paid to +settle the claim. + + A serious case of this kind occurred at Warburton, July 9, in + which Mrs. Jansen was fatally injured, caused by her horse being + frightened by a freight car which was left standing fifteen feet + in the highway, the end of the car being on the crossing plank. + Horse ran away and she was thrown out. + +When cars are left in such position they not only frighten horses and +cause accidents similar to the one last mentioned, but also obstruct +the view of approaching trains. Both the law and rules of the company +prohibit this, and the practice should be stopped. + +And right here I want to call attention to Rule 32, which prohibits +engines standing within 100 feet of a highway crossing, under a +bridge, or near cars occupied by passengers, when it can be avoided, +and yet the rule is so often disregarded that one wonders whether any +one knows of its existence. Especially is this so with engines hauling +passenger trains stopping at stations and occupying half of the +highway, when they could just as conveniently be back some distance +from it. + +The stoppage of trains with the rear car standing in the highway +should also be avoided so far as possible, particularly in the winter +time, when there is always more or less steam leaking from the hose, +as it is likely to frighten horses waiting to get by or in crossing +the track. + +Rules 18 and 50 say that trains must not block highway crossings more +than five minutes. The failure to observe these rules is the cause of +as much, if not more, criticism and profanity on the part of the +public than almost any other one thing that train and switchmen do. No +one but the person who is waiting to get across the track, and +sometimes it is a doctor answering an emergency call, can realize how +tantalizing and annoying it is, so, for goodness sake, observe the +rules in the future. + + +LOCK TURNTABLES + +Turntables should be locked (that is what Rule 31 says), and yet they +are often left unlocked. The result is that children are attracted to +the place, and sooner or later one of the little ones gets hurt as did +the following, which are cited as examples: + + Anthony Young, a ten-year-old boy, had his foot caught at + Grandison, March 30, while playing on turntable which was + unlocked. + + Phillip Chartres, eight years old, injured at Alvin, August 14, + 2:30 p.m., while playing on turntable, which is about 1,400 feet + north of roundhouse. Turntable was not locked. + +Now, it wouldn't take but an instant to lock the turntable. Why not do +it and prevent some child, perhaps your own, from going through life a +cripple? + +Be careful not to leave any torpedoes around that are not attached to +the rail, as required by Rule 7, and never put them on a rail in a +highway; if you do children may pick them up and in playing with them +get injured as did + + John Newton, aged nine years, June 30, about two miles north of + Walker. This little boy with his sister and another boy were + returning from school, walking along the track. They picked up a + torpedo lying alongside the track, and after trying to open it + with a knife young Newton placed the torpedo on the rail and + struck it with a stone, the torpedo exploded and pieces of the tin + striking him in the eyes and face, badly injuring him. + + +DAMAGE BY FIRE TO ADJACENT PROPERTY + +One of the great risks that every railroad that uses coal for fuel +runs is the risk of fire to adjacent property started by sparks or +ashes from engines. Any man running an engine ought to know from the +sparks thrown out and fires started whether the engine is in good or +bad order. Rule 29 says that the enginemen must report defects in +netting and ash pans; this is required so that if the inspector +overlooks the defect, or if one occurs between the regular +inspections, it will be remedied before any damage is done, and if an +engine is throwing more fire than she ought to, it is up to the +engineer to report it and get it fixed. It will take less time than to +make a report about the fire and condition of the engine, and, at the +same time save both the owner of the property and the company a loss. +In the lumber and sawmill country it is especially important that this +be done, and where engines are working in or around sawmills, lumber +yards, powder and tie plants, and other places where danger of fire is +great, the apparatus for preventing the escape of fire should be +absolutely perfect, and it ought to be the personal business of the +engineman to know that fact; he should be present when the inspection +is made, and see that it is done thoroughly, the same as he would if +he and not the company had to foot the bill if the engine started a +fire. + +On the outlying divisions where traffic is light and trains are few, +if an engine starts a fire, stop and put it out. If conditions are +such that you can't do that with safety, drop a note off to the first +section crew or agent, so that they can send men out to extinguish the +fire. If you don't the Lord only knows where it may run to (on the +western prairies I have known it to go twenty-five miles) or how much +damage it will do in the lumber country. + +If the precautions suggested here, which are neither new nor original, +but can be found in the rules and on the bulletin boards, had been +adopted, none of the following cases would have occurred: + + June 3, engine No. 2041 started a fire at Hansel & Woods Company's + powder plant at Myron Valley; netting on this engine was in bad + order; the hood provided by the company to be placed over the + smokestacks of engines going into the plant of this company also + in bad condition. + + A house and contents burned April 20, one-half mile south of Fort + Andrew, started by engine No. 1759. This engine was inspected and + reported to be in good condition, but upon re-examination was + found to be defective. + + On August 17, engine No. 539 set out three fires between Selkirk + and Belmont. Fires were observed by train crew, but train was not + stopped, and no effort was made to extinguish the fires, which + burned over 15,000 acres of ground, destroyed about 1,100 tons of + hay in stack, one building, a large acreage of winter feed, fence + posts, etc. + + +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THE CARELESSNESS OF OTHER EMPLOYEES + +And, first, as in the case of passengers, those caused by collisions. +From the number of collisions on the main track and in yards one would +almost think that the general and fundamental customs and rules on +railroads that "In case of doubt always adopt the safe course," and +that "Speed must always be sacrificed to safety" were seldom observed; +on the contrary, I believe it to be the exception and not the rule, +else the number of accidents resulting from such failure, though many +times what they should be (and as long as men are human we will have +some accidents), would be so much greater in number that people would +be unwilling to travel at all. I believe that in the near future the +number of such cases will be so greatly reduced that the least +thoughtful of us will stand aghast at the record of 1904 and 1905, and +that these fundamental rules and the instructions contained in what +are known as the "Flag Rules" and "Caution Card," will be so strictly +observed and enforced _and that blocking of trains by space_, not +time, intervals will become so general as to practically eliminate +this class of accidents, which are caused: + +By failure to watch for and observe block and other signals. + +By trains following each other too closely. + +By trains following at too high a rate of speed. + +By failure to protect trains stopped on the main track. + +By cars not being left in to clear at sidings. + +By switches being left wrong. + +By lack of caution in time of storm or fog; and + +By general carelessness and failure to realize the terrible result +which is bound to follow any lack of care, failure to comply with the +rules and _the uncertainty of detection and punishment if such +carelessness and failure to comply with rules does not cause an +accident_. + +Every man in the train, engine, and switching service ought to have +every requirement of these rules by heart, understand exactly what +they mean, and be ready at any instant, and in any weather, to execute +them to the letter, and no punishment should be too severe for failure +to observe them to the very letter, for on their faithful observance +depend the lives of passengers--it may be some of your own loved +ones--of employees, and the safety of the property entrusted to the +companies for transportation, as well as their own. And yet, if the +instructions contained in the two fundamental rules and those known as +the "Flag Rules" had been observed, none of the following cases and +many others that help fill the records and the daily press would have +happened. It is a standing disgrace that such accidents happen, and +the sooner employees help get the careless and reckless men and the +drones out of the service, as it is your duty to yourself and the +companies to do, the quicker the traveling public, yourselves, the +property in transit, and that belonging to your employer and +yourselves, will be safe and the greater your certainty of getting to +the end of your run to be welcomed by the wife and children awaiting +you. + +In this connection I want to suggest to the enginemen that when you +discover a cause for the sending out of a flagman give him a chance to +go back before you get stopped, so that he can cover the required +distance quicker. And as these rules are among the most important, if +not the most important, in the book, I call especial attention to +them. + +The following cases will illustrate how much room there is for +improvement in this regard: + + Joseph Atkinson, brakeman, injured September 26, at Muggleton. He + was standing on top of way-car in train which stopped just west of + the depot and then started up and ran into side of freight train. + + Alexander Peabody, engineer, George F. Smivins, fireman, injured + at 10 p.m., October 3, on track 3, near Penryn Ave., Peltonville; + engine No. 784 was backing down track 3, and collided with engine + No. 1891 standing on that track. Instructions require engines + running on this track must run at slow rate of speed, so as to be + able to stop within their vision. The engine was running so fast + that it could not stop, although Engineer Peabody saw engine No. + 1891 when 300 feet distant. + + J. L. McPherson, yardmaster, and Jacob Gonorowski, brakeman, + injured at Peeweezle, July 28, were in caboose of extra engine No. + 674, which was stopping for drawbridge, when engine No. 937, + Engineman Isidore Guggenheimer, ran into the rear of train. + + Luke M. Peters, engineer, injured April 14 at Aromintap, was in + charge of engine No. 2143, backing around Y, when train No. 31 + backed into extra No. 7326, to which engine No. 2143 was attached. + + L. P. Jarvis, engineer, and Samuel Minns, fireman, injured + November 20, at 7:15 a.m., one-half mile east of Peeble's Corners; + engine No. 759 had just backed in on side track with work train, + and switch had not yet been closed; engine No. 1473, train No. 48, + Engineer Tibbits, Conductor Perry, came along at a high rate of + speed, and ran into this open switch just east of the home signal, + colliding with engine No. 759. + + February 14, at 8:20 p.m., one mile north of Indianapolis, Ohio + division, extra freight engine, Packard conductor, collided with + Ohio division passenger train No. 11. This freight train had an + order to run from Indianapolis to Cameron as an extra. Indiana + division passenger train 141, due at Indianapolis at 8 p.m., was + 15 minutes late. Conductor Packard of the extra was on station + platform when this train pulled in. He supposed it was Ohio + division No. 11 and so told his engineer, and pulled out and met + No. 11 a mile from the station. Two engineers and one fireman were + killed and five trainmen injured. If Rule 53 requiring conductors + and engineers of trains at meeting points to ascertain by word of + mouth what trains they are had been complied with accident would + have been avoided. + + Nov. 5 freight train No. 52 slowed down to take side track at Park + Rapids when extra freight moving in same block, on caution card, + ran into caboose and rear brakeman was killed. If Rules 7, 14 or + 15 had been complied with accident would not have occurred. + +Rule 12a says: When you get a train order the conductors must read it +aloud and then sign it and show it to the engineman, the rear brakeman +or flagman, and the engineman must show it to the fireman and in case +of freight train to the head brakeman, who are required to read it, +the object being that every employee on the train will know what the +order is and if the engineman or conductor forget it the brakeman or +fireman may remember and by remembering prevent an accident. + + +DERAILMENTS + +Next come injuries caused by derailments, which generally result from +running into open switches, off derails, too fast running at bad +places in the track, defective equipment or track. Nearly all of the +cases would be avoided by careful running, proper inspection of track +and equipment, and by compliance with the rules. + + Oct. 21. 10 a.m. Passenger train 41 derailed near Venice while + running around a reverse curve fifty miles an hour. Engineer + killed; fireman and twenty passengers injured. + + April 27. Way car jumped track at middle lead switch in Pewaukee + yard and switchman Jno. Williams killed; Jas. Grant and Robert + Riley injured. + + Lemuel Izzard and L. Wackles, killed; R. P. Bownes, engineman, + Roderick Bloke, stockman, Robert Castel, fireman, C. Plympton, + brakeman, injured, four miles west of Beadleston, July 24. Train + No. 36 had broken air hose or axle, derailing and throwing third + car from engine onto westbound track just as train No. 98 was + coming. Train No. 98 ran into derailed car and 14 cars of time + freight burned up. Izzard and Wackles were stealing a ride on + train No. 36. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT + +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by defects in the +equipment, especially in that of freight cars and engines. They are of +such frequent occurrence as to no longer attract attention, but when +the time comes _that the man who inspects reports not to the foreman, +whose duty it is to keep the equipment in repair, but to a superior, +whose duty it is to find defects_, there will be a material reduction +in such cases. Train and enginemen should report defects discovered by +them on Form 995 and attach card to truss rod of car or locomotive +tank. And first we will take up those caused by defective cars: + + J. I. Smindorf, brakeman, killed at Snook's Junction, by falling + from car, September 8, at 7:40 p.m. The running board was rotten + and full of holes; the brake at the north end of the car would not + hold on account of having a loose ratchet wheel. + + P. L. Merritt, conductor, injured at Pencost, November 12, was + climbing down side of car; screw pulled out of top handhold, + allowing Merritt to fall to the ground, striking on a rail. + + Randolph Smuck, brakeman, injured at Parrott, April 3, was going + down side car; stirrup was gone and he fell to the ground. + + Matthew Brummage, switchman, injured January 4, at Keewahtah, was + riding on car which was being switched; he tightened the brake, + but the dog was in bad order and he had to hold brake with his + hand. There was two inches of slack on the bottom brake rod, the + chain slipped, and he was thrown from the car and his left foot + run over. + +How many of the accidents caused by defective running boards, +handholds, ladders and brakes would have been avoided had Rules 25, +26, and 28, requiring trainmen to examine cars, brakes, and ladders +and to set out bad order cars been complied with, I leave you to +guess. And why when such defects are discovered by train and yard men +they do not report them to the next crew taking the car, so as to +prevent any of the latter being injured, I never could understand. + +One cause of the great increase in accidents by trains breaking in two +and by defective couplers is probably on account of the fact that many +of the automatic couplers are commencing to wear out and are not +repaired or renewed promptly enough, and, also, because the levers and +chains of the coupling apparatus do not receive sufficient attention. +Another reason is because of the unnecessarily hard usage given the +couplers, especially in the yards where trains are made up. Just why +an appliance to save life and limb should be abused by the employees, +for whose benefit it was put on the cars and engines, is one of the +things which it would take a mind-reader to answer. But the truth of +the matter is, as every experienced adjuster knows, that the automatic +coupler has cost the railroads for equipment and freight damaged many +times over what it cost them to settle claims for personal injuries +caused by the old link and pin coupler; and when the brotherhoods take +up such matters as this and try to remedy them, they will not have so +many crippled members drawing insurance for permanent disabilities, +which would have been avoided by the proper handling of cars. + +Another class of injuries which has come with the safety appliance is +that caused by the bursting of air hose, and it is surprising how many +of them there are. + +Some day a man will get up a hose which won't burst, or which will +give notice of its intention so to do, and we will all rise up and +bless him. The following are samples taken from a job lot of such +cases: + + G. A. Graham, conductor, injured June 4, three-quarters of a mile + north of Bogle; caused by air hose on car bursting, causing Graham + to fall against stove in way-car. + + K. L. Grobbet, brakeman, injured one mile north of Brandon; caused + by the air hose bursting, throwing on emergency brakes. This man, + who was in front end of way-car, was thrown to the ground. + +Now let us see the result to persons by reason of improper loading of +cars: + + R. Puddles, switchman, injured at Grammaton, March 4, was hanging + on side of car loaded with lumber, engineman shut off suddenly, + and when car stopped the lumber slid and caught his hand between + lumber and stake on car. Lumber was loaded in two piles 16 ft. + lengths, leaving a space of about six or eight inches between the + piles. + + George Brownell, brakeman, injured July 17, one and one-half miles + south of Cranton. At Cranton train extra, picked up a car loaded + with logs; two stake pockets broke; logs fell under way-car, which + tipped over. + +And it is just as important to properly unload packages of newspapers +and mail from moving trains, and to exercise a little care in throwing +coal from engines, as it is to see that freight is securely loaded. +The number of accidents caused in this way since the running of the +fast mail and newspaper trains commenced would fill a book and could +all have been avoided by the exercise of that care which employees or +postal clerks would have exercised if they, instead of the company, +had to foot the bills caused by their carelessness. To me, it seems +not a difficult or unreasonable precaution to look, before you throw +out a heavy bag of mail or half a dozen packages of newspapers, to see +that no one will be hit by them, and that they could and should be +dropped just beyond the far end of the station platform, but never in +a street or public highway; and don't throw your clinker bars or ash +bars off engines, or anything else for that matter, without looking to +see if anyone is passing and when through with them put them in a safe +place so they won't project and strike anyone on the next track or +fall off and injure someone. If this had been done cases like the +following would not have happened: + + Henry Forbes, roadmaster, injured November 3, at Marionette, was + walking west on station platform, when mail sack was thrown from + train struck him on the legs and knocked him down. + + Paul Rhelips, injured at Dragitt, May 15, at 5:30 p.m.; caused by + his being struck with a block of hard wood which was tied to a + letter thrown from train by the baggageman, while passing through + the station at 45 miles per hour. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ENGINES + +During the last two years there has been an epidemic of accidents +caused by defective grate-shaking rigging and defective shoveling +sheets on engines, especially of the former. A few years ago they were +practically unknown. Now they come so often as to create no remark. +The following cases will demonstrate the necessity either of some +different apparatus for shaking grates of engines, of greater care in +using the apparatus, or of some better method of inspection and repair: + + A. G. Kenly, fireman, injured near Windermere; caused by the + shovel which he was using catching on the shoveling sheet of + engine No. 418. + + James Cooney, fireman, injured June 19, in Caster yard, was + shaking grates on engine No. 917, and connecting rod broke, + catching his hand between shaker rod and quadrant. + + H. D. Porter, fireman, injured near Mansfield, May 10; caused by + grate rod breaking as he was shaking the grates on engine No. 1280. + +Next we come to a class of accidents which is also on the increase and +which is of comparatively recent origin, and which, I believe, could +and should be absolutely prevented by the exercise of a little +mechanical ingenuity or which, even under present conditions of engine +construction, would be avoided by greater care on the part of the +engineman. And some day when an injector breaks or a blow-off cock is +opened as some mechanical superintendent is passing an engine, and his +legs are scalded, I will bet my next month's salary against an 1899 +bird nest that they will find a way to prevent such injuries, which +are as painful as they are unnecessary and expensive, either by +putting the blow-off cocks under or on top of the engines, instead of +having them project from the side. + + W. P. Willard, engineman, injured July 22, 4 miles west of + Janesville; injector on engine No. 4618 broke, and Willard was + scalded about face and head. + + Henry Jennings, conductor, injured October 1, at 5:55 p.m., north + of Rathburn; was walking by engine, engineman started the injector + and threw hot water on Jennings. + + Edward Sterns, night engine inspector, injured at Granby + roundhouse, January 12, at 8:45 p.m.; he told engine dispatcher to + open valve to see if sand was running properly; dispatcher opened + the blow-off cock instead of sand valve, and steam and hot water + scalded Sterns' right hand and leg. + +Every year a number of accidents occur to employees caused by defects +in engines and appliances furnished enginemen, nearly all of which +could and should be avoided if there was a more thorough inspection, +greater care taken in repairs and, what is just as necessary, more +care taken by enginemen in reporting defects; and when you report +defects, and repairs are not made, call the attention of your master +mechanic or division roundhouse foreman to the matter and I doubt not +that not only will the defects be repaired but greater pains will be +taken in the future to see that your engine is kept in good condition. + + William Curbin, stripper, injured at Elmwood shops on the 10th of + March, was taking boiler front off engine No. 3461; removed all + bolts except one, and while waiting for crane to be attached to + the door to lift it away, the door fell on Curbin's leg, who was + standing on the pilot beam of engine. Investigation showed that + the bolt which had not been removed, and which had been left to + hold door, was a "dummy." + + G. M. Cramer, fireman, injured, September 9, at Huntingdon, was + climbing up on cab of engine No. 784, to get coal chute down, when + brake released, and on account of leaky throttle, engine started + back, and caught his leg between cab of engine and chute. + + J. B. Olsen, fireman, overcome by heat on engine No. 941; caused + by absence of lagging on side of engine. + + M. H. Woodrow, engineman, and Douglas Evans, fireman, injured half + mile east of Peverly, June 19, caused by whistle valve on engine + No. 2605 becoming stuck, they being unable to fix it, and they + were almost deafened by the continuous whistling. Whistle had been + reported on the trip before by the engineman, but was not + repaired. + + Henry Winterson, a boiler washer, injured on May 15, at Kendrick, + was using a 4-ft. nozzle to wash out boiler of an engine, when the + collar of nozzle came off, and he was thrown against cab of + engine, injuring his back. + +The thought has often occurred to me that if the master mechanic or +some one other than the foreman, whose duty it is to inspect and +repair, would check up the work slips Form No. 141 and inspection +records to see that the repairs called for on them were made, we would +not have so many engine failures or accidents of this kind. + +Before leaving the subject of engines I want to say a few words about +accidents caused by the breaking of lubricator glasses and water +gauges; they grow more frequent every year and until somebody invents +something to take the place of glass--possibly the celluloid glass now +used on automobiles may be available--which will not burst, as you +value your eyesight, which becomes more necessary every day as the +number, speed of trains, and signals increase, carry the shields, +which the company has provided for your, not its, protection, over the +glass, not in your seat box as many enginemen do now, and then when +the glass breaks, and no one can tell when it will do so, there is +little danger of your vision being impaired or lost by your eyes being +struck by flying particles of glass. + + +DEFECTIVE SCAFFOLDS, DERRICKS, ETC. + +Accidents caused by use of defective derricks, scaffolds, and the +careless handling of derricks are comparatively new and are one of the +recent surprises in the business. I venture to say that the companies +have paid out during the last 18 months in the investigation and +settlement of accidents caused by defective scaffolds enough money, +not only to furnish the most approved scaffold now known, but to +nickel plate them as well. The following cases will show what is going +on in this way: + + R. B. Babcock, bridgeman, injured at Ferncliff, a mile and a half + north of Whiteston, Jan. 14, while standing near derrick mast, + which was being raised and put in position on abutment; the mast + suddenly slipped, and knocked this man off the abutment to + concrete foundation 34 feet below, breaking his leg in two places + and his arm, and bruising his hip. + + H. R. Roberts, bridgeman, killed near Red Creek, March 4, at 11 + a.m.; derrick car in rounding curve an attempt was made to swing + the boom of derrick to outside of curve, but it suddenly swung + over to the other side of car and tipped the derrick car over; + Roberts was standing on front end of car and jumped, falling back + onto the track, and the derrick tender, which did not leave the + track, ran over him. A 2×4 cleat, nailed on side of mast to hold + sling-lines in place came off, allowing ropes, which control + swinging of boom, to slacken so that movement of boom could not be + controlled. + + B. H. Jackson, seriously injured at Leicester, Dec. 30; caused by + the plank on which he was standing, used for scaffolding, slipping + out of the hooks, on account of its being covered with ice and + snow, and allowing him to fall 15 ft. to the ground. + +Within the last few years injuries caused by defective jacks and drop +cables, which, when I commenced to investigate accidents, were +unknown, have become very frequent. I mention the following to show +what they are. All of them would have been prevented by proper +inspection--not by inspections made to find things O.K., but by +inspections made to find defects; and if not made for that purpose +they had better be discontinued. + + L. M. Lumpkins, section foreman, injured Feb. 20, at Graves; he + was helping car repairer, and had jacked up a car in order to move + the trucks, but when ready to let the car down the jack would not + work, and all at once gave way, and Lumpkins was struck on the + head by the lever and knocked down, injuring him. + + R. J. Hopkins, laborer, injured June 22, at Osazi, was giving + signals to have train, loaded with ties, moved, when cable broke + and hit him in the face. + +In the same category, while perhaps not of the same class, come +accidents at coal chutes and water tanks, roundhouses, stations, and +other places. Had inspectors, repairmen and employees using the +appliances, done as they would have done if the loss occasioned by +neglect was to be theirs, none of the following accidents would have +happened: + + Will Flanigan, cinder pitman, injured May 21, at Cranby shops, was + raising cinder bucket with hoist; chain broke, and the bucket fell + on his foot. + + Frank Hogan, fireman, injured in Colby yard, March 16; had just + finished coaling engine and pushed up lever to shut off the coal, + when the pulley, over which cable works, dropped and struck him on + the head. + + W. R. Brady, fireman, injured at Quarton, June 1; was standing on + tank of engine to take water; rope was frozen and coiled up and he + could not reach it; got the ash hoe and caught the rope and pulled + the spout down; when it was part way down it fell and struck Brady + in the back. + + D. W. Dalmann, operator and leverman, injured Aug. 12, at Hampton; + was in interlocking plant throwing distant signal, when chain + connecting lever with counterbalance weight broke and he was + thrown to the floor. + + Stanley Lord, freight brakeman, injured at Rembrandt, May 20; was + unloading freight from a car; the skid which was being used was + broken off at one end, causing it to slip, and allowing Lord and + the boxes to fall to the ground, injuring Lord. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FLOORS, PLATFORMS, ETC. + +Another class of accidents which might also be avoided is that caused +by defective floors and platforms in roundhouses and at stations, the +failure to keep tools in repair, lack of light, and failure to +properly secure lights on switches. While, fortunately, they are not +so great in number, yet they go to swell the total, as well as the +expense, and ought to be cut out, as they could be with proper care +and supervision. + + L. N. Corbey, brakeman, injured at Calton, Nov. 28; went into coal + shed to get coal for caboose. In coming out he stepped on a broken + board in the floor of coal shed and sprained his left knee and + left hand. + + H. L. Minturn, injured at Acworth, Jan. 16, while running to throw + a switch, he ran into a three-throw switch upon which there was no + light. + + Jacob Paley, boiler-maker helper, injured July 11, at Hinsdale; + was striking punch knocking out rivet; the punch came off the + handle and struck him in the eye. + + A. D. Yarrow, injured April 3, at Alberon, while throwing switch + near roundhouse, the switch light fell and struck him on the head. + + Albert Kaufmann, machinist helper, injured July 6, at Hamburg; was + in roundhouse working near dynamo belt, which became unlaced and + loose end of belt came round and struck him on the left arm. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY OBSTRUCTIONS + +Next in order, I wish to call your attention to accidents caused by +overhead obstructions, drawbars, lumber, poles, cinders, and other +obstructions left too near the rail, holes and trenches left +uncovered, and failure to block guard-rails and frogs, etc. Everybody +is or should be familiar with Rules 45 and 49, which require blocking +of frogs and guard-rails and a clear space of six feet from the rail, +and yet one would sometimes think, from the appearance of some yards, +side tracks and switches, that the rules, like the midnight closing +ordinance, were dead letters. It, however, is the intention and desire +of the managements that they, like all other rules, should be +enforced, and no one is so much interested in that enforcement as the +train and yard men, who work in the yards and on side tracks and +switches. If they had been observed, or if their non-observance had +been reported by the men who must have known of their violation, none +of the following accidents would have occurred: + + P. B. Montgomery, brakeman, fatally injured at Mason, while + attempting to uncouple car G., P. & A. No. 593 from O., M. & C. + No. 1783; chain on pin being broken; blocking gone from + guard-rail. + + John Lenahan, switchman, killed at Juniper, June 4; footboard of + switch engine on which he was riding struck a telephone pole lying + in the grass alongside the track, throwing Lenahan under the + engine. + + P. D. Kendrick, brakeman, injured at Bentley, Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.; + was riding on the side of a box car, when he was struck by a spike + sticking in a board, which was part of the fence around the cellar + which was being excavated for the new depot at Bentley. It was + necessary to amputate two fingers of Kendrick's right hand, his + right leg, and he also received a very bad scalp wound. + + Peter Alton, brakeman, was climbing up the side of A., B. & C. car + No. 2843, at Hackley, when he was struck and knocked off the car + by a highway crossing sign at that place, and so badly injured + that it was necessary to amputate both his legs below the knee, + and his right shoulder blade was also broken. This crossing sign + cleared this car only 2 ft. + + K. G. Purdy, switchman, killed in Walton yards, Dec. 10; caused by + his being knocked off the top of a car by the Avery Street viaduct + and run over and killed. + +I want to call especial attention to the Alton, Montgomery, Purdy and +Kendrick cases. In the former the crossing sign had been in the same +place for over 20 years. The man who put it there, roadmasters, and +section foremen, who should have discovered its dangerous proximity to +the track and moved it to a safe distance, the one required by Rule +49, were grossly careless, and the injured man and other trainmen who +had passed it daily for years must have discovered that it was too +close to the track, and if they had reported it, as they should have +done, this accident would not have happened, and they were blamable +for not doing so. In the Montgomery case the section foreman was at +fault for not properly blocking the frog, as required by Rule 45, the +roadmaster for not seeing it was done, and the car inspector and +repairer for not discovering that the coupling apparatus was defective +and repairing it. In the Purdy case the management was at fault for +not seeing that warning whips were up for the viaduct--they are now; +and in the Kendrick case the man who hung up the lamp too close to the +track to warn people, instead of making it a protection, increased the +danger, and the division engineer who allowed it to be done was +inexcusably careless. Such cases not only swell the total number, but +account in a large measure for the total increase in personal injury +accounts of the railroads. + +Section foremen do not seem to realize the importance of examining the +whip guards for overhead obstructions every time they pass them to see +that they are in proper position and if not, pull them down with the +hook provided for that purpose. If the roadmasters would be more +particular to see that this is done we would have fewer accidents of +this kind in the future. + +And in removing hand cars in yards, place them far enough away from +the rails so that a man riding on the side of a freight car won't be +struck by them, as happened to + + A. T. Swanson, brakeman, injured at Tracy, Aug. 30; he was hanging + on the side of a car, and was struck by the handle of a hand car, + which had been left too near to clear a man on a car. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS OF ENGINEMEN + +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by carelessness +of enginemen which should not have happened and with proper care and +thoughtfulness will not occur in the future: + + George Bowman, engineman, killed at Holstein, on Sept. 9; caused + by engine running off the track, this being the end of the road, + and the first time Bowman or any of the crew on the train, other + than one brakeman, had been over the line. A section foreman, who + was sent along as pilot, claims to have told Bowman when he came + to the Y, north of the depot, but Bowman paid no attention to the + warning, and made no effort to stop. This engineman had been on + duty for 14 hours when he got to Creever, at about 12 o'clock + midnight, and asked for 8 hours' sleep, but was sent out again in + four hours and a half. + + Michael O'Neill, turntable man, injured Oct 17, at Patten; he was + pushing turntable with engine on it, and while doing so engine ran + off before he got it to the stall where it was to go in; struck + him on left shoulder. + + Ralph Burnham, rear brakeman, train No. 55, seriously injured at + Bradley, night of Dec. 21, by being caught between the tender of + engine No. 641 and the mail car. This man was standing on east + side of track and started to cross over to the west side to help + couple the air, steam hose and whistle. He knew the engine was + coming back, but owing to the amount of steam escaping from it did + not realize it was so close, and before he could get over was + caught. The steam was escaping from the steam hose at the back of + the tender. It is customary for some engineers to have this steam + blowing off as they are backing up to make couplings; others shut + off the steam, as when it is blowing off it is almost impossible + for the brakeman to see. Why should not all enginemen shut it off? + +In a double track district, if you are running on the wrong track and +there are any section men working on the track or employees or others +walking or running on the track, you should act upon the theory that +even if they know you are coming they will think you are on the track +usually occupied, and until you know that they actually understand the +conditions you must be prepared to stop in time to prevent injuring +them. And if two trains are passing on the double track and there is +anyone around, don't let it be your fault that an injury occurs +because ample warning was not given of the approach of two trains +instead of one. + + John Cooper, section laborer, struck and killed by engine No. + 1564, April 16, at 9:00 a.m., near Steuben, while working on the + track, cleaning the crossing, engine was running on south-bound + track. Although running on the wrong track, engineman is unable to + say whether or not he whistled for the crossing. No one on the + engine saw the man. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MOVING CARS ON OR UNDER WHICH MEN ARE WORKING + +Injuries caused by the moving of cars being iced or on or under which +men are working seem to me of a class so inexcusable as to merit the +discharge of the party at fault. Think how you would feel if you or +your boy was under, on, or in, a car with a flag out and someone moved +the car without notice and you or he was run over. The following are a +few such cases: + + Philip Elder, car cleaner, injured at Armstrong, July 5; caused by + train being moved by switch engine while he was on the ladder + filling the water cooler. + + Patrick Connelly, car repairer, injured Nov. 29, at Falesburg, was + under end of car on repair track; Switchman Moody backed train No. + 27 on No. 5 track, and cars did not clear coach No. 368; it struck + the car under which Connelly was working, moving it about 10 ft. + and dragging Connelly, who caught hold of brake-beam. Flag out as + required by Rule 1. + + A. F. Brown, car cleaner, injured at Perryville yards, May 3, at + 10:00 a.m., was working in smoker No. 762; engine No. 37 coupled + onto the car and pushed it down track and it collided with some + other cars, knocking this woman down. No switchman riding on the + car at the time of the accident. + +Injuries caused by carelessness in throwing switches and derails we +all know ought not to occur, and yet they are of frequent occurrence. +The following are samples. + + G. M. Claney, engineman; Alfred Dolan, fireman; injured about 10 + a.m., June 4, at Peronia; after going in on side track to get some + cars, got signal from brakeman to come ahead. Brakeman failed to + throw derailing switch, and while going to main line engine left + the track, went down embankment, and turned over. + + Richard Jones, brakeman, injured May 7, at Nelson. Foreman Brinson + told him to cut off two cars and ride them out onto main line, and + after he had started the foreman noticed an engine coming up the + main line, and threw switch for side track, the cars collided and + he was thrown down in car. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY KICKING CABOOSES + +Accidents caused by kicking caboose cars in which men are resting are +of altogether too frequent occurrence, and are as inexcusable as they +are frequent. Rule No. 10 should, I think, prohibit the practice, as +it does of moving cars containing passengers unless coupled to the +engine and air-brakes in use. Had this been done, the following cases +would not have happened: + + K. M. Simpson, brakeman, injured Dec. 12, at Albion, was in + way-car cleaning ashes out of stove, when the way-car was struck + by another car kicked onto it by switchman, throwing him against + end of car. + + Paul O'Connor and E. Putnam, brakemen, injured Feb. 22, at + Dodworths, were asleep in caboose No. 1473, on caboose track. + Switch engine went in and got caboose and kicked it out on lead. + It did not clear the switch track, and as other cars were kicked + back on caboose track it was struck by them throwing these men to + the floor. + +Indeed, I believe that if the practice of kicking freight cars in +yards and at stations was prohibited the saving in the cost of repairs +of equipment and for damage to contents of cars would be greater than +the increase in pay-roll caused by necessary increase in the number of +men in the crews. + +Speaking of accidents of this kind brings to mind those resulting from +careless handling of boarding cars, which are now so common during the +summer season. We all know the class of people who inhabit boarding +cars, how little they appreciate the danger, that they are on the +sides, top, under, and in the cars. So handle them, not as some +brakemen do egg cases, but carefully; never move the cars without +going to see that no one is under them cooking his dinner, that the +occupants of cars are all in a place of safety, and never make a fly +or kick with them, always have the engine coupled up, and don't +uncouple it until the car has got to the place it is to be left. +Roadmasters and foremen should see that the opening for ingress and +egress from the cars is on the side away from the traffic. The switch +to the track on which the cars stand should be locked and the key in +the foreman's pocket, or else a rail taken up so that no one can get +in on the track without notice. If you run across any cases where this +is not done, report them before, not after, some one is hurt. + + +MOTOR AND HAND CAR ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES TO SECTION MEN + +Before leaving the subject of injuries to employees caused by the +carelessness of other employees, I want to mention some motor and +hand car accidents and injuries to section men caused by the use of +defective cars, by fast running, overloading, and by failure to comply +with the rules. Why men on motor cars and hand cars coming in from +work want to run faster than is safe (they never do it on the way +out), why they should overload, use defective cars, run closer +together than 300 feet, be out after dark without a light, leave their +cars on the highways to obstruct the same and frighten horses, +contrary to Rules 46, 47, and 48, we may perhaps guess. And yet we can +see no good reason for failure to comply with the rules which are made +for their own protection, as well as that of the company, and if more +careful instructions were given them by the roadmasters and more +supervision exercised, many of the accidents mentioned below would not +have happened. And on account of the class of men now employed on the +track, such instruction and supervision is more necessary than ever, +as the records show that we have many more such cases in proportion to +the mileage and business than we did a few years ago. + + G. Botticelli, laborer, injured March 23, south of Yerkesville, + was riding on the front end of hand car, which was being followed + by another hand car; section foreman signaled to the rear car not + to come too close to first car, signal was not heeded and the + second car ran into the first, derailing it. + + H. P. Dennis, laborer, injured May 28, west of Orion; caused by + the handle of a hand car breaking. + + N. R. Forbes, injured near Larkin, June 24, with four other men, + was riding on a hand car going home from work. While going down + grade, trying to get to station before train pulled out, car + jumped track, all the men were thrown off, and Forbes injured. + +In passing over highway crossings, especially in cities and in running +past stations, hand and motor cars should be so run that the man in +charge could stop the car in its own length. + + +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THEIR OWN CARELESSNESS + +Lastly, I shall call your attention to a few of the accidents in which +employees are injured by their own carelessness, thoughtlessness or +recklessness, and frequently it is the latter. If we could eliminate +them and one-half of those caused by the carelessness of other +employees much of the unfavorable criticism of railroads would cease, +as the cause would no longer exist. + +We will take up some of the most common accidents of this class, +caused by coupling cars, getting on or off, or falling from, trains or +engines, moving or standing. The following cases will serve to +illustrate how frequently unnecessary chances are taken and the +result. + +Can anyone imagine a reason why a man of common sense who is old +enough to be out of school should stand on a footboard and when the +couplers are almost together put his hand in between them to pull them +over or try to kick them over with his foot, walk backwards, contrary +to Rule 51, between the rails fixing a Jenney to get ready to couple, +instead of stopping the car or engine and getting the coupler in +position; why they should stand in the middle of the track and wait +for an approaching engine or car to reach them and then step onto the +footboard or brake-beam, when they could just as well get on the side +or other end, and do it with safety; why men jump on an engine pilot, +which Rule 33 prohibits, or on a moving car to ride a few feet to a +switch, when the same is going so fast as to make it dangerous, unless +they want to show how expert they are; why they should get off moving +cars or engines under the same circumstances; why a man should not get +off a standing car or engine without getting hurt; undertake to climb +from car to car when unnecessary; cross the track in front of moving +cars or engines, when they are so close to them that to the +uninitiated it looks like suicide; or cross between cars, when they +could just as well climb over? But rather than take the time, which +the company pays for, they take the chances, and then if they get +across, like the man who drove over in front of the engine at the last +highway crossing and waited on the other side to see the train go by, +they wait until the tail end comes along and get on there, but if they +get caught blame the engineman for coming too fast, or the company for +not having the track nickel plated, or for having a handhold in the +wrong place. + +Why they should allow themselves to be struck frequently in broad +daylight by overhead obstructions, for which tell-tales are erected to +warn them; by building close to the track, with the location of which +they are familiar. Yet rather than work their gray matter a little, +they get hurt. Why a man sent out to look after broken rails or +defects in the track shouldn't watch for trains from both directions +or take the trouble to ascertain before starting whether trains are on +time. And yet we all know that just such chances are taken every day +with results shown in the following cases, which are such as happen +all the time; the only reason or excuse that can be given for them, +that I can imagine, is, that the men injured never should have been +employed; that instead of being employed on trains and engines and +drawing--not earning--more pay than principals of schools, and +frequently than school superintendents, they should be working in a +barn or shoveling dirt instead of on a railroad, where their +recklessness, carelessness, and failure to realize the dangers of the +business and the necessity of complying with the rules and taking no +unnecessary chances, not only endanger their own lives, but those of +others. They are of the same class that the railroad organizations, +for the protection of their desirable membership, ought to help get +out of the service, not try to keep in until someone is seriously +injured or killed, and then complain and say the company is liable +because they kept such a grossly careless, incompetent man in the +service; and if you will think for a minute, you will know that none +of the careful, forehanded men--the men who own homes and have a +little money in the bank--are in this class. + +I will first refer you to some cases caused in coupling cars, and by +getting on and off cars, of which the following are fair samples, each +of which not only could but should have been avoided by the exercise +of a little common sense by the injured person: + + G. L. Penston, collector, injured at Wanley, May 10; went in to + uncouple hose after getting train onto track; did not tell anyone + he was going in between the cars; other cars were switched onto + train and his head was caught between the cars. + + Henry Kendrick, switchman, injured at Mertonville, March 13; was + standing on front footboard of engine, which was about to couple + onto a car; draw-bar on engine was too far to one side to make the + coupling and Kendrick attempted to kick it over with his foot, but + missed it and his foot was caught and crushed. + + M. T. Bowers, fireman, Fairmill, Jan. 6, was trying to jump from + the running board of engine to footboard, when he fell and was + injured. + + L. B. Gorky, conductor, Panitoca, Aug. 14; was standing on top of + car, gave engineer a stop signal, and when slack came back, fell + off car. + + P. F. Newton, conductor, injured Oct. 3, at Durham; got off head + end of train, and tried to get on way-car as it came along, and + was thrown to the ground and badly injured. Train was moving about + 15 miles an hour. + +Then comes the class of injuries caused by crossing between or going +between moving cars or in front of moving cars or engines, and those +caused frequently in broad daylight by obstructions with the location +of which employees are perfectly familiar, but fail to take any care +to avoid, such as the following: + + H. M. Tupper, switchman, injured at Murferton, March 21, ran ahead + of moving car to throw switch; after throwing the switch he + attempted to cross the track again ahead of the car, was struck + and badly injured. + + David Spurton, switchman, Olivia, Dec. 12; while hanging on side + of car, was caught between car and viaduct, and severely injured. + + L. Q. Lafflin, switchman, Rutherville, Oct. 4; was sitting on top + of car riding backward his head struck viaduct, and he was knocked + off and injured. + +Among other classes, altogether too frequent, as well as unnecessary, +are those caused by leaving cars too near a switch to clear a man on a +car on the next track; by going under cars to repair them, or under +engines to clean the fires, without putting out a flag; by cutting +steam hose without first knowing the steam is turned off. + +Now why a man switching cars will not take the trouble to put them far +enough in on the track to clear himself riding the next cut in on the +adjacent track, or why a man will go under an engine or car to repair +it or for any other purpose, without protecting himself from injury by +putting out a flag as required by Rule I, passes my understanding. +Whenever you find the rule disregarded, report it, so that it will not +happen with the same man in the future; why a man should undertake to +cut the steam hose before he knows the steam has been turned off, the +devil himself could not tell, and yet the following cases would seem +to show that a man with a big stick is needed on the railroads as well +as elsewhere. + + William Jacobson, switchman, injured at Delavia, May 19; he left + caboose on side track too near the lead, and then rode some cars + down the lead, and was struck by the caboose. + + H. J. Calpine, car repairer, killed at Mestigo, June 3; was under + car making repairs; did not put out flag or tell anyone that he + was going under the car; the car was moved and he was killed. + + J. P. Alton, switchman, injured at Wolton, July 13; cut hose + between sleeper and coach and failed to turn steam shut-off cocks; + was badly burned by steam. + +And lastly I will refer to a few cases of injuries which cannot well +be classified, so we will say from other causes. They are a +miscellaneous lot, none of which ought to have happened, or indeed +would have happened if the first rule of nature, self-preservation, +had been observed. But I will give you several examples: + + A F. Ford, brakeman, injured at Lenopa, Sept. 3; hanging on side + of stock car instead of ladder, cow kicked him and broke his + wrist. + + B. L. Pomeroy, brakeman, fatally injured at Schuyler, Oct 29; in + attempting to oil a hot box while train was running, he fell under + the wheels. + + John Leveridge, fireman, injured at Worthington, May 8; passing + through town, waved hand at trainmen standing on side track, + struck mail crane, and injured his arm. + + Richard Manville, switchman, injured at Poulsville, June 17; stood + on top of car giving signals and when slack ran out fell off of + car; left leg broken. + + K. T. Morrison, brakeman, Homerton, April 26; went back along the + track, to flag his train, went to sleep on track, was struck and + killed by another train. + + + + +Prevention + + +SUGGESTIONS + +And so I might go on detailing the various accidents that have +occurred from the carelessness of employees, but I believe I have +enumerated enough of them to illustrate the point I wish to make; that +is, the employee is too careless, thoughtless and negligent; and I +hope also to demonstrate that the larger part of them could be avoided +and that a united effort should be made by all to prevent them in the +future. It does not require any argument to prove that the many +accidents occurring every day, and the resulting injuries and +destruction of property, ought to be reduced, and that, if the rules +were complied with and proper care and supervision exercised in +transacting the business of the companies, their number and consequent +money loss would be materially reduced; and it is up to the employees +to do their share to bring about this necessary result. Railroads that +advertise that they have the best of everything--including men--that +have spent not thousands but millions for safety devices and +appliances, as many of the lines have, ought to be able to make a +better record; and I believe when the employees really understand the +matter such roads will be where they belong--at the head of the +procession, not only so far as freedom from accident is concerned, but +in everything else. + +Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the Common Law of England, said +that the great beauty of the common law was that under it "there was +no wrong without a remedy," and so I say that there must be some +remedy which, if properly applied, would prevent the happening of a +large proportion of these casualties; and I suppose that the man who +says there is a wrong or criticises results ought to be able to +suggest some remedy which will sound plausible, even if it is not +practicable. + +In addition to the suggestions which I have made in discussing the +different classes of accidents herein mentioned, there are several +others which, in a general way, I submit. + +The most necessary thing in securing good results and as few +casualties as possible is to hire good, competent, careful and sober +men to do the work, and when the railroads have bureaus of employment +properly conducted to secure the best men and schools in which to +instruct them as to the rules under which railroads are operated, what +their duties are, and how to perform them, in conjunction with the +physical examination of applicants for employment they will have taken +the most important step to do away with accidents; and when they clear +their roundhouses, repair yards, coal stations, gate houses and all +other branches of the service connected with the transportation of +persons and property of men with whom neither other employees nor the +public can communicate because of their inability to understand or +talk the English language, they will have taken the next one. + +When labor organizations and employees generally do what they can to +keep incompetent, careless men out of the service, not in it, and when +they are discovered in some careless act, or cause some accident, and +are discharged or suspended, instead of trying, through the influence +and power of their organization, to have the discharge or suspension +set aside, do all they can to sustain the order of suspension or +discharge, we will not have the list of casualties staring us in the +face that we do now, and the organizations will not have so many +crippled members asking for assistance, and the proportion of +employees killed and injured to the whole number won't be 36 and 80 +per cent respectively. + +Employees should read the newspapers, railroad as well as brotherhood, +so that they will get some of the theory of the business to fit them +for a better place. Familiarize yourselves with the advertisements of +the company, train schedules, maps, names of the officers and where +they are located, so that you can answer questions of patrons and +others. Treat everybody politely and decently, as by your conduct and +manners the corporation and management will be judged. Take advantage +of what others have learned by the greatest of all teachers--EXPERIENCE. + +After getting good competent men we need good track and equipment and +sufficient and intelligent inspection to see that not only the track +and equipment are kept in good repair, but also that the men keep in +good physical and mental condition. + +A method of inspection and repair by which the man who inspects will +be required to have some mechanical experience, who can talk and +understand English and comprehend what the result will be if he fails +to discover defects and have them remedied, and who will report, not +to a foreman whose duty it is to repair the defect, but to a superior +whose business it is to find them. This is the sort of inspection +necessary to prevent injury and loss. And when we do this the record +will be different. + +Then we want good rules and instructions (the fewer and simpler the +better) telling how the trains shall be run and the business of the +companies conducted, and if it is true that one of the worst evils +from which our country is now suffering is the failure to enforce all +the laws on the statute books, I am afraid the same saying will apply +to the operation of railroads. Too many rules, orders and bulletins +are disregarded by employees, and that disregard not discovered or is +overlooked until some accident occurs. If there are any rules that are +impracticable they should be cancelled, but until they are their +observance by officers and employees should be insisted upon. The +quickest and best way to get a bad rule or law cancelled or repealed +is to enforce it. + +And last but not least, we want sufficient and efficient supervision. +Poor Richard, the philosopher, never said a truer thing than that +"_The eyes of the master will do more work than both his hands_." +And as the business of a railroad increases and grows more complicated +every day, it requires more and better, and not less, supervision. If +the number of employees and the tonnage of trains increase fivefold, +so should the supervision increase, in order that the business be +conducted in accordance with the rules and that safe and economical +operation be secured, and there should always be enough supervision to +obtain this necessary result. + +After we get the men, the track, the equipment, rules and supervision, +we should see that all employees know and understand the rules and +their duties and how to perform them. Some day we will have a training +school for this purpose, just as the government has for its soldiers +and sailors, and many municipalities for their police. Employees +should study and familiarize themselves with the time-tables and +rules, the same as they do with their pay schedule--they all +understand that. The rules were made by men who have come from the +ranks, who know from actual experience what the failure to observe +them means to passengers, to yourselves, and the companies, and if you +don't understand them, have someone who does explain them to you until +you know them by heart and exactly what they mean, and when you have +done this, comply with them and things will go better; there will then +be few accidents, suspensions and discharges. + +Do the company's business the same as you would your own. If the time +ever comes when you are unwilling to do this, quit. Think before you +act, not afterwards, as then it will be too late. And remember that +other lives, perhaps that some one near and dear to you, may depend +upon your acting and doing immediately, and not to-morrow, the right +thing and in the prescribed way. + +Make it your first duty to protect the lives and property entrusted to +your company, as well as the lives of those crossing over its tracks +and those of your fellow employees, then will come to you not only the +knowledge of duty performed, but promotion in position and increase in +salary. That is why your president, general manager, and the whole +push are where they are now, instead of working in the ranks. + +Never go out without sufficient rest. Don't try to get in too many +miles or hours for the pay there is in it, as you may get hurt or +killed doing so, or injure some one else. + +When an order is given you in writing, or verbally, if you don't +understand it, ascertain exactly what it means before you undertake to +execute it, and if you understand what is wanted, but don't know how +to do the thing, find out from someone who does before, not after, you +have made a mistake, as it will take you less time to learn to do it +right than it will to explain why you did it wrong, and by so doing +you may prevent yourself or someone else getting hurt. + +With additional care on your part and that of your fellow workers, +together with more and better supervision, based on the theory that it +is equally as important to see that rules and orders are observed as +it is to issue them, that MEN are more important in the running of a +railroad than _things_, accidents and consequent losses will, I +believe, be reduced one-half. + + + + +APPENDIX + + +The following operating rules are referred to in the foregoing: + +In case of doubt, adopt the safe course. + +Speed must always be sacrificed for safety. + + 1. A _blue_ flag by day and a _blue_ light by night, displayed at + one or both ends of an engine, car, or train, indicates that + workmen are under or about it. When thus protected it must not be + coupled to or moved. Workmen will display the _blue_ signals, and + the same workmen are alone authorized to remove them. Other cars + must not be placed on the same track, so as to intercept the view + of the _blue_ signals, without first notifying the workmen. + Train, engine or switchmen going between or under cars or engines + to make repairs, chain up or examination must protect themselves + in the same way by use of red flag or red light. + + 2. The engine bell must be rung on approaching the whistling post + at every public road crossing at grade, and kept ringing until + the crossing is passed; and the whistle must be sounded at all + whistling posts, two long and two short blasts. + + 3. The engine bell must be rung upon approaching and passing + through stations, cities, towns, and villages. + + 4. It must be understood that a train is due to arrive at a + station upon its schedule departing time at preceding station. + + A train must not leave a station in advance of its schedule + leaving time. + + 5. Passenger trains will not exceed twenty-five miles, and + freight trains fifteen miles per hour, passing over interlocking + switches. + + 6. All regular freight trains, extras, and work extras will pass + into and through all stations and will approach all isolated side + tracks, and also all water tanks and coal sheds with train under + full control, expecting to find trains at such points. Speed must + be reduced; enginemen and trainmen must commence to get their + train under control one mile from all such specified points, so + that under no circumstances whatever shall it be possible for + them to strike any train, car, or engine that may be within the + switches of any regular station, or that may be taking coal or + water at any coal shed or water tank. Trains occupying main track + at stations, as an additional precaution, must protect themselves + as per Rule No. 7. + + + PROTECTION OF TRAINS BY FLAGMEN. + + 7. _For this purpose flagmen shall have for_ DAY SIGNALS _not + less than two torpedoes and a red flag._ + + _For_ NIGHT SIGNALS _not less than two torpedoes, two red fusees, + and red and white lanterns._ + + CONDUCTORS _shall see that flagmen have these signals when they + go on duty._ + + + UNSCHEDULED STOPS. + +_When any train makes an_ UNSCHEDULED STOP _(whether at a station or +between stations, or whether such stop be caused by accident to the +train, or by signal, or in any other way), the train shall be +protected as follows_: + + _a._ _In the_ NIGHT-TIME _the flagmen shall immediately place a + lighted_ RED FUSEE _in center of track about five hundred feet + behind the rear of train._ + + _He shall then go back as rapidly as possible with_ RED _and_ + WHITE LANTERNS _to a point less than three-fourths of a mile + (twenty-four telegraph poles) distant from rear of train and until + he reaches a point where the danger signal can be seen not less + than one-fourth of a mile (eight telegraph poles) by the engineman + of any approaching train. When the character of the road or + weather makes it necessary the flagman shall go a greater distance + with signals, so as to_ INSURE ABSOLUTE SAFETY. + + _b._ _In the_ DAYTIME _he shall carry a red flag and proceed to a + like point._ + + _c._ _When he reaches such point, whether in the night-time or + daytime, he shall at once place_ ONE TORPEDO _on the rail on the + engineman's side and shall remain at that place until recalled. If + a train approaches he shall flag it and remain until the train + stops._ + + _d._ _When recalled, if no train is approaching, he shall place a_ + SECOND TORPEDO _on the rail 200 feet nearer his train and return + with all possible dispatch._ + + + SCHEDULED STOPS LONGER THAN USUAL. + + _e._ _When any train makes a_ SCHEDULED STOP _at any station and + occupies the main track_ LONGER THAN USUAL AT THAT STATION, + _whether on account of baggage, passengers, or for any other + reason whatever_, THE FLAGMAN MUST PROTECT HIS TRAIN IN THE SAME + MANNER. + + + STOPPAGE BY PRECEDING TRAINS. + + _f._ _When any train has been stopped by a preceding train in the + manner above mentioned, the flagman of the last train must protect + his train in the same manner._ + + + PROTECTION OF FRONT END. + + _g._ _When it is necessary to protect the front of a train, it + shall be done in the same manner._ + + + BOTH CONDUCTOR AND FLAGMAN RESPONSIBLE. + + _h._ _In all cases above mentioned it shall be the_ FIRST AND + IMMEDIATE DUTY OF CONDUCTORS _to see that flagmen_ OBEY THIS RULE. + + _i._ _Both_ CONDUCTOR _and_ FLAGMAN _will be held responsible._ + + _j._ _When a flagman goes out, the next brakeman or baggageman + must take his place on the train, as required by paragraph s._ + + _k._ _The engineman on approaching train, on_ SEEING FLAGMAN'S + SIGNAL, _shall immediately indicate it by one short blast of the + whistle, and immediately reduce the speed of his train and find + out the purpose of the signal, and if he does not hear the second + torpedo he will bring his train to a stop._ + + _l._ _If the engineman on approaching train sees no signal (the + flagman having been recalled), but_ HEARS THE FIRST TORPEDO; _he + shall reduce the speed of his train and thereafter proceed + cautiously, and prepared to stop within vision, until the track is + clear._ + + _m._ _On_ HEARING THE SECOND TORPEDO, _the engineman will know + that the flagman has been recalled and will_ PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY, + _keeping a sharp lookout for train ahead and prepared to stop + within vision, until he is notified by signal or otherwise that + the track is clear._ + + _n._ _If a_ FUSEE _is seen, the engineman shall_ NOT PASS _it + until it is burned out, and thereafter shall_ PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY + _and prepared to stop within vision, until notified by signal or + otherwise that the track is clear._ + + + RECALL OF FLAGMAN. + + _o._ _When the whistle is sounded recalling the flagman if there + is not a clear view to the rear for one-fourth of a mile (8 + telegraph poles) the train should be_ MOVED AHEAD _at a speed of + not less than_ SIX MILES _per hour, until a point is reached where + the track is straight for one-fourth of a mile in the rear of the + train_, ALWAYS BEARING IN MIND THAT THE TIME OF THE FLAGMAN'S + RETURN IS THE PERIOD OF GREATEST RISK. + + _p._ _Should a train for any cause be required to gradually reduce + its speed between stations or at unusual points the engineman will + sound one long and three short blasts of the whistle, as notice to + the conductor to drop off a flagman with the proper signals to + protect rear of train._ + + _q._ _In addition to the above protection a red fusee will be + considered an extra precaution, and will be used under + circumstances requiring the same. Should a train, for any cause, + be required to reduce its speed between stations or at unusual + points a red fusee must be lighted and placed upon the track as an + additional protection for following trains, to insure a time limit + between trains of not less than five minutes._ + + _r._ _If a train be obliged to back up, a flagman must be sent + back in advance of the rear end of the train, and kept far enough + in advance to insure absolute safety against a collision with any + train that may be approaching._ + + _s._ _When the flagman goes back to protect the rear of his train, + the head brakeman or baggageman must, in the case of passenger + trains, and the next brakeman in the case of other trains, take + his place on the train._ + + 8. When cars are pushed by an engine (except when shifting and + making up trains in yards), a flagman must occupy a conspicuous + position on the front of the leading car and signal the engineman + in case of need. + + If such signal cannot be seen by the engineman or fireman, the + engineman will bring the train to a stop immediately, and not + proceed till signal is visible. + + 9. When switching is being done over highway or street railway + crossings by yard or trainmen, a man must be stationed at that + crossing to act as flagman. + + 10. Cars must not be moved over highway crossings or in front of + passenger stations detached from engine, other than at terminals, + where express authority has been given so to do by the division + superintendent. Cars containing passengers must not be switched + unless coupled to the engine and air-brake in use. + + 11. In approaching a station where a passenger train is due or + past due, and where the view is not clear, trains must be under + perfect control, so that they may be stopped, if necessary, before + reaching station. Trains on the double track must not, under any + circumstances, pull into a station at which a passenger train in + the opposite direction is standing or into which it is pulling to + receive or discharge passengers, until such train has started up + and the rear coach thereof has passed the end of the station + platform nearest the approaching train, excepting where tracks are + divided by fences. When two trains are nearing a station from + opposite directions at the same time and only one of them is + scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed to + let the other through the station before it arrives. When two + trains going in opposite directions arrive at a station and both + are scheduled to stop, the inferior train will not pull up to + platform until superior train has departed. At stations on single + track, all trains will reduce to a speed of four miles per hour in + passing a point where a passenger train is receiving or + discharging passengers, and pass such trains with the engine bell + ringing constantly. + + 12. Passengers will not be allowed to ride on freight, extra, or + work extra, except upon such regular freight trains as may be + designated in the division time-tables. Freight trains that carry + passengers will be particular to have the caboose stop at the + depot platform to receive and discharge them. Before the arrival + of train at any station where they stop, the conductor will + distinctly call out the name of station. This rule applies to + employees of the company not actually on duty, as well as to other + persons. It is, however, understood that persons accompanying live + stock or perishable freight shall be allowed to ride on the same + trains therewith, for the purpose of taking care of the same, upon + the presentation of proper transportation. + + 12a. Conductors must show their orders to rear brakeman or + flagman, and the engineman to the fireman, and (in case of a + freight train) to the head brakeman, who are required to read + them. The copy for the engineman must be delivered to him + personally by the conductor and the engineman must read it aloud + to the conductor before proceeding. + + 13. Dispatchers must not authorize operators to issue caution card + to any train or engine to enter a block occupied by a passenger + train, except in case of accident. + + If from the failure of telegraph line or other cause a signalman + be unable to communicate with the next block station in advance, + he must stop every train approaching in that direction. Should no + cause for detaining the train be known, it may then be permitted + to proceed, provided ten minutes have elapsed since the passage of + the last preceding train, using caution card. + + 14. Trains moving on caution card must do so with great care. As + block is not clear enginemen must be prepared to stop within their + vision. + + 15. Trains moving on caution card must expect to find main track + occupied at all stations regardless of the position of block + signal. + + 16. Agents are required to see that cars are properly loaded, to + obtain, if possible, the maximum capacity, and not permit an + overload to exceed 10 per cent of marked capacity. It is important + that the load be distributed evenly, securely staked, and that no + projections extend over the ends of cars. + + 17. Freight, baggage, and other articles must not be allowed to + stand on the depot platforms where they might cause accident or + inconvenience to passengers or employees, or receive damage from + the weather. United States mail pouches must not be left + unprotected upon the platforms or in the waiting-rooms and other + exposed places at stations. + + 18. Agents will see that conductors of freight trains do not block + public crossings longer than five minutes. + + 19. On leaving a station passenger brakeman will pass through the + train, from the front to the rear, and when about one-third the + length of the car from forward end, with closed doors, will + announce in a clear and distinct voice the name of the next + station, then proceed to within the same distance from the rear + end of the car and make the same announcement. If the train is to + stop for meals the brakeman will so state, giving the length of + time the train will stop. Conductors of all trains stopping at + stations at which lunch counters or eating-houses are located will + announce in the lunch or dining room notice of departure of the + train in ample time to allow passengers to get aboard before it + starts. Upon approaching a station located at or in the vicinity + of a railroad crossing, when it is necessary for a train to stop + at such crossing, before reaching the crossing brakemen must give + warning of the fact by calling out distinctly in each car, "The + next stop is for railway crossing, not a station." Junction + points, railroad crossings where a stop is made, and terminals + will be announced, passengers notified when to change cars, and + attention directed to their parcels and other belongings. + + 20. Passenger train employees will pay particular attention to the + comfort of their passengers and will see that proper lighting, + ventilation, and temperature are maintained and sufficient + drinking water is provided. They will not allow passengers to + violate any rules of the company (such as riding on the platforms, + etc.), and, while avoiding unnecessary conversation with + passengers, will answer all questions courteously. + + They will see that passengers are properly seated. They will pass + through sleeping cars only when necessary and then as quickly as + possible, exercising special care at night to avoid disturbing the + occupants. + + 21. Conductors must collect the proper fare from every passenger + not provided with a ticket or pass in proper form. In all cases, + on the refusal of any passenger to produce a proper ticket or + pass, or to pay the fare, the conductor shall cause the train to + be brought to a full stop at a regular open station and shall + require such person to leave the train, and, on refusal, shall + remove him therefrom, and must procure and report the names and + addresses of persons who were present and witnessed the + controversy. Each conductor will be held responsible for the + exercise of a reasonable discretion in the performance of this + duty, being careful that no unnecessary force is used, that the + company may not be subjected to unnecessary litigation or + annoyance. They must not eject women or children of tender years, + and any person unattended in such a condition of body or mind as + to be incapable of caring for himself must be placed in the + custody of the nearest station agent, who will wire the + Superintendent for instructions regarding such person's final + disposition. In removing a person from the train, the conductor + must use extreme care to avoid controversy and not indulge in + abusive language or in any manner insult or maltreat the person to + be removed, or use unnecessary force in so doing, unless in a + clear case of self-defense, when an assault is made upon the + conductor or his men, and then the infliction of unnecessary + injury must be carefully avoided. A sufficient force must be + brought into requisition to overcome resistance and to place the + person on the ground without inflicting injury, the law being that + conductors may command employees or any of the passengers to + assist in such removal. In all cases except where passengers shall + be ejected for refusal to produce proper ticket or pass, or to pay + the proper fare, the conductor, before so doing, must tender such + passenger such proportion of the fare he has paid as the distance + he then is from the place to which he has paid his fare bears to + the whole distance for which he has paid his fare. In case of such + ejectment a report must be sent to the Superintendent by first + mail with full particulars. + + 22. Passenger trainmen will be required to securely close + vestibule doors and platform traps of all passenger cars when in + motion; and after departure from a station will observe whether or + not there are any passengers clinging to the hand-rails of the + vestibules. + + 23. Passenger brakemen will place themselves at the steps of + coaches at stations, and will assist passengers in entering or + leaving the cars. Special care must be taken with children and + aged and infirm passengers, assisting them to and from trains, + giving them ample time to insure safety. They will prevent + passengers boarding or leaving the train while in motion, see that + passengers are provided with proper tickets, and that they take + the right train. + + 24. When a passenger train has stopped at a station platform, it + must not move to take coal or water or do other work until the + conductor permits by the usual signal. + + 25. Freight conductors and brakemen must be on hand not less than + thirty minutes before the leaving time of their trains. They shall + examine their trains while stopping at stations on the road and + see that everything is in proper order. + + 26. Freight train employees are required to examine very carefully + the condition of all brakes and ladders that they are to use, and + to know that they are safe and in good condition before using + them. If brakes are unsafe, or ladders out of order, brakemen will + report them to the conductor at once. + + 27. Conductors leaving cars on side tracks will see that they are + properly secured and sufficiently clear of the main line. In + leaving loaded cars at any station they will place them most + conveniently for unloading. The cars must be so placed as not to + project over line of highway crossings. If a car be set out + without a brake, conductors must securely block the wheels. + Cutting off engine and cars before a train has stopped and + allowing the balance of train to follow is prohibited. + + 28. Conductors must call the attention of the repairer of cars, or + that of the station agent in his absence, to any damage which may + have been done to the cars, or to any which may come to their + knowledge, that they may be promptly repaired, and they must note + these in their reports. Cars in bad order, set out at stations, + will be reported at once by the conductor, by telegraph, to the + train dispatcher, stating number and initials of car, contents, + nature and extent of damage, and will note the nature of defect on + waybills. + + 29. Enginemen must use every precaution to prevent damage by fire + from their engines. They should report all defects in netting, ash + pans, etc., at the end of their run. Ash pans or front ends must + only be cleaned at designated points. + + 30. No person will be allowed to ride upon the pilot of a + locomotive, either in the discharge of duty or otherwise, and they + are prohibited from getting on the front end of engines or cars + approaching them. + + 31. Turntables must be locked with a switch-lock by enginemen and + others immediately after use, except when in charge of employees. + When turntables are found unlocked, and when tables or locks are + out of order, report at once to the Superintendent by wire. + + 32. Engines must not be permitted to stand nearer than 100 feet to + a street or highway crossing, or under any bridge, when it can be + avoided, nor in the vicinity of waiting-rooms, offices, or near + cars occupied by passengers, where the noise or smoke will disturb + occupants. + + 33. Agents are instructed to make a personal inspection of all + special loadings and where same do not comply with these + requirements and illustrations and where there is any question in + their minds as regards the safety or proper loading of the same + they should at once communicate with the Superintendent of Car + Department, who will send a man, competent to judge, for the + purpose of inspection and passing on same before car is forwarded. + + (a). Yardmen, conductors, and trainmen must familiarize themselves + with these instructions and will not take cars into their trains + unless they come within the requirements of these rules and + illustrations. Where defects occur in loading of cars in transit, + unless they can remedy the same, they will set the car out and + notify the train dispatcher. + + 34. Whenever passengers or employees are injured, see that + everything is done to care for them properly, calling the + company's nearest surgeon to treat them, or, if prudent, remove to + the nearest place at which the company has a surgeon, and leave + them with such surgeon for care and treatment. + + If the injury be serious call the nearest competent surgeon + obtainable to attend until the company's surgeon arrives. + + 35. Whenever an accident happens to any train on which passengers + are carried, whether collision or derailment, of whatever nature, + on main line or siding, or within the yard limits where trains are + reconstructed, conductors must take down the name and address of + every passenger on the train, and ascertain from the passenger, + and note opposite his or her name, what injury, if any, they + received. In such cases, conductors, after first making everything + safe, must give their undivided attention to the care and comfort + of their passengers, especially to those who are injured. Bedding + and linen may be taken from the sleepers for this purpose, the + conductor keeping a careful account of all material so taken, and + its return or safe keeping attended to; and when deemed necessary, + injured persons may be put in the sleepers. When a number of + persons are injured the service of competent surgeons in the + vicinity should be at once secured, and every possible effort made + to care for the injured, the company's surgeon in each direction + being notified by wire to come immediately to the place of the + accident. + + 36. When persons (other than employees) by reason of climbing on + or jumping from moving trains, or walking or lying on the track, + are injured, they should be sent to their homes or placed in + charge of the local city, village, or township authorities and no + expense incurred on the part of the company in the matter. + + 37. A report of all accidents must be telegraphed immediately to + the Superintendent or his assistant by the conductor, engineman, + agent, yardmaster, foreman, or person in charge, by wire, giving + the names of the injured persons and witnesses, the extent of + injuries, and the names of the owners of the property damaged and + the extent of damage, and as soon as possible a full and detailed + report made and forwarded to the Superintendent or his assistant, + a separate report being made for each person injured. If the + person injured is an employee he should also make and sign a + statement of facts in relation to the accident in his own + handwriting on the same form; should he be unable to write, the + statement should be written at his dictation, and after being read + over to him he should sign it by making his mark, the person + writing and reading statement signing same as a witness. + + 38. Whenever an employee, whether on duty or not, witnesses an + accident in which a person is injured or property damaged, in + which the company is in any way concerned, he must report it + immediately. Every effort must be made to procure the names and + addresses of all persons, particularly outsiders, who witnessed + the accident, especially when persons are injured within the + corporate limits of any city, town, or village, or when crossing + the tracks at a public highway. + + 39. When an accident occurs on an engine, or is caused by an + engine striking any person or conveyance, or when cars are being + coupled or uncoupled, a full report must be made by the engineman, + as well as by the conductor or the person in charge of the train. + + 40. When persons are injured while coupling or uncoupling cars or + in getting on or off cars, whether passenger or freight, or in any + other way, in which the accident may have been caused by defective + appliances or machinery, the cars or appliances must be + immediately examined by the person in charge, or by the agent, to + ascertain their condition, and report made of the inspection, + giving the numbers and initials of cars examined and the names of + the persons making the inspection. The Superintendent or his + assistant will then notify the inspector at the first division + terminal, who will also examine the machinery, cars, or appliances + and make report. When an accident is caused by defective machinery + or by the breaking of machinery, tools, appliances, or rails, the + broken or defective parts must be so marked as to be readily + identified and immediately turned over to the Superintendent or + his assistant. + + 41. When an accident occurs which results in the death of any + person, the remains of the deceased must be immediately picked up + and carefully conveyed to the nearest station building, care being + taken not to remove the body outside the limits of county and + state in which the accident happened. The agent at such station + will then notify the Superintendent by wire, as well as the family + or friends of the deceased. + + 42. Apply the brakes lightly at a sufficient distance from the + stopping point, and increase the braking force gradually as may be + found necessary, so as to make the stop with one application, or + at the most two applications of the brakes. + + 43. In making a service stop with a passenger train, always + release the brakes a short distance before coming to a dead stop, + except on heavy grades, to prevent shocks at the instant of + stopping. Even on moderate grades it is best to do this, and then, + after release, to apply the brakes lightly to prevent the train + starting. This does not apply to freight trains, upon which the + brakes must not be released until the train has stopped. + + 44. A train must, at all times, have not less than 50 per cent of + its cars equipped with air-brakes, which must be operated. + + 45. They must see that all switches are in perfect order and that + frogs, guard-rails, and switch-rails are properly blocked and + spaces in planked crossings kept clean. + + 46. They must permit their hand cars to be used only in the + service of the company, and no one will be allowed to ride on + these cars except employees in the performance of duty, unless + provided with a written order from the proper authority. When two + or more hand cars are following each other they will keep at least + 300 feet apart. Hand or velocipede cars belonging to private + parties will not be allowed on the track except by order of the + Superintendent. + + 47. When obliged to run hand and velocipede cars after dark, two + red lanterns must be so displayed on the car as to be visible to + trains in both directions. + + 48. Hand, dump cars, and velocipedes must not be attached to + moving trains, nor shall they be used upon the main track in foggy + weather, unless properly protected, and they must not be taken + from the track at public or private crossings, except to avoid an + approaching train. + + 49. No wood, ties, or property of any description must be piled + within six feet of the main or side track, or elsewhere, in such + manner as to obstruct the view of, or from, approaching trains. + Old ties, fencing, and similar property, also links, pins, + draw-bars, spikes, and all other material and iron work that is + found on the section must be picked up at once, piled neatly, or + disposed of as directed by the roadmaster. Rails and other + material must _not_ be left scattered about station grounds. + + 50. While at station conductors will do such switching as may be + required by the station agent. Trainmen and switchmen must not + couple to or move cars that are being loaded or unloaded on side + tracks without first ascertaining whether anyone is in or about + such cars and giving them ample notice that same are to be moved. + They must not obstruct street or public crossings with their + trains and be particular when at junction points not to allow any + part of their train to stand on railway crossings or interlocking + plants. + + 51. All employees are prohibited from going between cars or + between car and engine for any purpose or in front of any moving + car to fix couplers while same are in motion. + + 52. Enginemen must keep the headlights of their engines in good + order, and when running after dark, or when storms, fogs or other + causes render it necessary, they must be lighted. When trains are + waiting on side tracks, clear of main track, or on the end of + double track, headlights of engines must be covered. + + 53. When trains meet by special order or time-table regulations, + conductors and enginemen must inform each other by word of mouth + what trains they are. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Railroad Accidents, by R. C. Richards + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAILROAD ACCIDENTS *** + +***** This file should be named 38731-8.txt or 38731-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/7/3/38731/ + +Produced by Odessa Paige Turner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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C. +Richards—A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> +<style type="text/css"> + + body {margin-left: 12%; + margin-right: 12%;} + + p {text-indent: 0em; + text-align: justify; + margin-top: .85em; + margin-bottom: .85em; + line-height: 1.25em;} + + .indent {text-indent: .75em;} + + .ctr {text-align: center; + margin-top: 1.3em;} + + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .foot {margin-left: 8%; + margin-right: 4%; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 1.5em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 0em; + font-size: 96%;} + + .section {margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + text-align: center; + font-size: 115%; + font-weight: bold;} + + .firstchapter {margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + text-align: center; + font-size: 130%; + font-weight: bold;} + + .chapter {margin-top: 3em; + text-align: center; + font-size: 130%; + font-weight: bold;} + + .head {margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: 1.3em; + text-align: center; + font-size: 105%; + font-weight: bold;} + + .blockquote {text-align: justify; + margin-left: 7%; + margin-right: 7%; + font-size: 97%; + margin-top: 1.6em; + margin-bottom: 1.6em;} + + h1 {text-align: center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + line-height: 1.3em; + letter-spacing: 4px;} + + h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {text-align: center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + line-height: 1.3em;} + + hr.med {width: 65%; + height: 1px; + margin-top: 2.5em; + margin-bottom: 2.5em;} + + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none;} + a:visited {color:#6633cc; + text-decoration:none;} + + ul {list-style-type: none;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Railroad Accidents, by R. C. Richards + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Railroad Accidents + Their Cause and Prevention + +Author: R. C. Richards + +Release Date: February 1, 2012 [EBook #38731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAILROAD ACCIDENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Odessa Paige Turner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1> +RAILROAD ACCIDENTS +</h1> + + +<h1> +<small>THEIR CAUSE AND PREVENTION</small> +</h1> + +<br> +<h3> +BY +</h3> + +<h2> +R. C. RICHARDS +</h2> + +<br> +<h4> +Published by<br> +THE ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY CLAIM AGENTS<br> +1906 +</h4> + +<h4> +COPYRIGHT, 1906<br> +BY R. C. RICHARDS +</h4> +<br> +<h4> +GIFT OF<br> +O. A. MOORE +</h4> + + +<hr class="med"> + + +<p class="firstchapter"> +Introduction +</p> + +<p class="section"> +Railroad Accidents +</p> + +<p class="head"> +Their Cause and Prevention +</p> + + +<p> +Much has been said and written during recent years about the +increasing number of railroad accidents in this country—their cause +and what action should be taken by the government, the railroads and +the employees to reduce them and the consequent loss of life and limb +resulting therefrom. Believing that if the cause of our many accidents +were properly understood more care would be taken by the corporations, +employees and persons at fault to reduce the number, I shall try to +point out in the following pages what investigation has shown me to be +the cause of many accidents and how their reoccurrence could, I think, +be prevented. +</p> + +<p> +In the transaction of the business of a railroad its first and highest +duty is to the passengers, to carry them safely and speedily; next, to +take care of the property entrusted to it for transportation, and for +which it is practically an insurer against everything but the act of +God or the public enemy, and deliver it with reasonable dispatch to +the consignee in practically the same condition as that in which it is +received. +</p> + +<p> +It is a self-evident proposition that the nearer the railroads come to +performing this duty, the fewer losses and claims for damages they +will have to pay, and, as a matter of course, the more money there +will be left with which to pay wages, interest, dividends, and make +improvements. So it behooves all, who are working for those wages, to +do everything they can to help carry on the business properly and +correctly in order that the interest of the companies hiring them, as +well as their individual interest, will be subserved, and for the more +important reason of causing as little suffering, pain, and sorrow to +those who by accident may be maimed or killed, which always brings +trouble and sorrow to the victim as well as to his family, and +frequently results in untold suffering and privation to the widows and +children. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that for the +year ending June 30, 1904, there were +</p> + +<ul> +<li> 441 passengers killed.</li> +<li> 3,632 employees killed.</li> +<li> 839 not trespassers killed.</li> +<li> 5,105 trespassers killed.</li> +<li> 9,111 passengers injured.</li> +<li>67,067 employees injured.</li> +<li> 2,499 not trespassers injured.</li> +<li> 5,194 trespassers injured.</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Making 10,017 killed and 83,871 injured, or a total of killed and +injured of 93,888, many times over the casualties of our last war, and +all the roads seem to have done their share of this havoc. +</p> + +<p> +We should strive to see if in the coming year we cannot reduce the +number, so that the casualties reported, and consequent loss to the +companies, will be reduced, considering the number of employees, +mileage, earnings, number of trains run, persons and property +transported, and the territory traversed, and for the purpose of +bringing this matter before you in a proper light I will call +attention to a few of the many accidents which have recently occurred, +which, with proper care and the use of good judgment, would have been +avoided and fewer persons left to go through life crippled, fewer +homes made desolate and fatherless, and sometimes motherless, and at +the same time the money which has been necessarily paid out to settle +the claims saved to the companies, and, consequently, just so much +more money left in the treasury to pay for wages, interest, dividends, +and betterments. +</p> + +<p> +Taking into consideration the safety appliances installed by the +railroads since 1898, the improvement in track and equipment, and the +increase in wages paid, with even the same degree of care on the part +of employees, the number of accidents should have decreased, but on +the contrary they show an actual percentage of increase higher than +that of earnings, and if the employees are onto their jobs they ought +to and must find a way to reduce the number of such cases and +consequent expense to the companies. +</p> + +<p> +For the purpose of showing that the employees are the persons most +vitally interested in this matter, as upon them falls the major part +of the fatalities and injuries resulting from such accidents and upon +themselves and families the suffering and pain which always comes +after them, while upon the companies falls the immense and increasing +financial drain, following their wakes, as well as loss of prestige +and public criticism which necessarily follow, and which is increasing +every day, I have prepared the following statement. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +1. The percentage of employees to the number of passengers transported +during the year ending June 30, 1904, was one for each 552. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +2. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the whole number of +persons reported killed in all classes (10,017) was 4 per cent. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +3. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the whole number of +persons reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 11 per cent. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +4. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the number +transported (715,419,682) was about one in each 80,000. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +5. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the number transported +was about one in every 1,600,000. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +6. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number of +employees (1,296,121) was about one in every 19. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +7. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +employed (1,296,121) was about one in 360. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +8. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +reported killed in all classes (10,017) was about 36 per cent. +</p> + +<p class="indent"> +9. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number +reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 80 per cent. +</p> + +<p> +10. The percentage of employees (300,000) engaged in the hazardous +part of the business such as train, engine and yardmen to the whole +number employed (1,296,121) was 25 per cent. +</p> + +<p> +11. Percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work, who +were killed (2,343), to the whole number of employees reported killed +(3,632), was 64 per cent. +</p> + +<p> +12. The percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work +who were injured (32,345) to the whole number of employees injured +(67,067) was 48 per cent. +</p> + +<p> +An examination of the statistics published by the Commission also +shows that the number of accidents depends not so much on the actual +length of track of a railroad in miles, but upon the density of its +traffic and of the population of the territory through which it runs, +for illustration take one division on a system that runs through a +thickly settled country, that has five per cent of the actual mileage +of the system and fifteen per cent of the train mileage, and another +division in the same system that runs through a sparsely settled +country, that has ten per cent of the actual mileage of the system and +five per cent of the train mileage, and it is a well-known fact that +the percentage of accidents on the former will be many times that on +the latter; +</p> + +<p> +That the heavier the traffic the greater need there is of more care +being taken in employing and educating the right kind of men to +operate the trains; and +</p> + +<p> +That with denser traffic there should come more and better supervision +to insure observance of the rules adopted for the safe operation of +trains and that the increase in quantity and quality of that +supervision should at least equal in ratio the increase in traffic. +Indeed, I believe that when this is done many of the troubles and +difficulties the railroads now labor under will pass away, and that +the additional expense caused by such increase will be saved many +times over by a general reduction in operating expenses, especially in +waste and damage. +</p> + +<p> +Accidents should be divided into four classes: +</p> + +<p> +<i>First.</i> Unavoidable accidents, or those caused by the act of +God, the public enemy, or by some miscreant who takes up a rail, +misplaces a switch, or puts an obstruction on the track. +</p> + +<p> +<i>Second.</i> Accidents to passengers, outsiders trespassing or not +trespassing, caused by the carelessness or wantonness of the injured +or some other person for whose act the railroad is not liable, or by +the failure on the part of the State or municipality to make and +enforce proper laws and ordinances to prevent stoning trains and +trespassing on the premises and cars of the companies. +</p> + +<p> +<i>Third.</i> Those caused by the want of care, foresight, or +supervision on the part of the management of the company. +</p> + +<p> +<i>Fourth.</i> Those caused by the carelessness, thoughtlessness, or +neglect of employees. +</p> + +<p> +Neither employees nor company can be held to blame or can prevent +accidents resulting from the first and second causes, and fortunately +for the reputation as well as the treasury of the companies over +one-half of all the fatalities and a large proportion of the seriously +injured come under the second class, and until the life and limb of a +trespasser (10 per cent or 1,000 of the 10,000 killed and injured on +the railroads of this country every year being children under fourteen +years of age) are considered to be of some value to their families and +to the State, they will not only continue to occur, but will increase +each year as our population and traffic grow. +</p> + +<p> +Accidents caused by carelessness, thoughtlessness, or neglect of +employees are the large majority of all that happen, and if we could +eliminate them, or one-half of them, there would be little cause for +complaint on the part of the management of the companies, or criticism +on the part of the public, and the claim agent would have a bed of +roses instead of the busiest and hardest worked office on the road, +and I believe that when the employees really understand the matter +many of them will be eliminated. +</p> + +<p> +We should bear in mind that it is not the great train accidents that +make the large majority of the total deaths and injuries on the +railroads of this country, about which so much is said in the public +press, but it is the little cases that are unheralded in the press, or +in the courts, that make the totals so large; the little things that +are happening every day, on every railroad in the country, which go on +happening every year in the same old way, and they are the cases which +could and should be avoided by the exercise of greater care and +thoughtfulness—more of them come from thoughtlessness than any other +cause. My experience leads me irresistibly to the conclusion that +after all it is the <i>man</i>, not the safety appliance, that we must +depend on to prevent accidents, as has been demonstrated by any number +of cases that have occurred at points where the track has been lined +with safety appliances. +</p> + + + + +<p class="chapter"> +The Cause +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +INJURIES TO PASSENGERS +</p> + +<p> +Injuries to passengers for which employees are at fault, and which +could and should be avoided, result from collisions, derailments, +improper handling and management of trains and stations, and I will, +by way of illustration, cite a few cases which have occurred and tell +you how, in my opinion, they might have been avoided. +</p> + +<p> +We will first take those caused by collisions: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>At Forest Station, April 2, in which 3 passengers were killed and + 26 injured, caused by train No. 112, upon which they were riding, + being run into by engine No. 405, hauling train No. 2, Engineman + Jackson, at 4 p.m.</p> + +<p> + Charles Early and ten other passengers injured May 21, at 8 a.m., + caused by engine 109, hauling train 477, colliding with engine 309 + backing a train to yards; latter train had been stopped five + minutes, engine standing under 89th street viaduct, contrary to + rule 31. Smoke blew down on track, hiding engine and train. +</p></div> + +<p> +In a dense fog and on a part of the division and at a time when trains +were thick, with a knowledge that he had followed No. 112 all the way +from Thornton, the engineman was so careless as to run by two +automatic signals set at danger, a flagman, and into No. 112, and +three lives go out and 20 odd are injured. Could anything be more +reckless? Do any of you want to ride behind that kind of runner or be +on a train in front of him, even if you have your life insured and +your home paid for? Will we not all agree that such a man is unsafe +and unfit for the service? And in view of the dense fog and the number +of trains moving, should not trains have been blocked a station apart? +It is an absolute protection against accident, which the time interval +is not. And when you enginemen see a signal against you, think of the +wrecks you have known of since you entered the service, and +<span class="sc">stop</span>; take no chances. If you can't see the signal, if your +view is obstructed by smoke or steam so that you can't see the track +beyond the smoke or steam, stop or slow down until you know it safe to +proceed. And don't do as was done in the second case mentioned above, +but slow down to such a speed that you can stop within the range of +your vision. In case of doubt always take the safe course. If you know +a man with defective vision and so little regard for the lives of +others as to try to remain in the service with that defect, you owe it +as a duty to yourself, to your family, the passengers, and other +employees, as well as to the company, to report him to the proper +officer before and not after an accident occurs. Some day there will +be a law requiring frequent examination of the vision of trainmen, but +until that time comes we should all do the best we can to guard +against such men. +</p> + +<p> +Next we come to accidents caused by making a switch of cars containing +passengers without the engine being attached to the car: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Thomas H. Norton, injured Oct. 20, in Sixtieth St. yards; caused + by the Pullman car Winona, in which he was traveling, being kicked + down against a coach standing at the other end of track, by switch + engine 731; and when switch crew tried to stop the car they + claimed they could not do so with hand brakes, although they were + in good condition.</p></div> + +<p> +Everyone knows that it is unsafe to handle a car containing passengers +without the engine being coupled to it and air-brake in use, and that +Rule 10<a href="#note1" name="noteref1"> +<small>[1]</small></a> expressly prohibits such work, yet in this case it was done +by men long in the service, who probably had done the same thing +before without accident and without being caught, so they chanced it +once too often, and the cost in this case would pay many times over +for the time they had saved before. It is just as unsafe to switch +caboose cars in which train crews are resting or cars loaded with +horses and cattle or emigrant movables in that way, and it ought to be +stopped. If it was, there would not be the injuries to trainmen or +damages to live stock that we have now from that cause. +</p> + +<p> +We all have no end of trouble with circuses and theatrical troupes +traveling in their own cars, many of which ought to be in the scrap +heap. These cars should never be accepted, no matter who is in them or +what notice you may have received about the runs to be made with them, +unless the brakes, running gear, and everything connected with them +are in good repair, but when you do take them, handle them as +carefully as if they contained dynamite, and get them off the line +without accident. When you find such a car on a track which you are +obliged to use—it should when possible be set on a track not used for +switching—either to move it or some other car, handle it with the +greatest care; don't do as was done at Harrison just a short time ago +when +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Laura Jameson, with a theatrical troupe, was in car "Pomfret," + Nov. 9th, which was coupled onto by engine No. 402 with such force + that she was thrown from the chair in which she was sitting, + bruising and injuring her.</p></div> + +<p> +Neither would any of the following cases, caused by careless handling, +have happened: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. R. A. Storrs, passenger injured at Whiteford, Aug. 8th, at + 7:20 a.m. Engine was pulling train back in the yard and ran in on + track that had some cars on it and collided with them, the switch + having been left open.</p> + +<p> + W. R. Thomas, injured at Winton, at 2:50 p.m., Dec. 10, by reason + of standing up near stove in way-car when two cars were coupled on + train, he was thrown against stove and onto floor. +</p> + +<p> + John A. Klohs, stockman, was riding in the caboose of extra stock + train east, at Yale, June 4th; got up to take off his coat; the + train was coupled up with so much force that he was thrown over + the stove and his ankle injured. +</p></div> + +<p> +Now we will take up cases caused by careless loading and unloading of +freight from mixed trains: +</p> + +<p> +It would not seem necessary to have to tell anyone that timbers or +telegraph poles ought not to be unloaded from moving trains carrying +passengers, or from any moving train, and yet that is exactly what was +done, when +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>John A. Owen, W. A. Stead, Martin Kjoelseth, Andrew Thorsen, and + C. G. Strombeck, passengers on train No. 82, were injured at + Wallace, Aug. 2, by reason of the caboose in which they were + riding colliding with some cars on the side track, caused by + Anderson, a telegraph lineman, unloading some poles from a car in + the train upon which they were riding while it was moving, one of + which struck a switch target, opened switch, and caboose ran into + side track and collided with cars.</p></div> + +<p> +And when you have a car loaded with logs in your train see that they +are secure. If you do an accident like the one near Hamlin, January +8th, won't occur: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Julius Lewinsky, passenger, was injured while riding in coach; + chain on one of the cars gave away, and logs fell off and were + forced through bottom of the coach, striking his left leg.</p></div> + +<p> +It would seem to be a simple matter to see that logs, water pipes, +machinery, or other property liable to fall from cars are properly +secured before car is taken in the train, and so avoid such accidents. +Why not do it? +</p> + +<p> +When in a terrible rain-storm you are running with a slow order over a +track which is being repaired, don't do it at a speed of 50 or 60 +miles an hour, if you value your life and the lives of those in the +cars behind you. If you don't value them, don't do it because it is +dangerous and your orders tell you not to, and because your family +will suffer if you get killed in the attempt and the company's +property will be damaged, and don't, under such, or any other, +circumstances, run by a station five minutes ahead of time contrary to +Rule 4, and yet that is just what was done on the night of July 2, +when +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>James Williams, engineman; Charles Jones, fireman; and two tramps + were killed; and F. C. Stodmeister, brakeman; W. W. McAllister, + baggageman; C. W. H. Brown, Charles Brown, and A. Parsons, + porters; W. J. Smith, telegraph operator; Mrs. Miller, Alice + Eager, and Mrs. David, passengers, and Thomas King, a tramp, were + injured, 1½ miles west of Janeway by train No. 8 running off + derail and knocking down the tower.</p></div> + +<p> +When you get a bulletin prohibiting your running down certain hills or +around curves faster than 30 miles an hour, don't do it at 40 or 50 +miles an hour, as it is unsafe, and yet that is exactly what was done +May 12 near Wilkes, and resulted in the derailment of freight train +No. 18, and +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>William Little, brakeman, was killed, M. J. McWheeney, Geo. + Orneson, Jr., O. A. Dalseth, C. F. Shoelkopf, Geo. V. Hickock, and + C. W. Doner, passengers, injured.</p></div> + +<p> +A bulletin was issued by Superintendent Davis prohibiting trains going +down this hill faster than 30 miles an hour. From the statements of +the train crew it would appear that no attention had been paid to this +bulletin, and, from what the passengers say, it has been customary for +a long time for trains coming into Wilkes from Notman and Guilford, if +in sight of each other, to make a race to see which train could get +there first, so as to get out of Wilkes for Joppa without delay. +</p> + +<p> +Now, there was no excuse for the engineman and conductor not complying +with the order. They both got off without injury, as the parties to +blame for such accidents generally do. Neither was there any excuse +for the train dispatcher not knowing that the order was being +disregarded daily, as the train sheets would tell him that, and he +should have stopped it. To my mind, he was just as guilty as the +engineman and conductor, and should have received the same punishment. +And when disregard of such orders and bulletins are not winked at, +until an accident happens, there will be fewer cases of failure to +observe them. +</p> + +<p> +Don't try to run around curves 50 or 60 miles an hour, as a train I +was riding on a few weeks ago did and went in the ditch; neither +should freight or passenger trains run over interlocking switches +faster than 15 and 25 miles an hour, respectively, because it is not +safe to do so, and Rule 5 says you must not. Conductors, who are in +supreme command of the train, should pull the air on any engineman who +is running too fast around curves, over bad places, or through +stations, and when you get in, report the matter to your +superintendent, as reckless running should not and will not be +tolerated. +</p> + +<p> +Next we have the accidents resulting from occasional derailments, +which were not serious, but might have been, and it is the cause, as +well as the result, we want to eliminate, such as: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. K. Smith and four other passengers, train No. 6, which was + derailed at Heilprin, Sept. 3. The train was very crowded and + these women were standing up at the time of the accident and were + injured.</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Jessie Doan and five other passengers, injured Oct. 11, + caused by train No. 15 being derailed one-half mile east of Morse + station, caused by reason of a brake-shoe on the tank of the + engine coming off; this brake-shoe had an old defect. +</p> + +<p> + J. E. Fitzsimmons, passenger, injured near Hedley, by derailment + of train No. 316, on which he was riding. +</p></div> + +<p> +None of which would have happened if some one had not failed to +perform his duty, and when every accident, no matter how slight, is +investigated by an expert—who reports not to the officer who may be +primarily at fault, but to the chief operating officer—to ascertain +the actual cause and find a remedy, such cases will be largely +eliminated. +</p> + +<p> +The same is true of injuries like the following, resulting from trains +breaking in two: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>R. B. Janeway, passenger, and J. P. Mitchell, baggageman, injured + Jan. 9th near Gray. Train No. 280 broke in two and rear end ran + into head end.</p> + +<p> + George Burgan and W. L. Smith and two other stockmen, injured at + Newport, Neb., Nov. 21st; train broke in two, and when the two + parts came together these men, who were sitting on the locker in + way-car, were knocked down. +</p></div> + +<p> +Another class of accidents which are of altogether too frequent +occurrence are injuries caused by trains not stopping long enough for +passengers to alight. +</p> + +<p> +Frequently the persons injured are old people not accustomed to +traveling, who are necessarily slow in their movements, and of whom we +should take greater care. Think how you or I would feel if our mother +or grandmother, if we were fortunate enough to have them with us +still, were injured just because a conductor or brakeman didn't have +forethought or decency enough to give them time to get off. If you +will do that, there will not be a procession of such cases as the +following, and the companies will be so much ahead. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. A. J. Denman, passenger from Norwood to Avon, injured at + Garwin, Sept. 7th; caused by the train not stopping long enough + for her to alight.</p> + +<p> + Mrs. C. E. Collinwood and C. Collinwood, passengers on train No. + 32, from Omaha, injured at Hamburg, Oct. 17th; caused by train + starting before they had an opportunity to get off. +</p> + +<p> + P. J. Wilkins, passenger, injured at Johnsport, at 1:10 a.m., Oct. + 31, getting off train No. 35, while in an intoxicated condition; + brakeman gave signal for train to start as the man was coming down + the steps, thinking as he claims, that the man would have gotten + off before train started; both the brakeman and the conductor of + train knew that the man was intoxicated. +</p> + +<p> + Sarapino Guiseppi, injured at Engletown, Sept. 26, at 6:15 p.m. + When train stopped at Engletown a number of passengers crowded + onto it and, before this man had an opportunity to get off, the + train started, and, while alighting, he fell and was run over and + lost his left arm. +</p></div> + +<p> +It seems to me that if the instructions contained in Rule 19, +requiring the announcing of stations by brakemen, were complied with +and thereby passengers given ample notice of the approach of the train +to their destination, they would be prepared to get off instead of in +the present method, or, rather, lack of method, as the rule is so +seldom observed as to cause comment when it is complied with, and if, +before giving the signal to start, trainmen would get upon the car +platform and look into the cars to see that there was no one else to +get off, especially should this be done at night when passengers are +tired and sleepy, when platform lights are not any too numerous, and +with excursionists, and picnickers who are often none too sober and +who are not accustomed to moving quickly, and if at division terminals +trainmen would pay more attention to assisting passengers off instead +of being in such a hurry to cut off a car, getting their markers, or +getting away from the train, not only would such accidents as those +last enumerated be avoided, but the journey would be made much more +comfortable to passengers; and the road doing this would increase its +traffic. Deadheads, who mostly ride in Pullmans or private cars, do +not realize how annoying and exasperating to paying passengers is the +present method of trainmen, going into the cars and pretending to call +stations in some dead language, or by talking to themselves. In +transferring passengers from express to local trains trainmen must +bear in mind that the passenger is frequently unaccustomed to the +surroundings, is generally overanxious about getting off so as not to +miss connections, and coming from a lighted car out into the darkness, +in his hurry and excitement may not notice that the train is running; +in these cases the train is always moving so smoothly the passenger +thinks (or says he does) that it has stopped, and off he goes, and it +is necessary, to prevent such accidents occurring, to exercise the +greatest care, and by proper announcement make it plain to all such +passengers that ample time will be given them to alight, and that the +train they are to take cannot pull out until after your train does. +</p> + +<p> +And when you are receiving passengers, especially on mixed or freight +trains, don't start until they have a chance to get seated, and then +such cases as the following won't occur: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. A. L. Bishop, passenger on freight train 91 from Milton to + Jessop, had gotten into caboose, but had not time to get seated + before train started with a jerk; she was thrown down and injured.</p> +<p> + Mrs. Mary Hanson, passenger from Grant to Portsmouth, on train 15, + June 4th, 1:15 p.m. Before she had time to get to her seat, train + started, and she was thrown down and injured. +</p></div> + +<p> +When you are making your station stop, don't jerk your train, after it +has stopped, or is about to stop, and while the passengers are getting +off, as they surely will commence to do so as soon as (if not before) +the train is stopped. Don't pull up or back up a few feet to get to +the standpipe or coal chute, because if you do, some one is liable to +get hurt, as the following did: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Dr. H. Q. Johnson, passenger, injured at Dale, Sept 6; train No. + 603, stopped at station platform and then started to move ahead + again. Dr. Johnson stepped from platform onto steps of coach and, + as he did so, brakes were set to emergency and train stopped + suddenly; he was thrown against the edge of vestibule.</p> + +<p> + Helen Kennedy, a child 2-1/2 years old, with its parents, was on + train No. 73, bound for Stratford; had gotten up for the purpose + of getting off at Henderson, March 26. Train stopped and as + passengers were on the platform it was backed up without notice, + and this child was thrown, and her arm went between the car + platforms, badly bruising and cutting it, just missed taking it + off. +</p></div> + +<p> +And when you are pulling into a station and intend to take water and +are going to run by the pipe a few feet, don't use the emergency brake +to stop with, because, if you do, some one is liable to get hurt. +Nearly every one has been on a train when this has been done contrary +to Rules 42 and 43, and if you enginemen could hear some of the +uncomplimentary remarks that are made about you and the company on +such occasions, you would feel like thirty cents. And when it is +raining to beat the band, stop your trains so that the passengers can +get off opposite the station building and avoid getting wet, do not +pull them by a couple of hundred feet just because the locomotive is +thirsty. Pull up to the tank after the passengers get on and off, so +says Rule 24, and the women, and men, too, for that matter, will think +you are a dandy and vote for you the next time you run for school +trustee; and perhaps, by so doing, you may prevent your best girl +spoiling her dress. +</p> + +<p> +And when you are running an engine you want to know that its +grease-cups are screwed on tight and that its brake-shoes are not +cracked, if you do not want to have cases like the following: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Fred. C. Mitchell, while waiting for a train on station platform + at Lucian, Feb. 1st, was struck and fatally injured by a + grease-cup plug from engine No. 206.</p> + +<p> + Chas. C. Wilson, standing on the platform at Newton, June 30th, to + take passage on a train; brake-shoe on engine No. 716, running + through the station at 60 or 65 miles an hour, broke, and part of + it struck him on the foot. +</p></div> + +<p> +One of the rules most frequently disregarded is No. 11, prohibiting a +train on the double track pulling through a station while another one +is standing there unloading passengers. +</p> + +<p> +About nine times out of ten you can do it without an accident, but the +tenth time some one will get hurt and you will get a vacation from 30 +days to life. I know it is tantalizing, when you are pulling a fast +train and are, perhaps a little late, to be compelled to stop and wait +until the other train has pulled out, and its last car passed the end +of the platform nearest you, when you could sneak through the station +and save a little time, and perhaps no harm be done and no one be the +wiser; but don't do it, because the rule says you must not. +</p> + +<p> +If that part of the rule which says, "When two trains are nearing a +station from opposite directions at the same time, and only one of +them is scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed +and let the other through the station before it arrives" was complied +with, the trouble would be largely overcome. +</p> + +<p> +You men who are running stations should see that your platform lamps +are not only kept clean and properly filled, but that after dark they +are burning so that passengers won't get hurt falling off platforms in +the dark, and that the platforms are kept clear of freight as per Rule +17; that baggage and express trucks are placed where patrons won't +fall over them, and, if there is a fast train coming, especially a +mail or newspaper train, notify the passengers and get them inside the +depot, the only safe place at such times. Especially is this necessary +on the double track. If there is a broken plank or a hole in the +station platform, nail a board over it until the carpenters can get +around to fix it. See that the platforms are kept clear of snow and +ice; but when there is ice on the platform throw ashes or sand over +the ice so that people won't slip on it. And if you have people +waiting for trains at your station, especially in the night-time, see +that the fire in the stove in the waiting-room is kept going so that +they will be comfortable and not catch cold. It will take you less +time to do these things than it will to make a report of an injury, +and then cases like these won't be put up to your claim agent to guess +at: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. J. P. Gedney, injured at Ontario, June 24, 10:27 p.m., was + at station to take passage on train No. 17, went out of a lighted + waiting-room onto a dark platform and fell.</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Mollis Schmella and Dr. Cleveland, injured, passengers on + train 31, arrived at Altruria 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21st; + raining; got off train, no lights on platform; doors of depot + locked, and fell from platform to track. +</p> + +<p> + M. O. Hudson, passenger from Elton to Woodbridge, on train No. 47, + arriving at latter place Aug. 28th, at 12:30 a.m., got off coach + and ran up to baggage car to get baggage; in doing so ran against + train signal on platform, was thrown down and injured; no lights + on platform or in signal. +</p> + +<p> + S. W. Thomas, passenger on train No. 48, injured at Harkrader, Oct + 21st, at 11:20 p.m., was getting off chair car, which stood 150 + ft. south of the platform; there were no lights, and the porter + had no lantern, and when he stepped from the car step to the + porter's box he slipped and fell. +</p></div> + +<p> +And sweep the car platforms, so passengers won't slip on banana peels, +and then such a case as the following won't happen: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>H. T. Witheridge, injured at Wingate, Aug. 4, 1903, caused by his + slipping on a banana peeling left on the platform of a coach in + train No. 176 by the car cleaners.</p></div> + +<p> +When passengers are carried on freight trains Rule 12 says the car in +which they are riding must stop at the platform to unload them. Don't +do it out in the yard, and, if you have to do switching after +unloading the passengers, stop at the station platform as you are +pulling out and give the passengers a chance to get on and not compel +them to go into the yard in order to do so. If at night, they might +fall into a culvert or over some obstruction alongside the track and +get hurt, and, if the platform at the station is short, arrange your +work so as to make one stop where the passengers can get off safely, +and notify them, so they will know when they can do so; and be sure to +assist them in getting on and off, especially the old men and women, +the children, and the cripples (that is what Rule 23 says, you always +do it for the young and pretty girls) and then we won't be trying to +conjure up excuses for cases like the following, or pay for them +either: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Miss Belle Saunders, injured at Milwood, Dec. 14, was a passenger + on train No. 16 from Homer to Milwood. A mixed train. It was + stopped some distance from the passenger station; the passengers + were allowed to alight, and in getting from the track to the + street going down the embankment she fell and sprained her left + ankle. It has been the custom to stop this train at this point for + some time and allow the passengers to get off there, the busses + coming up as near as they could to take them to the hotel.</p> + +<p> + Mrs. A. Zuehlke, injured at Granby, Oct. 10th, at 6:10 p.m., in + getting off a train on which she had been riding as a passenger; + the station platform is so short that only the platform of one car + in train can be stopped at it. +</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Mary H. Crawford, passenger, injured at Beulah, Oct. 13th, + getting off train No. 35; porter allowed her to fall, and she + stepped between platform and car steps. +</p></div> + +<p> +Many of the roads have the steps on coaches that come near enough to +the ground so that such accidents are practically impossible, but on +the Pullmans and on cars of some of the roads they are so high from +the station platform as to require a ladder to get on them. Why they +are not all made on a proper and safe standard no one seems to know. +</p> + +<p> +Another cause of injury to passengers, especially children, who always +want the windows open, is by the windows falling and injuring them. +Nearly always their little hands or fingers get hurt; or by +ventilators falling on their heads. When you have an accident caused +by a window falling examine it immediately and, if the catches are all +right, show the injured person or, if a child, the man or woman in +whose charge it is traveling, that is was not the fault of the window +catch, and at the same time call the attention of some intelligent +passenger and of your brakeman to the matter and have them try the +window catch, and send in their names and addresses with your report. +If, however, the catch is defective report the fact, but don't +advertise it, and whenever you find any defective catches or anything +else wrong about a car in your train call the attention of the first +car repairer you meet to the matter and have it repaired, and report +it to your superintendent. If the car repairers would make an +examination of the windows, their catches, and of the ventilators, for +the purpose of finding out their actual condition, we would get rid of +many such cases. Do the same thing with the matting in the aisles, and +when there is a hole in it get it fixed, or get a new one. If you +can't do that, take the matting up and so prevent any one falling on +it. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Ruth Darman, child five years old, injured December 25th, near + Correctionville, was riding in coach 269, train No. 39; caused by + ventilator window falling and striking her, injuring her head.</p> + +<p> + J. E. Wills, passenger on train No. 25, January 25th, stumbled + over the zinc at end of matting, which was out of condition, in + coach No. 659. +</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Jones, passenger, injured September 23d, at Junction, was + riding in coach 480, train 65, when train stopped at Junction. She + walked to rear end of coach and in doing so caught her foot in a + hole in the aisle matting and fell forward on her face. +</p> + +<p> + Nora Holm, 3 years of age, injured near Henshaw, July 24th; caused + by a window in coach 338, train 9, falling on her arm, on account + of a defective spring. +</p></div> + +<p> +And, speaking of aisles, so far as possible get passengers to keep +their valises, suit cases, and bundles out of the aisles so that other +passengers won't fall over them. If the glass in a door gets broken, +when the train is running, be sure that the glass is taken out of the +frame, so that passengers won't catch their hands on it. Take pains to +see that your passengers, especially the old and infirm, the women, +and children, are provided with seats, and when some passenger, +whether man or woman, who has paid for only one seat or is riding on a +pass, is occupying three or four seats, have them make room for those +standing. Pay some attention to ventilation—in cold weather open the +ventilators on the side the smoke trails on, and then there won't be +any draught. In other words, comply with Rule 20 and then cases like +the following, which seem to be on the increase, won't happen: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Mrs. Alice Gahriels, passenger from Clinton, Iowa, to Lincoln, + Neb., on train No. 3, June 2d, while returning from the dining car + between Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine stumbled over a valise which + was left in the aisle of the chair car and fell and was injured.</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Little, passenger, injured at Van Buren Street depot at 9:52 + p.m., March 9th, was alighting from train No. 594, and in doing so + took hold of frame of vestibule door of coach. The glass in door + had been broken and this lady's hand was seriously cut on the + broken pieces which had not been taken out of the frame. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +EJECTMENT OF PASSENGERS AND OTHERS FROM TRAINS +</p> + +<p> +Everyone is supposed to know that neither passengers or tramps should +be ejected from a train when it is in motion, and, in the case of +passengers, the ejectment must only be made at an open station, so +that the person ejected will have a place of shelter if at night or if +it is storming; that women and children of tender years must not be +ejected at all; and that if a person refusing to pay his fare is in +such condition as to be unable to care for himself, he must be placed +in custody of the nearest station agent. So says Rule 21, which also +tells you to make a report of the ejectment, giving the cause thereof +and names of the witnesses on Form 992, a blank which every conductor +running a train that carries passengers should have in his set of +blanks, and use it when he puts anyone off. +</p> + +<p> +The principal trouble in ejectment cases is when passengers are put +off away from a station or when tramps are put off while the train is +in motion, resulting often in a serious injury, and, while very +frequently the patience of trainmen is severely tried by these +"hoboes," don't put them off when the train is moving. After all, they +are human beings and we don't want to maim or kill them. So stop the +train; and don't shoot them unless in self-defense. I mention the +following as a few sample cases: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Charles Williston, while in an intoxicated condition, attempted to + get on train No. 16 while same was in motion, at Alger, March + 16th. Baggageman and express messenger was standing inside door of + car and saw this man getting on; went to the front door, had the + cross bar in his hands, and ordered the man off. In getting off, + Williston fell and his leg was run over.</p> + +<p> + Edw. Hock, injured at Smithville, March 25th, by being ejected + from extra freight train, while same was running six or seven + miles an hour. Hock had got on train, having been told by someone + that he could ride on it—having mileage—and conductor made him + get off while train was in motion, and in getting off he was + injured. +</p> + +<p> + Louis Nelson, colored boy, had been stealing a ride on train No. + extra 112; was ordered off by conductor at Avon, May 19th; after + he got off conductor shot him in the arm. +</p> + +<p> + James Mills, injured at Pewaukee, October 21st, got on milk train + for the purpose of stealing a ride. Was ordered off by brakeman + while train was in motion. In getting off he fell and was run over. +</p></div> + +<p> +When passengers are injured <i>by stones or anything else thrown +through or at the windows of cars</i> render them such assistance as +you can; have the company's surgeon called to treat them, and if the +stone or object which broke the glass or which caused the injury comes +in the car pick it up and mark it so that you can identify it in the +future and send it in with your report, as per Rules 35 and 40. It is +as unfortunate that so many such cases occur as it is that there is no +way by which railroads can prevent them, and until the State and +municipal authorities take a hand in the matter they will continue to +happen and passengers will continue to lose their vision. +</p> +<br> +<hr align="left" noshade size="2" width="40%"> + +<a name="note1"> </a> +<p class="foot"> +<a href="#noteref1">[1]</a> Copies of all rules referred to will be +found in the Appendix. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +INJURIES TO PATRONS AND DAMAGE TO THEIR PROPERTY +</p> + +<p> +Next come the accidents in which patrons are injured and their +property damaged. It is generally understood, and has been the custom +on all railroads, and Rule 50 requires, that before going onto a track +on which cars are placed to be loaded or unloaded by patrons or +employees it is the duty of the person in charge of the crew to go +along the track to ascertain if there is anyone in the cars, loading +or unloading them, or wagons close enough to the cars to be injured or +damaged by their movement, and, if so, to give ample warning in order +that such persons, wagons, and gang planks may be moved to a safe +place. In the mining district especial care should be exercised in +handling cars being loaded or unloaded by the mining companies' +employees, many of whom do not understand our language or the danger +of the business, in order that ample opportunity be given them to get +off the car before it is moved. How often that rule and custom is +violated is shown by the following cases: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Ludwig Hoffmeister, injured at Montmorency, July 12; some cars + were switched down against the car from which he was unloading + apples, without notice to him, and he was thrown down and injured.</p> + +<p> + H. Schurmann, laborer, injured April 2 at Hennessy. He was in car + piling tile when the car was struck by a car of coal dropped in on + that track, knocking the tile down on Schurmann. +</p> + +<p> + Foster & Roberts Co., for value of building at Lewiston, May 3. + Engineman and fireman left engine and went into factory to get a + drink; the engine with car ran away and knocked building down. +</p> + +<p> + Car loaded with salt; was being kicked down main line at Hawkins, + October 12, brakes broke, car ran in on side track and struck + another car, knocking it against side of building belonging to + Blumenthal & Co., breaking in the walls and damaging machinery. +</p> + +<p> + June 8, switching crew at Kempshall backed a box car against the + ammonia pipe which carries ammonia from the brewery to the + bottling works of the Kempshall Brewing Company, knocking down the + pipe, which was only twelve feet high, allowing the ammonia to + escape. +</p></div> + +<p> +No one will pretend that these accidents and consequent injuries and +losses could not have been avoided by the exercise of a little +forethought and care. Why not do it and stop them in the future, avoid +the injuries and save the money they cost? +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS TO TRAVELERS ON THE HIGHWAY +</p> + +<p> +The increasing frequency of accidents to travelers crossing the tracks +at highways, one-third of which the country over are fatal, are caused +by the increased number and speed of trains, increase in the +population of the territory through which the roads run, by the +failure to always give the required signal of the approach of the +train, frequently by freight trains passing through stations at a +speed prohibited by Rule 6, by failure to have gates or flagmen at +crossings where they are needed, by failure of gatemen and flagmen, +when provided, to properly perform their duties on account of +ignorance or carelessness, generally the former; but chiefly is the +increase caused by failure on the part of the persons crossing the +track to exercise any care whatever. Gates and flagmen are generally +disregarded by adults and, as a natural consequence, by children, and +the result is death and injury. I think that as a matter of dollars +and cents it would be profitable to the companies to increase the +number and quality of flagmen and have greater supervision given to +this class of the service, as it seems to me a self-evident +proposition that the lower the grade of labor the more supervision +there is needed. +</p> + +<p> +Among the many cases of this kind, I have selected some which will +illustrate the matter. They are selected for the purpose of calling +the attention of employees to accidents which might be avoided by the +exercise of care on their part, and do not include any cases caused by +such negligence on the part of the person injured as should bar a +recovery. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Herbert Janson, wife, daughter, son and George Griffith killed; + Morris Peck and Henry Blume injured, December 18, at 9:00 p.m., + while driving across the tracks at Haskell; caused by sleigh being + struck by engine running forty miles an hour. Headlight not + burning, as required by Rule 55. No flagman at this crossing at + night.</p> + +<p> + H. S. Sorner, who was riding in an automobile across the tracks at + Morton, April 14, was struck by engine; automobile was demolished + but occupants not seriously injured. No gates or flagman at this + crossing. +</p> + +<p> + Jacob Reich and Elbert Harris struck and killed while driving on + 13th St., Montgomery, May 29, at 5:30 p.m., by engine. Gates up. + The piano wagon on which these men were riding was demolished as + well as the piano, and the horse killed. +</p> + +<p> + K. L. Manson, injured, rural mail carrier, struck by switch engine + No. 869, at Woodmont Ave., Custer, June 12. There are gates at + this crossing, but they had not been operated for a year on + account of being out of repair. +</p> + +<p> + Gertrude Schiff, aged sixteen years, and Gustave Schiff, aged + twenty years, were injured while driving across the tracks at + first crossing east of Granton, August 9, at 6:35 p.m., by being + struck by engine. No whistle was blown for the station and bell + not rung. The station employee, whose duty it was to be on the + crossing to flag same when trains were passing, had left there + only an instant before the accident in order to go to the station + house to assist in loading and unloading baggage for another + train. +</p> + +<p> + H. L. Connors, driving across the tracks near Lowell, November 18, + was struck by engine. No whistle sounded or bell rung for the + crossing. Whistling post not in right place. +</p> + +<p> + M. A. Graves, while crossing the tracks at 9th Avenue and Wilbert + street, Ontario, May 8, was struck by switch engine. No one on the + engine knew that the accident had occurred. +</p> + +<p> + Edward Langdon struck and killed by engine at 7:21 p.m., August + 6, at Water and Orchard streets, Berlin. No one on the engine knew + that an accident had occurred; train traveling twenty-five miles + an hour. Ordinance provides speed limit of twelve miles an hour; + gates at this crossing, but not in operation. If Rule 6 had been + complied with this accident would not have occurred. +</p> + +<p> + Wagon belonging to the Empire Novelty Company struck at Calkins at + 9:37 a.m., October 29; wagon and contents badly damaged. Flagman + at crossing claims to have been sick at the time of the accident, + was in his shanty sitting down. He could not speak or understand + English. Driver injured. +</p></div> + +<p> +Many of these crossing accidents occur and no one on the engine knows +that they happen. Whether it is because of the kind and position of +the headlight now used or because the men on the engine are not +keeping a proper lookout or by reason of the recent manner of +construction of the large engines, making it impossible for the men in +charge always to see an object on the track, I do not know, but I +notice that some of the Class G-9 engines have the air cylinder and +pump on top of the running board. While riding on a train the other +day, I asked an old runner whether they obstructed the view. His +answer was an object lesson. He took his hat and placed it in front of +the window opposite which I was riding and asked me if that obstructed +my view. The cylinder could, I think, be put on the tank and the pump +below the running board, which is now made wide enough to hold a +political meeting on. Formerly they were narrow, just wide enough for +a man to walk on, the old theory of construction being, as I +understand it, that there should be nothing protruding from the sides +of the boiler which would prevent the man in the cab seeing the +bunting beam. If it were practicable to so construct the running +boards and place air cylinders, pumps, etc., so that this could now be +done, the engineman would certainly have a much better chance to see, +and possibly some of these accidents be avoided. +</p> + +<p> +And while the public insist upon our running trains at a high rate of +speed and guarding the crossings with gates, flagmen, or warning +bells, they, at the same time, for some inexplicable as well as +unconscionable reason, attempt to hold railroads liable for all deaths +and injuries, no matter how great the care and foresight the companies +have exercised, or how gross the neglect of the injured party. It +therefore behooves us to do everything possible to prevent such +accidents, not only that we may thereby save life, but also money. +</p> + +<p> +If gatemen and flagmen were uniformed and given authority to arrest +persons crossing the track when gates are down and a penalty provided +and enforced against people attempting to cross or walk upon a +railroad track when the gates are down or they are warned by a +flagman, accidents at crossings would be greatly reduced. As it is now +the public compels the erection of the gates and then almost +universally disregards them. +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving this subject of accidents at highway crossings I want +to call attention to Rule 12, which says that when cars are being +pushed by an engine (except when shifting or making up trains in +yards) a flagman must be on the leading car, and Rule 9, which +requires that when cars are being switched over highway or street +railway crossings a man must be stationed on the ground to act as +flagman. Too much importance cannot be placed upon the observance of +these rules, not occasionally, but always. If employees would comply +with them fewer people would be injured. Try it and see. +</p> + +<p> +In municipalities, run as slowly and carefully as you can and see that +the engine bell is always ringing. Rule 3. Freight trains in going +through stations should reduce their speed and do so under control, as +per Rule 6. The fireman, as well as the engineman, should be on his +seat keeping a lookout, and not engaged in waving a signal to some one +on another train or elsewhere, or putting in a fire, and the engineman +should see that he does this. On the double track when you are going +to meet another train at a crossing, try to get the engine over the +highway before the tail end of the other train gets by it. If you +can't do that, slow up a little, so as to give the people who may be +waiting a chance to see you, and, if you think there is danger, open +your whistle to let them know that you are coming; that is what the +whistle is for. +</p> + +<p> +In the country be sure to sound the whistle; not once, but four times +as required by Rule 2, and see that the bell is kept ringing until the +crossing is passed, at dangerous and obscure crossings where you can +neither see the travelers approaching nor they you; if you are running +at a high rate of speed, sound the whistle before you get to the post, +as well as at it. The law requiring the giving of this warning eighty +rods from the highway was enacted when few trains exceeded twenty-five +miles an hour. Now, when few passenger trains make less than forty, +and many over seventy, in the open country, so little time elapses +between the sounding of the whistle and the reaching of the highway +that when possible more timely notice should be given. +</p> + +<p> +And I want to say here that one of the difficulties met with in this +class of cases, is the fact that sometimes engineers fail to blow the +whistle and ring the bell, and as long as men are human I suppose such +things will happen; but let us commence now and try to do it every +time. The greater the storm of rain, snow, or wind, the denser the +fog, or the darker the night, the more important it is to give the +warning. In most of the states the law provides penalties for failure +to sound whistle or bell. Some day they will be enforced. +</p> + +<p> +If there is any way to discover whether the engineman and trainmen are +observing the signals, which are located along the track for the +protection of the passengers, other employees, travelers on the +highways, themselves, and the property in their care, other than +having inspectors observe their action on approaching signals, and +ascertain if they give the required warning of their approach to +highway crossings, etc., and you will advise the managements what it +is, I am sure they will be glad to adopt such a plan. It has always +been customary to have auditors examine the accounts of officers and +agents handling money to see that not only are their accounts correct, +that the money collected is remitted, but also to ascertain if the +business of the company is done in accordance with the rules and a +correct record kept of the transactions. No one for an instant thinks +that the fact that the officers' and agents' accounts are examined is +any discredit to them; most of us are not only willing but anxious +that it should be done, as it is a protection to us as well as to the +company. And if it is necessary to check up the officers and agents +who handle money, is it not much more necessary to check up men who +handle human beings and property of immense value, to see that they +observe signals and rules before, instead of after, an accident? +</p> + +<p> +And as it sometimes happens that an engineman will not notice that his +headlight has gone out, especially when there is snow on the ground, +any employee who sees an engine moving after dark without the +headlight burning should stop it and tell the engineman; if you can't +do it yourself call up the train dispatcher, so he can do it at the +next station. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +TRESPASSERS +</p> + +<p> +Occasionally we have an accident in which trespassers are killed or +injured while walking or playing on the tracks, which might be avoided +by greater care and watchfulness to discover their danger, by warning +them of the approaching train, either by continuous sounding of the +whistle, by slowing up, or by stopping when you have reason to think +they do not know a train is coming, especially on the double track +when trains are moving on both tracks. The most heartrending of them +all are injuries to children, and, sometimes, to women. +</p> + +<p> +Let me cite you several of such cases: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Albert Jennings, ten years old, was sitting on the tracks north of + Lampton, July 9, at 10:45 a.m., where he was struck by a work + train of twenty-two empty flats backing north and both legs + crushed. Air not coupled in as required by Rule 44; no hand brakes + on the cars. Conductor was on the front car; claims he was keeping + a lookout, and although he had a clear view for over a quarter of + a mile says he did not see the boy until he was within three or + four car lengths of him.</p> + +<p> + Charles West, aged eighteen months, struck and killed 1,000 feet + south of Savannah Station, June 16, by train. Child came on track + through a break in the right of way fence. +</p> + +<p> + Margaret Kennedy, struck and killed on June 13, at 6:10 p.m., + while walking on the tracks inside the city limits of Utopia, by + engine running about twenty-five miles an hour; although the + engineman saw her in time to have stopped, he did not realize that + she did not see or hear the train coming, and failed to do so. +</p> + +<p> + Mrs. Helen Boston, eighty-four years old, struck and killed on a + bridge near Lenox, September 1, at 4:35 p.m., by engine. Track is + straight for about two miles and a half east of place of accident, + and the woman wore a bright pink dress skirt. No one on the engine + knew the accident had happened. +</p> + +<p> + December 21, engine ran over G. P. Krauss, at 5:40 p.m., a quarter + of a mile south of Slazenger. Engineman says he saw something + lying on the track and thought it was a bough of evergreen. He did + not know until he reached the station that anybody had been struck. +</p></div> + +<p> +As the traffic and population increase, cases of this kind grow in +number, and, for some unknown reason, the public think that, while +they must keep off the property of private individuals, where there is +no danger, they are privileged to go onto a railroad track where +everyone knows there is great danger, and after doing so a few times, +the courts say they have a license to do so, and that we must look out +for them and see that they don't get hurt. On the same theory I +suppose the courts would say after a man burglarizes your house six or +seven times that he has a license to try it again, and if he gets hurt +because too much force was used in throwing him out, that you must +respond in damages. So when you discover that people, old or young, +are making a custom of walking through the yards or on the track, +report it to your superintendent before, not after, someone is killed +or injured, and he will try to stop it. And if you find a child or a +drunken man on the track, drive him off, because if you don't they are +likely to get killed; and your company will not only back you up but +thank you for your thoughtfulness. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +INJURIES TO OUTSIDERS +</p> + +<p> +Rule 27 says that cars must be placed so as not to project over +highway crossings, and yet any one going over a railroad will see any +number of them so left, and the result is that about once in so often +a wagon strikes a car in an attempt to get across, a horse is +frightened, and a runaway results, someone is hurt, and money paid to +settle the claim. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>A serious case of this kind occurred at Warburton, July 9, in + which Mrs. Jansen was fatally injured, caused by her horse being + frightened by a freight car which was left standing fifteen feet + in the highway, the end of the car being on the crossing plank. + Horse ran away and she was thrown out.</p></div> + +<p> +When cars are left in such position they not only frighten horses and +cause accidents similar to the one last mentioned, but also obstruct +the view of approaching trains. Both the law and rules of the company +prohibit this, and the practice should be stopped. +</p> + +<p> +And right here I want to call attention to Rule 32, which prohibits +engines standing within 100 feet of a highway crossing, under a +bridge, or near cars occupied by passengers, when it can be avoided, +and yet the rule is so often disregarded that one wonders whether any +one knows of its existence. Especially is this so with engines hauling +passenger trains stopping at stations and occupying half of the +highway, when they could just as conveniently be back some distance +from it. +</p> + +<p> +The stoppage of trains with the rear car standing in the highway +should also be avoided so far as possible, particularly in the winter +time, when there is always more or less steam leaking from the hose, +as it is likely to frighten horses waiting to get by or in crossing +the track. +</p> + +<p> +Rules 18 and 50 say that trains must not block highway crossings more +than five minutes. The failure to observe these rules is the cause of +as much, if not more, criticism and profanity on the part of the +public than almost any other one thing that train and switchmen do. No +one but the person who is waiting to get across the track, and +sometimes it is a doctor answering an emergency call, can realize how +tantalizing and annoying it is, so, for goodness sake, observe the +rules in the future. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +LOCK TURNTABLES +</p> + +<p> +Turntables should be locked (that is what Rule 31 says), and yet they +are often left unlocked. The result is that children are attracted to +the place, and sooner or later one of the little ones gets hurt as did +the following, which are cited as examples: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Anthony Young, a ten-year-old boy, had his foot caught at + Grandison, March 30, while playing on turntable which was + unlocked.</p> + +<p> + Phillip Chartres, eight years old, injured at Alvin, August 14, + 2:30 p.m., while playing on turntable, which is about 1,400 feet + north of roundhouse. Turntable was not locked. +</p></div> + +<p> +Now, it wouldn't take but an instant to lock the turntable. Why not do +it and prevent some child, perhaps your own, from going through life a +cripple? +</p> + +<p> +Be careful not to leave any torpedoes around that are not attached to +the rail, as required by Rule 7, and never put them on a rail in a +highway; if you do children may pick them up and in playing with them +get injured as did +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>John Newton, aged nine years, June 30, about two miles north of + Walker. This little boy with his sister and another boy were + returning from school, walking along the track. They picked up a + torpedo lying alongside the track, and after trying to open it + with a knife young Newton placed the torpedo on the rail and + struck it with a stone, the torpedo exploded and pieces of the tin + striking him in the eyes and face, badly injuring him.</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +DAMAGE BY FIRE TO ADJACENT PROPERTY +</p> + +<p> +One of the great risks that every railroad that uses coal for fuel +runs is the risk of fire to adjacent property started by sparks or +ashes from engines. Any man running an engine ought to know from the +sparks thrown out and fires started whether the engine is in good or +bad order. Rule 29 says that the enginemen must report defects in +netting and ash pans; this is required so that if the inspector +overlooks the defect, or if one occurs between the regular +inspections, it will be remedied before any damage is done, and if an +engine is throwing more fire than she ought to, it is up to the +engineer to report it and get it fixed. It will take less time than to +make a report about the fire and condition of the engine, and, at the +same time save both the owner of the property and the company a loss. +In the lumber and sawmill country it is especially important that this +be done, and where engines are working in or around sawmills, lumber +yards, powder and tie plants, and other places where danger of fire is +great, the apparatus for preventing the escape of fire should be +absolutely perfect, and it ought to be the personal business of the +engineman to know that fact; he should be present when the inspection +is made, and see that it is done thoroughly, the same as he would if +he and not the company had to foot the bill if the engine started a +fire. +</p> + +<p> +On the outlying divisions where traffic is light and trains are few, +if an engine starts a fire, stop and put it out. If conditions are +such that you can't do that with safety, drop a note off to the first +section crew or agent, so that they can send men out to extinguish the +fire. If you don't the Lord only knows where it may run to (on the +western prairies I have known it to go twenty-five miles) or how much +damage it will do in the lumber country. +</p> + +<p> +If the precautions suggested here, which are neither new nor original, +but can be found in the rules and on the bulletin boards, had been +adopted, none of the following cases would have occurred: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>June 3, engine No. 2041 started a fire at Hansel & Woods Company's + powder plant at Myron Valley; netting on this engine was in bad + order; the hood provided by the company to be placed over the + smokestacks of engines going into the plant of this company also + in bad condition.</p> + +<p> + A house and contents burned April 20, one-half mile south of Fort + Andrew, started by engine No. 1759. This engine was inspected and + reported to be in good condition, but upon re-examination was + found to be defective. +</p> + +<p> + On August 17, engine No. 539 set out three fires between Selkirk + and Belmont. Fires were observed by train crew, but train was not + stopped, and no effort was made to extinguish the fires, which + burned over 15,000 acres of ground, destroyed about 1,100 tons of + hay in stack, one building, a large acreage of winter feed, fence + posts, etc. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THE CARELESSNESS OF OTHER EMPLOYEES +</p> + +<p> +And, first, as in the case of passengers, those caused by collisions. +From the number of collisions on the main track and in yards one would +almost think that the general and fundamental customs and rules on +railroads that "In case of doubt always adopt the safe course," and +that "Speed must always be sacrificed to safety" were seldom observed; +on the contrary, I believe it to be the exception and not the rule, +else the number of accidents resulting from such failure, though many +times what they should be (and as long as men are human we will have +some accidents), would be so much greater in number that people would +be unwilling to travel at all. I believe that in the near future the +number of such cases will be so greatly reduced that the least +thoughtful of us will stand aghast at the record of 1904 and 1905, and +that these fundamental rules and the instructions contained in what +are known as the "Flag Rules" and "Caution Card," will be so strictly +observed and enforced <i>and that blocking of trains by space</i>, not +time, intervals will become so general as to practically eliminate +this class of accidents, which are caused: +</p> + +<p> +By failure to watch for and observe block and other signals. +</p> + +<p> +By trains following each other too closely. +</p> + +<p> +By trains following at too high a rate of speed. +</p> + +<p> +By failure to protect trains stopped on the main track. +</p> + +<p> +By cars not being left in to clear at sidings. +</p> + +<p> +By switches being left wrong. +</p> + +<p> +By lack of caution in time of storm or fog; and +</p> + +<p> +By general carelessness and failure to realize the terrible result +which is bound to follow any lack of care, failure to comply with the +rules and <i>the uncertainty of detection and punishment if such +carelessness and failure to comply with rules does not cause an +accident</i>. +</p> + +<p> +Every man in the train, engine, and switching service ought to have +every requirement of these rules by heart, understand exactly what +they mean, and be ready at any instant, and in any weather, to execute +them to the letter, and no punishment should be too severe for failure +to observe them to the very letter, for on their faithful observance +depend the lives of passengers—it may be some of your own loved +ones—of employees, and the safety of the property entrusted to the +companies for transportation, as well as their own. And yet, if the +instructions contained in the two fundamental rules and those known as +the "Flag Rules" had been observed, none of the following cases and +many others that help fill the records and the daily press would have +happened. It is a standing disgrace that such accidents happen, and +the sooner employees help get the careless and reckless men and the +drones out of the service, as it is your duty to yourself and the +companies to do, the quicker the traveling public, yourselves, the +property in transit, and that belonging to your employer and +yourselves, will be safe and the greater your certainty of getting to +the end of your run to be welcomed by the wife and children awaiting +you. +</p> + +<p> +In this connection I want to suggest to the enginemen that when you +discover a cause for the sending out of a flagman give him a chance to +go back before you get stopped, so that he can cover the required +distance quicker. And as these rules are among the most important, if +not the most important, in the book, I call especial attention to +them. +</p> + +<p> +The following cases will illustrate how much room there is for +improvement in this regard: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Joseph Atkinson, brakeman, injured September 26, at Muggleton. He + was standing on top of way-car in train which stopped just west of + the depot and then started up and ran into side of freight train.</p> + +<p> + Alexander Peabody, engineer, George F. Smivins, fireman, injured + at 10 p.m., October 3, on track 3, near Penryn Ave., Peltonville; + engine No. 784 was backing down track 3, and collided with engine + No. 1891 standing on that track. Instructions require engines + running on this track must run at slow rate of speed, so as to be + able to stop within their vision. The engine was running so fast + that it could not stop, although Engineer Peabody saw engine No. + 1891 when 300 feet distant. +</p> + +<p> + J. L. McPherson, yardmaster, and Jacob Gonorowski, brakeman, + injured at Peeweezle, July 28, were in caboose of extra engine No. + 674, which was stopping for drawbridge, when engine No. 937, + Engineman Isidore Guggenheimer, ran into the rear of train. +</p> + +<p> + Luke M. Peters, engineer, injured April 14 at Aromintap, was in + charge of engine No. 2143, backing around Y, when train No. 31 + backed into extra No. 7326, to which engine No. 2143 was attached. +</p> + +<p> + L. P. Jarvis, engineer, and Samuel Minns, fireman, injured + November 20, at 7:15 a.m., one-half mile east of Peeble's Corners; + engine No. 759 had just backed in on side track with work train, + and switch had not yet been closed; engine No. 1473, train No. 48, + Engineer Tibbits, Conductor Perry, came along at a high rate of + speed, and ran into this open switch just east of the home signal, + colliding with engine No. 759. +</p> + +<p> + February 14, at 8:20 p.m., one mile north of Indianapolis, Ohio + division, extra freight engine, Packard conductor, collided with + Ohio division passenger train No. 11. This freight train had an + order to run from Indianapolis to Cameron as an extra. Indiana + division passenger train 141, due at Indianapolis at 8 p.m., was + 15 minutes late. Conductor Packard of the extra was on station + platform when this train pulled in. He supposed it was Ohio + division No. 11 and so told his engineer, and pulled out and met + No. 11 a mile from the station. Two engineers and one fireman were + killed and five trainmen injured. If Rule 53 requiring conductors + and engineers of trains at meeting points to ascertain by word of + mouth what trains they are had been complied with accident would + have been avoided. +</p> + +<p> + Nov. 5 freight train No. 52 slowed down to take side track at Park + Rapids when extra freight moving in same block, on caution card, + ran into caboose and rear brakeman was killed. If Rules 7, 14 or + 15 had been complied with accident would not have occurred. +</p></div> + +<p> +Rule 12a says: When you get a train order the conductors must read it +aloud and then sign it and show it to the engineman, the rear brakeman +or flagman, and the engineman must show it to the fireman and in case +of freight train to the head brakeman, who are required to read it, +the object being that every employee on the train will know what the +order is and if the engineman or conductor forget it the brakeman or +fireman may remember and by remembering prevent an accident. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +DERAILMENTS +</p> + +<p> +Next come injuries caused by derailments, which generally result from +running into open switches, off derails, too fast running at bad +places in the track, defective equipment or track. Nearly all of the +cases would be avoided by careful running, proper inspection of track +and equipment, and by compliance with the rules. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Oct. 21. 10 a.m. Passenger train 41 derailed near Venice while + running around a reverse curve fifty miles an hour. Engineer + killed; fireman and twenty passengers injured.</p> + +<p> + April 27. Way car jumped track at middle lead switch in Pewaukee + yard and switchman Jno. Williams killed; Jas. Grant and Robert + Riley injured. +</p> + +<p> + Lemuel Izzard and L. Wackles, killed; R. P. Bownes, engineman, + Roderick Bloke, stockman, Robert Castel, fireman, C. Plympton, + brakeman, injured, four miles west of Beadleston, July 24. Train + No. 36 had broken air hose or axle, derailing and throwing third + car from engine onto westbound track just as train No. 98 was + coming. Train No. 98 ran into derailed car and 14 cars of time + freight burned up. Izzard and Wackles were stealing a ride on + train No. 36. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT +</p> + +<p> +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by defects in the +equipment, especially in that of freight cars and engines. They are of +such frequent occurrence as to no longer attract attention, but when +the time comes <i>that the man who inspects reports not to the +foreman, whose duty it is to keep the equipment in repair, but to a +superior, whose duty it is to find defects</i>, there will be a +material reduction in such cases. Train and enginemen should report +defects discovered by them on Form 995 and attach card to truss rod of +car or locomotive tank. And first we will take up those caused by +defective cars: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>J. I. Smindorf, brakeman, killed at Snook's Junction, by falling + from car, September 8, at 7:40 p.m. The running board was rotten + and full of holes; the brake at the north end of the car would not + hold on account of having a loose ratchet wheel.</p> + +<p> + P. L. Merritt, conductor, injured at Pencost, November 12, was + climbing down side of car; screw pulled out of top handhold, + allowing Merritt to fall to the ground, striking on a rail. +</p> + +<p> + Randolph Smuck, brakeman, injured at Parrott, April 3, was going + down side car; stirrup was gone and he fell to the ground. +</p> + +<p> + Matthew Brummage, switchman, injured January 4, at Keewahtah, was + riding on car which was being switched; he tightened the brake, + but the dog was in bad order and he had to hold brake with his + hand. There was two inches of slack on the bottom brake rod, the + chain slipped, and he was thrown from the car and his left foot + run over. +</p></div> + +<p> +How many of the accidents caused by defective running boards, +handholds, ladders and brakes would have been avoided had Rules 25, +26, and 28, requiring trainmen to examine cars, brakes, and ladders +and to set out bad order cars been complied with, I leave you to +guess. And why when such defects are discovered by train and yard men +they do not report them to the next crew taking the car, so as to +prevent any of the latter being injured, I never could understand. +</p> + +<p> +One cause of the great increase in accidents by trains breaking in two +and by defective couplers is probably on account of the fact that many +of the automatic couplers are commencing to wear out and are not +repaired or renewed promptly enough, and, also, because the levers and +chains of the coupling apparatus do not receive sufficient attention. +Another reason is because of the unnecessarily hard usage given the +couplers, especially in the yards where trains are made up. Just why +an appliance to save life and limb should be abused by the employees, +for whose benefit it was put on the cars and engines, is one of the +things which it would take a mind-reader to answer. But the truth of +the matter is, as every experienced adjuster knows, that the automatic +coupler has cost the railroads for equipment and freight damaged many +times over what it cost them to settle claims for personal injuries +caused by the old link and pin coupler; and when the brotherhoods take +up such matters as this and try to remedy them, they will not have so +many crippled members drawing insurance for permanent disabilities, +which would have been avoided by the proper handling of cars. +</p> + +<p> +Another class of injuries which has come with the safety appliance is +that caused by the bursting of air hose, and it is surprising how many +of them there are. +</p> + +<p> +Some day a man will get up a hose which won't burst, or which will +give notice of its intention so to do, and we will all rise up and +bless him. The following are samples taken from a job lot of such +cases: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>G. A. Graham, conductor, injured June 4, three-quarters of a mile + north of Bogle; caused by air hose on car bursting, causing Graham + to fall against stove in way-car.</p> + +<p> + K. L. Grobbet, brakeman, injured one mile north of Brandon; caused + by the air hose bursting, throwing on emergency brakes. This man, + who was in front end of way-car, was thrown to the ground. +</p></div> + +<p> +Now let us see the result to persons by reason of improper loading of +cars: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>R. Puddles, switchman, injured at Grammaton, March 4, was hanging + on side of car loaded with lumber, engineman shut off suddenly, + and when car stopped the lumber slid and caught his hand between + lumber and stake on car. Lumber was loaded in two piles 16 ft. + lengths, leaving a space of about six or eight inches between the + piles.</p> + +<p> + George Brownell, brakeman, injured July 17, one and one-half miles + south of Cranton. At Cranton train extra, picked up a car loaded + with logs; two stake pockets broke; logs fell under way-car, which + tipped over. +</p></div> + +<p> +And it is just as important to properly unload packages of newspapers +and mail from moving trains, and to exercise a little care in throwing +coal from engines, as it is to see that freight is securely loaded. +The number of accidents caused in this way since the running of the +fast mail and newspaper trains commenced would fill a book and could +all have been avoided by the exercise of that care which employees or +postal clerks would have exercised if they, instead of the company, +had to foot the bills caused by their carelessness. To me, it seems +not a difficult or unreasonable precaution to look, before you throw +out a heavy bag of mail or half a dozen packages of newspapers, to see +that no one will be hit by them, and that they could and should be +dropped just beyond the far end of the station platform, but never in +a street or public highway; and don't throw your clinker bars or ash +bars off engines, or anything else for that matter, without looking to +see if anyone is passing and when through with them put them in a safe +place so they won't project and strike anyone on the next track or +fall off and injure someone. If this had been done cases like the +following would not have happened: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Henry Forbes, roadmaster, injured November 3, at Marionette, was + walking west on station platform, when mail sack was thrown from + train struck him on the legs and knocked him down.</p> + +<p> + Paul Rhelips, injured at Dragitt, May 15, at 5:30 p.m.; caused by + his being struck with a block of hard wood which was tied to a + letter thrown from train by the baggageman, while passing through + the station at 45 miles per hour. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ENGINES +</p> + +<p> +During the last two years there has been an epidemic of accidents +caused by defective grate-shaking rigging and defective shoveling +sheets on engines, especially of the former. A few years ago they were +practically unknown. Now they come so often as to create no remark. +The following cases will demonstrate the necessity either of some +different apparatus for shaking grates of engines, of greater care in +using the apparatus, or of some better method of inspection and repair: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>A. G. Kenly, fireman, injured near Windermere; caused by the + shovel which he was using catching on the shoveling sheet of + engine No. 418.</p> + +<p> + James Cooney, fireman, injured June 19, in Caster yard, was + shaking grates on engine No. 917, and connecting rod broke, + catching his hand between shaker rod and quadrant. +</p> + +<p> + H. D. Porter, fireman, injured near Mansfield, May 10; caused by + grate rod breaking as he was shaking the grates on engine No. 1280. +</p></div> + +<p> +Next we come to a class of accidents which is also on the increase and +which is of comparatively recent origin, and which, I believe, could +and should be absolutely prevented by the exercise of a little +mechanical ingenuity or which, even under present conditions of engine +construction, would be avoided by greater care on the part of the +engineman. And some day when an injector breaks or a blow-off cock is +opened as some mechanical superintendent is passing an engine, and his +legs are scalded, I will bet my next month's salary against an 1899 +bird nest that they will find a way to prevent such injuries, which +are as painful as they are unnecessary and expensive, either by +putting the blow-off cocks under or on top of the engines, instead of +having them project from the side. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>W. P. Willard, engineman, injured July 22, 4 miles west of + Janesville; injector on engine No. 4618 broke, and Willard was + scalded about face and head.</p> + +<p> + Henry Jennings, conductor, injured October 1, at 5:55 p.m., north + of Rathburn; was walking by engine, engineman started the injector + and threw hot water on Jennings. +</p> + +<p> + Edward Sterns, night engine inspector, injured at Granby + roundhouse, January 12, at 8:45 p.m.; he told engine dispatcher to + open valve to see if sand was running properly; dispatcher opened + the blow-off cock instead of sand valve, and steam and hot water + scalded Sterns' right hand and leg. +</p></div> + +<p> +Every year a number of accidents occur to employees caused by defects +in engines and appliances furnished enginemen, nearly all of which +could and should be avoided if there was a more thorough inspection, +greater care taken in repairs and, what is just as necessary, more +care taken by enginemen in reporting defects; and when you report +defects, and repairs are not made, call the attention of your master +mechanic or division roundhouse foreman to the matter and I doubt not +that not only will the defects be repaired but greater pains will be +taken in the future to see that your engine is kept in good condition. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>William Curbin, stripper, injured at Elmwood shops on the 10th of + March, was taking boiler front off engine No. 3461; removed all + bolts except one, and while waiting for crane to be attached to + the door to lift it away, the door fell on Curbin's leg, who was + standing on the pilot beam of engine. Investigation showed that + the bolt which had not been removed, and which had been left to + hold door, was a "dummy."</p> + +<p> + G. M. Cramer, fireman, injured, September 9, at Huntingdon, was + climbing up on cab of engine No. 784, to get coal chute down, when + brake released, and on account of leaky throttle, engine started + back, and caught his leg between cab of engine and chute. +</p> + +<p> + J. B. Olsen, fireman, overcome by heat on engine No. 941; caused + by absence of lagging on side of engine. +</p> + +<p> + M. H. Woodrow, engineman, and Douglas Evans, fireman, injured half + mile east of Peverly, June 19, caused by whistle valve on engine + No. 2605 becoming stuck, they being unable to fix it, and they + were almost deafened by the continuous whistling. Whistle had been + reported on the trip before by the engineman, but was not + repaired. +</p> + +<p> + Henry Winterson, a boiler washer, injured on May 15, at Kendrick, + was using a 4-ft. nozzle to wash out boiler of an engine, when the + collar of nozzle came off, and he was thrown against cab of + engine, injuring his back. +</p></div> + +<p> +The thought has often occurred to me that if the master mechanic or +some one other than the foreman, whose duty it is to inspect and +repair, would check up the work slips Form No. 141 and inspection +records to see that the repairs called for on them were made, we would +not have so many engine failures or accidents of this kind. +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving the subject of engines I want to say a few words about +accidents caused by the breaking of lubricator glasses and water +gauges; they grow more frequent every year and until somebody invents +something to take the place of glass—possibly the celluloid glass now +used on automobiles may be available—which will not burst, as you +value your eyesight, which becomes more necessary every day as the +number, speed of trains, and signals increase, carry the shields, +which the company has provided for your, not its, protection, over the +glass, not in your seat box as many enginemen do now, and then when +the glass breaks, and no one can tell when it will do so, there is +little danger of your vision being impaired or lost by your eyes being +struck by flying particles of glass. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +DEFECTIVE SCAFFOLDS, DERRICKS, ETC. +</p> + +<p> +Accidents caused by use of defective derricks, scaffolds, and the +careless handling of derricks are comparatively new and are one of the +recent surprises in the business. I venture to say that the companies +have paid out during the last 18 months in the investigation and +settlement of accidents caused by defective scaffolds enough money, +not only to furnish the most approved scaffold now known, but to +nickel plate them as well. The following cases will show what is going +on in this way: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>R. B. Babcock, bridgeman, injured at Ferncliff, a mile and a half + north of Whiteston, Jan. 14, while standing near derrick mast, + which was being raised and put in position on abutment; the mast + suddenly slipped, and knocked this man off the abutment to + concrete foundation 34 feet below, breaking his leg in two places + and his arm, and bruising his hip.</p> + +<p> + H. R. Roberts, bridgeman, killed near Red Creek, March 4, at 11 + a.m.; derrick car in rounding curve an attempt was made to swing + the boom of derrick to outside of curve, but it suddenly swung + over to the other side of car and tipped the derrick car over; + Roberts was standing on front end of car and jumped, falling back + onto the track, and the derrick tender, which did not leave the + track, ran over him. A 2×4 cleat, nailed on side of mast to hold + sling-lines in place came off, allowing ropes, which control + swinging of boom, to slacken so that movement of boom could not be + controlled. +</p> + +<p> + B. H. Jackson, seriously injured at Leicester, Dec. 30; caused by + the plank on which he was standing, used for scaffolding, slipping + out of the hooks, on account of its being covered with ice and + snow, and allowing him to fall 15 ft. to the ground. +</p></div> + +<p> +Within the last few years injuries caused by defective jacks and drop +cables, which, when I commenced to investigate accidents, were +unknown, have become very frequent. I mention the following to show +what they are. All of them would have been prevented by proper +inspection—not by inspections made to find things O.K., but by +inspections made to find defects; and if not made for that purpose +they had better be discontinued. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>L. M. Lumpkins, section foreman, injured Feb. 20, at Graves; he + was helping car repairer, and had jacked up a car in order to move + the trucks, but when ready to let the car down the jack would not + work, and all at once gave way, and Lumpkins was struck on the + head by the lever and knocked down, injuring him.</p> + +<p> + R. J. Hopkins, laborer, injured June 22, at Osazi, was giving + signals to have train, loaded with ties, moved, when cable broke + and hit him in the face. +</p></div> + +<p> +In the same category, while perhaps not of the same class, come +accidents at coal chutes and water tanks, roundhouses, stations, and +other places. Had inspectors, repairmen and employees using the +appliances, done as they would have done if the loss occasioned by +neglect was to be theirs, none of the following accidents would have +happened: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Will Flanigan, cinder pitman, injured May 21, at Cranby shops, was + raising cinder bucket with hoist; chain broke, and the bucket fell + on his foot.</p> + +<p> + Frank Hogan, fireman, injured in Colby yard, March 16; had just + finished coaling engine and pushed up lever to shut off the coal, + when the pulley, over which cable works, dropped and struck him on + the head. +</p> + +<p> + W. R. Brady, fireman, injured at Quarton, June 1; was standing on + tank of engine to take water; rope was frozen and coiled up and he + could not reach it; got the ash hoe and caught the rope and pulled + the spout down; when it was part way down it fell and struck Brady + in the back. +</p> + +<p> + D. W. Dalmann, operator and leverman, injured Aug. 12, at Hampton; + was in interlocking plant throwing distant signal, when chain + connecting lever with counterbalance weight broke and he was + thrown to the floor. +</p> + +<p> + Stanley Lord, freight brakeman, injured at Rembrandt, May 20; was + unloading freight from a car; the skid which was being used was + broken off at one end, causing it to slip, and allowing Lord and + the boxes to fall to the ground, injuring Lord. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FLOORS, PLATFORMS, ETC. +</p> + +<p> +Another class of accidents which might also be avoided is that caused +by defective floors and platforms in roundhouses and at stations, the +failure to keep tools in repair, lack of light, and failure to +properly secure lights on switches. While, fortunately, they are not +so great in number, yet they go to swell the total, as well as the +expense, and ought to be cut out, as they could be with proper care +and supervision. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>L. N. Corbey, brakeman, injured at Calton, Nov. 28; went into coal + shed to get coal for caboose. In coming out he stepped on a broken + board in the floor of coal shed and sprained his left knee and + left hand.</p> + +<p> + H. L. Minturn, injured at Acworth, Jan. 16, while running to throw + a switch, he ran into a three-throw switch upon which there was no + light. +</p> + +<p> + Jacob Paley, boiler-maker helper, injured July 11, at Hinsdale; + was striking punch knocking out rivet; the punch came off the + handle and struck him in the eye. +</p> + +<p> + A. D. Yarrow, injured April 3, at Alberon, while throwing switch + near roundhouse, the switch light fell and struck him on the head. +</p> + +<p> + Albert Kaufmann, machinist helper, injured July 6, at Hamburg; was + in roundhouse working near dynamo belt, which became unlaced and + loose end of belt came round and struck him on the left arm. +</p></div> + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY OBSTRUCTIONS +</p> + +<p> +Next in order, I wish to call your attention to accidents caused by +overhead obstructions, drawbars, lumber, poles, cinders, and other +obstructions left too near the rail, holes and trenches left +uncovered, and failure to block guard-rails and frogs, etc. Everybody +is or should be familiar with Rules 45 and 49, which require blocking +of frogs and guard-rails and a clear space of six feet from the rail, +and yet one would sometimes think, from the appearance of some yards, +side tracks and switches, that the rules, like the midnight closing +ordinance, were dead letters. It, however, is the intention and desire +of the managements that they, like all other rules, should be +enforced, and no one is so much interested in that enforcement as the +train and yard men, who work in the yards and on side tracks and +switches. If they had been observed, or if their non-observance had +been reported by the men who must have known of their violation, none +of the following accidents would have occurred: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>P. B. Montgomery, brakeman, fatally injured at Mason, while + attempting to uncouple car G., P. & A. No. 593 from O., M. & C. + No. 1783; chain on pin being broken; blocking gone from + guard-rail.</p> + +<p> + John Lenahan, switchman, killed at Juniper, June 4; footboard of + switch engine on which he was riding struck a telephone pole lying + in the grass alongside the track, throwing Lenahan under the + engine. +</p> + +<p> + P. D. Kendrick, brakeman, injured at Bentley, Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.; + was riding on the side of a box car, when he was struck by a spike + sticking in a board, which was part of the fence around the cellar + which was being excavated for the new depot at Bentley. It was + necessary to amputate two fingers of Kendrick's right hand, his + right leg, and he also received a very bad scalp wound. +</p> + +<p> + Peter Alton, brakeman, was climbing up the side of A., B. & C. car + No. 2843, at Hackley, when he was struck and knocked off the car + by a highway crossing sign at that place, and so badly injured + that it was necessary to amputate both his legs below the knee, + and his right shoulder blade was also broken. This crossing sign + cleared this car only 2 ft. +</p> + +<p> + K. G. Purdy, switchman, killed in Walton yards, Dec. 10; caused by + his being knocked off the top of a car by the Avery Street viaduct + and run over and killed. +</p></div> + +<p> +I want to call especial attention to the Alton, Montgomery, Purdy and +Kendrick cases. In the former the crossing sign had been in the same +place for over 20 years. The man who put it there, roadmasters, and +section foremen, who should have discovered its dangerous proximity to +the track and moved it to a safe distance, the one required by Rule +49, were grossly careless, and the injured man and other trainmen who +had passed it daily for years must have discovered that it was too +close to the track, and if they had reported it, as they should have +done, this accident would not have happened, and they were blamable +for not doing so. In the Montgomery case the section foreman was at +fault for not properly blocking the frog, as required by Rule 45, the +roadmaster for not seeing it was done, and the car inspector and +repairer for not discovering that the coupling apparatus was defective +and repairing it. In the Purdy case the management was at fault for +not seeing that warning whips were up for the viaduct—they are now; +and in the Kendrick case the man who hung up the lamp too close to the +track to warn people, instead of making it a protection, increased the +danger, and the division engineer who allowed it to be done was +inexcusably careless. Such cases not only swell the total number, but +account in a large measure for the total increase in personal injury +accounts of the railroads. +</p> + +<p> +Section foremen do not seem to realize the importance of examining the +whip guards for overhead obstructions every time they pass them to see +that they are in proper position and if not, pull them down with the +hook provided for that purpose. If the roadmasters would be more +particular to see that this is done we would have fewer accidents of +this kind in the future. +</p> + +<p> +And in removing hand cars in yards, place them far enough away from +the rails so that a man riding on the side of a freight car won't be +struck by them, as happened to +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>A. T. Swanson, brakeman, injured at Tracy, Aug. 30; he was hanging + on the side of a car, and was struck by the handle of a hand car, + which had been left too near to clear a man on a car.</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS OF ENGINEMEN +</p> + +<p> +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by carelessness +of enginemen which should not have happened and with proper care and +thoughtfulness will not occur in the future: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>George Bowman, engineman, killed at Holstein, on Sept. 9; caused + by engine running off the track, this being the end of the road, + and the first time Bowman or any of the crew on the train, other + than one brakeman, had been over the line. A section foreman, who + was sent along as pilot, claims to have told Bowman when he came + to the Y, north of the depot, but Bowman paid no attention to the + warning, and made no effort to stop. This engineman had been on + duty for 14 hours when he got to Creever, at about 12 o'clock + midnight, and asked for 8 hours' sleep, but was sent out again in + four hours and a half.</p> + +<p> + Michael O'Neill, turntable man, injured Oct 17, at Patten; he was + pushing turntable with engine on it, and while doing so engine ran + off before he got it to the stall where it was to go in; struck + him on left shoulder. +</p> + +<p> + Ralph Burnham, rear brakeman, train No. 55, seriously injured at + Bradley, night of Dec. 21, by being caught between the tender of + engine No. 641 and the mail car. This man was standing on east + side of track and started to cross over to the west side to help + couple the air, steam hose and whistle. He knew the engine was + coming back, but owing to the amount of steam escaping from it did + not realize it was so close, and before he could get over was + caught. The steam was escaping from the steam hose at the back of + the tender. It is customary for some engineers to have this steam + blowing off as they are backing up to make couplings; others shut + off the steam, as when it is blowing off it is almost impossible + for the brakeman to see. Why should not all enginemen shut it off? +</p></div> + +<p> +In a double track district, if you are running on the wrong track and +there are any section men working on the track or employees or others +walking or running on the track, you should act upon the theory that +even if they know you are coming they will think you are on the track +usually occupied, and until you know that they actually understand the +conditions you must be prepared to stop in time to prevent injuring +them. And if two trains are passing on the double track and there is +anyone around, don't let it be your fault that an injury occurs +because ample warning was not given of the approach of two trains +instead of one. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>John Cooper, section laborer, struck and killed by engine No. + 1564, April 16, at 9:00 a.m., near Steuben, while working on the + track, cleaning the crossing, engine was running on south-bound + track. Although running on the wrong track, engineman is unable to + say whether or not he whistled for the crossing. No one on the + engine saw the man.</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MOVING CARS ON OR UNDER WHICH MEN ARE WORKING +</p> + +<p> +Injuries caused by the moving of cars being iced or on or under which +men are working seem to me of a class so inexcusable as to merit the +discharge of the party at fault. Think how you would feel if you or +your boy was under, on, or in, a car with a flag out and someone moved +the car without notice and you or he was run over. The following are a +few such cases: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>Philip Elder, car cleaner, injured at Armstrong, July 5; caused by + train being moved by switch engine while he was on the ladder + filling the water cooler.</p> + +<p> + Patrick Connelly, car repairer, injured Nov. 29, at Falesburg, was + under end of car on repair track; Switchman Moody backed train No. + 27 on No. 5 track, and cars did not clear coach No. 368; it struck + the car under which Connelly was working, moving it about 10 ft. + and dragging Connelly, who caught hold of brake-beam. Flag out as + required by Rule 1. +</p> + +<p> + A. F. Brown, car cleaner, injured at Perryville yards, May 3, at + 10:00 a.m., was working in smoker No. 762; engine No. 37 coupled + onto the car and pushed it down track and it collided with some + other cars, knocking this woman down. No switchman riding on the + car at the time of the accident. +</p></div> + +<p> +Injuries caused by carelessness in throwing switches and derails we +all know ought not to occur, and yet they are of frequent occurrence. +The following are samples. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>G. M. Claney, engineman; Alfred Dolan, fireman; injured about 10 + a.m., June 4, at Peronia; after going in on side track to get some + cars, got signal from brakeman to come ahead. Brakeman failed to + throw derailing switch, and while going to main line engine left + the track, went down embankment, and turned over.</p> + +<p> + Richard Jones, brakeman, injured May 7, at Nelson. Foreman Brinson + told him to cut off two cars and ride them out onto main line, and + after he had started the foreman noticed an engine coming up the + main line, and threw switch for side track, the cars collided and + he was thrown down in car. +</p></div> + + +<p class="head"> +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY KICKING CABOOSES +</p> + +<p> +Accidents caused by kicking caboose cars in which men are resting are +of altogether too frequent occurrence, and are as inexcusable as they +are frequent. Rule No. 10 should, I think, prohibit the practice, as +it does of moving cars containing passengers unless coupled to the +engine and air-brakes in use. Had this been done, the following cases +would not have happened: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>K. M. Simpson, brakeman, injured Dec. 12, at Albion, was in + way-car cleaning ashes out of stove, when the way-car was struck + by another car kicked onto it by switchman, throwing him against + end of car.</p> + +<p> + Paul O'Connor and E. Putnam, brakemen, injured Feb. 22, at + Dodworths, were asleep in caboose No. 1473, on caboose track. + Switch engine went in and got caboose and kicked it out on lead. + It did not clear the switch track, and as other cars were kicked + back on caboose track it was struck by them throwing these men to + the floor. +</p></div> + +<p> +Indeed, I believe that if the practice of kicking freight cars in +yards and at stations was prohibited the saving in the cost of repairs +of equipment and for damage to contents of cars would be greater than +the increase in pay-roll caused by necessary increase in the number of +men in the crews. +</p> + +<p> +Speaking of accidents of this kind brings to mind those resulting from +careless handling of boarding cars, which are now so common during the +summer season. We all know the class of people who inhabit boarding +cars, how little they appreciate the danger, that they are on the +sides, top, under, and in the cars. So handle them, not as some +brakemen do egg cases, but carefully; never move the cars without +going to see that no one is under them cooking his dinner, that the +occupants of cars are all in a place of safety, and never make a fly +or kick with them, always have the engine coupled up, and don't +uncouple it until the car has got to the place it is to be left. +Roadmasters and foremen should see that the opening for ingress and +egress from the cars is on the side away from the traffic. The switch +to the track on which the cars stand should be locked and the key in +the foreman's pocket, or else a rail taken up so that no one can get +in on the track without notice. If you run across any cases where this +is not done, report them before, not after, some one is hurt. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +MOTOR AND HAND CAR ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES TO SECTION MEN +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving the subject of injuries to employees caused by the +carelessness of other employees, I want to mention some motor and +hand car accidents and injuries to section men caused by the use of +defective cars, by fast running, overloading, and by failure to comply +with the rules. Why men on motor cars and hand cars coming in from +work want to run faster than is safe (they never do it on the way +out), why they should overload, use defective cars, run closer +together than 300 feet, be out after dark without a light, leave their +cars on the highways to obstruct the same and frighten horses, +contrary to Rules 46, 47, and 48, we may perhaps guess. And yet we can +see no good reason for failure to comply with the rules which are made +for their own protection, as well as that of the company, and if more +careful instructions were given them by the roadmasters and more +supervision exercised, many of the accidents mentioned below would not +have happened. And on account of the class of men now employed on the +track, such instruction and supervision is more necessary than ever, +as the records show that we have many more such cases in proportion to +the mileage and business than we did a few years ago. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>G. Botticelli, laborer, injured March 23, south of Yerkesville, + was riding on the front end of hand car, which was being followed + by another hand car; section foreman signaled to the rear car not + to come too close to first car, signal was not heeded and the + second car ran into the first, derailing it.</p> + +<p> + H. P. Dennis, laborer, injured May 28, west of Orion; caused by + the handle of a hand car breaking. +</p> + +<p> + N. R. Forbes, injured near Larkin, June 24, with four other men, + was riding on a hand car going home from work. While going down + grade, trying to get to station before train pulled out, car + jumped track, all the men were thrown off, and Forbes injured. +</p></div> + +<p> +In passing over highway crossings, especially in cities and in running +past stations, hand and motor cars should be so run that the man in +charge could stop the car in its own length. +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THEIR OWN CARELESSNESS +</p> + +<p> +Lastly, I shall call your attention to a few of the accidents in which +employees are injured by their own carelessness, thoughtlessness or +recklessness, and frequently it is the latter. If we could eliminate +them and one-half of those caused by the carelessness of other +employees much of the unfavorable criticism of railroads would cease, +as the cause would no longer exist. +</p> + +<p> +We will take up some of the most common accidents of this class, +caused by coupling cars, getting on or off, or falling from, trains or +engines, moving or standing. The following cases will serve to +illustrate how frequently unnecessary chances are taken and the +result. +</p> + +<p> +Can anyone imagine a reason why a man of common sense who is old +enough to be out of school should stand on a footboard and when the +couplers are almost together put his hand in between them to pull them +over or try to kick them over with his foot, walk backwards, contrary +to Rule 51, between the rails fixing a Jenney to get ready to couple, +instead of stopping the car or engine and getting the coupler in +position; why they should stand in the middle of the track and wait +for an approaching engine or car to reach them and then step onto the +footboard or brake-beam, when they could just as well get on the side +or other end, and do it with safety; why men jump on an engine pilot, +which Rule 33 prohibits, or on a moving car to ride a few feet to a +switch, when the same is going so fast as to make it dangerous, unless +they want to show how expert they are; why they should get off moving +cars or engines under the same circumstances; why a man should not get +off a standing car or engine without getting hurt; undertake to climb +from car to car when unnecessary; cross the track in front of moving +cars or engines, when they are so close to them that to the +uninitiated it looks like suicide; or cross between cars, when they +could just as well climb over? But rather than take the time, which +the company pays for, they take the chances, and then if they get +across, like the man who drove over in front of the engine at the last +highway crossing and waited on the other side to see the train go by, +they wait until the tail end comes along and get on there, but if they +get caught blame the engineman for coming too fast, or the company for +not having the track nickel plated, or for having a handhold in the +wrong place. +</p> + +<p> +Why they should allow themselves to be struck frequently in broad +daylight by overhead obstructions, for which tell-tales are erected to +warn them; by building close to the track, with the location of which +they are familiar. Yet rather than work their gray matter a little, +they get hurt. Why a man sent out to look after broken rails or +defects in the track shouldn't watch for trains from both directions +or take the trouble to ascertain before starting whether trains are on +time. And yet we all know that just such chances are taken every day +with results shown in the following cases, which are such as happen +all the time; the only reason or excuse that can be given for them, +that I can imagine, is, that the men injured never should have been +employed; that instead of being employed on trains and engines and +drawing—not earning—more pay than principals of schools, and +frequently than school superintendents, they should be working in a +barn or shoveling dirt instead of on a railroad, where their +recklessness, carelessness, and failure to realize the dangers of the +business and the necessity of complying with the rules and taking no +unnecessary chances, not only endanger their own lives, but those of +others. They are of the same class that the railroad organizations, +for the protection of their desirable membership, ought to help get +out of the service, not try to keep in until someone is seriously +injured or killed, and then complain and say the company is liable +because they kept such a grossly careless, incompetent man in the +service; and if you will think for a minute, you will know that none +of the careful, forehanded men—the men who own homes and have a +little money in the bank—are in this class. +</p> + +<p> +I will first refer you to some cases caused in coupling cars, and by +getting on and off cars, of which the following are fair samples, each +of which not only could but should have been avoided by the exercise +of a little common sense by the injured person: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>G. L. Penston, collector, injured at Wanley, May 10; went in to + uncouple hose after getting train onto track; did not tell anyone + he was going in between the cars; other cars were switched onto + train and his head was caught between the cars.</p> + +<p> + Henry Kendrick, switchman, injured at Mertonville, March 13; was + standing on front footboard of engine, which was about to couple + onto a car; draw-bar on engine was too far to one side to make the + coupling and Kendrick attempted to kick it over with his foot, but + missed it and his foot was caught and crushed. +</p> + +<p> + M. T. Bowers, fireman, Fairmill, Jan. 6, was trying to jump from + the running board of engine to footboard, when he fell and was + injured. +</p> + +<p> + L. B. Gorky, conductor, Panitoca, Aug. 14; was standing on top of + car, gave engineer a stop signal, and when slack came back, fell + off car. +</p> + +<p> + P. F. Newton, conductor, injured Oct. 3, at Durham; got off head + end of train, and tried to get on way-car as it came along, and + was thrown to the ground and badly injured. Train was moving about + 15 miles an hour. +</p></div> + +<p> +Then comes the class of injuries caused by crossing between or going +between moving cars or in front of moving cars or engines, and those +caused frequently in broad daylight by obstructions with the location +of which employees are perfectly familiar, but fail to take any care +to avoid, such as the following: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>H. M. Tupper, switchman, injured at Murferton, March 21, ran ahead + of moving car to throw switch; after throwing the switch he + attempted to cross the track again ahead of the car, was struck + and badly injured.</p> + +<p> + David Spurton, switchman, Olivia, Dec. 12; while hanging on side + of car, was caught between car and viaduct, and severely injured. +</p> + +<p> + L. Q. Lafflin, switchman, Rutherville, Oct. 4; was sitting on top + of car riding backward his head struck viaduct, and he was knocked + off and injured. +</p></div> + +<p> +Among other classes, altogether too frequent, as well as unnecessary, +are those caused by leaving cars too near a switch to clear a man on a +car on the next track; by going under cars to repair them, or under +engines to clean the fires, without putting out a flag; by cutting +steam hose without first knowing the steam is turned off. +</p> + +<p> +Now why a man switching cars will not take the trouble to put them far +enough in on the track to clear himself riding the next cut in on the +adjacent track, or why a man will go under an engine or car to repair +it or for any other purpose, without protecting himself from injury by +putting out a flag as required by Rule I, passes my understanding. +Whenever you find the rule disregarded, report it, so that it will not +happen with the same man in the future; why a man should undertake to +cut the steam hose before he knows the steam has been turned off, the +devil himself could not tell, and yet the following cases would seem +to show that a man with a big stick is needed on the railroads as well +as elsewhere. +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>William Jacobson, switchman, injured at Delavia, May 19; he left + caboose on side track too near the lead, and then rode some cars + down the lead, and was struck by the caboose.</p> + +<p> + H. J. Calpine, car repairer, killed at Mestigo, June 3; was under + car making repairs; did not put out flag or tell anyone that he + was going under the car; the car was moved and he was killed. +</p> + +<p> + J. P. Alton, switchman, injured at Wolton, July 13; cut hose + between sleeper and coach and failed to turn steam shut-off cocks; + was badly burned by steam. +</p></div> + +<p> +And lastly I will refer to a few cases of injuries which cannot well +be classified, so we will say from other causes. They are a +miscellaneous lot, none of which ought to have happened, or indeed +would have happened if the first rule of nature, self-preservation, +had been observed. But I will give you several examples: +</p> + +<div class="blockquote"><p>A F. Ford, brakeman, injured at Lenopa, Sept. 3; hanging on side + of stock car instead of ladder, cow kicked him and broke his + wrist.</p> + +<p> + B. L. Pomeroy, brakeman, fatally injured at Schuyler, Oct 29; in + attempting to oil a hot box while train was running, he fell under + the wheels. +</p> + +<p> + John Leveridge, fireman, injured at Worthington, May 8; passing + through town, waved hand at trainmen standing on side track, + struck mail crane, and injured his arm. +</p> + +<p> + Richard Manville, switchman, injured at Poulsville, June 17; stood + on top of car giving signals and when slack ran out fell off of + car; left leg broken. +</p> + +<p> + K. T. Morrison, brakeman, Homerton, April 26; went back along the + track, to flag his train, went to sleep on track, was struck and + killed by another train. +</p></div> + + + + +<p class="chapter"> +Prevention +</p> + + +<p class="head"> +SUGGESTIONS +</p> + +<p> +And so I might go on detailing the various accidents that have +occurred from the carelessness of employees, but I believe I have +enumerated enough of them to illustrate the point I wish to make; that +is, the employee is too careless, thoughtless and negligent; and I +hope also to demonstrate that the larger part of them could be avoided +and that a united effort should be made by all to prevent them in the +future. It does not require any argument to prove that the many +accidents occurring every day, and the resulting injuries and +destruction of property, ought to be reduced, and that, if the rules +were complied with and proper care and supervision exercised in +transacting the business of the companies, their number and consequent +money loss would be materially reduced; and it is up to the employees +to do their share to bring about this necessary result. Railroads that +advertise that they have the best of everything—including men—that +have spent not thousands but millions for safety devices and +appliances, as many of the lines have, ought to be able to make a +better record; and I believe when the employees really understand the +matter such roads will be where they belong—at the head of the +procession, not only so far as freedom from accident is concerned, but +in everything else. +</p> + +<p> +Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the Common Law of England, said +that the great beauty of the common law was that under it "there was +no wrong without a remedy," and so I say that there must be some +remedy which, if properly applied, would prevent the happening of a +large proportion of these casualties; and I suppose that the man who +says there is a wrong or criticises results ought to be able to +suggest some remedy which will sound plausible, even if it is not +practicable. +</p> + +<p> +In addition to the suggestions which I have made in discussing the +different classes of accidents herein mentioned, there are several +others which, in a general way, I submit. +</p> + +<p> +The most necessary thing in securing good results and as few +casualties as possible is to hire good, competent, careful and sober +men to do the work, and when the railroads have bureaus of employment +properly conducted to secure the best men and schools in which to +instruct them as to the rules under which railroads are operated, what +their duties are, and how to perform them, in conjunction with the +physical examination of applicants for employment they will have taken +the most important step to do away with accidents; and when they clear +their roundhouses, repair yards, coal stations, gate houses and all +other branches of the service connected with the transportation of +persons and property of men with whom neither other employees nor the +public can communicate because of their inability to understand or +talk the English language, they will have taken the next one. +</p> + +<p> +When labor organizations and employees generally do what they can to +keep incompetent, careless men out of the service, not in it, and when +they are discovered in some careless act, or cause some accident, and +are discharged or suspended, instead of trying, through the influence +and power of their organization, to have the discharge or suspension +set aside, do all they can to sustain the order of suspension or +discharge, we will not have the list of casualties staring us in the +face that we do now, and the organizations will not have so many +crippled members asking for assistance, and the proportion of +employees killed and injured to the whole number won't be 36 and 80 +per cent respectively. +</p> + +<p> +Employees should read the newspapers, railroad as well as brotherhood, +so that they will get some of the theory of the business to fit them +for a better place. Familiarize yourselves with the advertisements of +the company, train schedules, maps, names of the officers and where +they are located, so that you can answer questions of patrons and +others. Treat everybody politely and decently, as by your conduct and +manners the corporation and management will be judged. Take advantage +of what others have learned by the greatest of all +teachers—<span class="sc">experience</span>. +</p> + +<p> +After getting good competent men we need good track and equipment and +sufficient and intelligent inspection to see that not only the track +and equipment are kept in good repair, but also that the men keep in +good physical and mental condition. +</p> + +<p> +A method of inspection and repair by which the man who inspects will +be required to have some mechanical experience, who can talk and +understand English and comprehend what the result will be if he fails +to discover defects and have them remedied, and who will report, not +to a foreman whose duty it is to repair the defect, but to a superior +whose business it is to find them. This is the sort of inspection +necessary to prevent injury and loss. And when we do this the record +will be different. +</p> + +<p> +Then we want good rules and instructions (the fewer and simpler the +better) telling how the trains shall be run and the business of the +companies conducted, and if it is true that one of the worst evils +from which our country is now suffering is the failure to enforce all +the laws on the statute books, I am afraid the same saying will apply +to the operation of railroads. Too many rules, orders and bulletins +are disregarded by employees, and that disregard not discovered or is +overlooked until some accident occurs. If there are any rules that are +impracticable they should be cancelled, but until they are their +observance by officers and employees should be insisted upon. The +quickest and best way to get a bad rule or law cancelled or repealed +is to enforce it. +</p> + +<p> +And last but not least, we want sufficient and efficient supervision. +Poor Richard, the philosopher, never said a truer thing than that +"<i>The eyes of the master will do more work than both his hands</i>." +And as the business of a railroad increases and grows more complicated +every day, it requires more and better, and not less, supervision. If +the number of employees and the tonnage of trains increase fivefold, +so should the supervision increase, in order that the business be +conducted in accordance with the rules and that safe and economical +operation be secured, and there should always be enough supervision to +obtain this necessary result. +</p> + +<p> +After we get the men, the track, the equipment, rules and supervision, +we should see that all employees know and understand the rules and +their duties and how to perform them. Some day we will have a training +school for this purpose, just as the government has for its soldiers +and sailors, and many municipalities for their police. Employees +should study and familiarize themselves with the time-tables and +rules, the same as they do with their pay schedule—they all +understand that. The rules were made by men who have come from the +ranks, who know from actual experience what the failure to observe +them means to passengers, to yourselves, and the companies, and if you +don't understand them, have someone who does explain them to you until +you know them by heart and exactly what they mean, and when you have +done this, comply with them and things will go better; there will then +be few accidents, suspensions and discharges. +</p> + +<p> +Do the company's business the same as you would your own. If the time +ever comes when you are unwilling to do this, quit. Think before you +act, not afterwards, as then it will be too late. And remember that +other lives, perhaps that some one near and dear to you, may depend +upon your acting and doing immediately, and not to-morrow, the right +thing and in the prescribed way. +</p> + +<p> +Make it your first duty to protect the lives and property entrusted to +your company, as well as the lives of those crossing over its tracks +and those of your fellow employees, then will come to you not only the +knowledge of duty performed, but promotion in position and increase in +salary. That is why your president, general manager, and the whole +push are where they are now, instead of working in the ranks. +</p> + +<p> +Never go out without sufficient rest. Don't try to get in too many +miles or hours for the pay there is in it, as you may get hurt or +killed doing so, or injure some one else. +</p> + +<p> +When an order is given you in writing, or verbally, if you don't +understand it, ascertain exactly what it means before you undertake to +execute it, and if you understand what is wanted, but don't know how +to do the thing, find out from someone who does before, not after, you +have made a mistake, as it will take you less time to learn to do it +right than it will to explain why you did it wrong, and by so doing +you may prevent yourself or someone else getting hurt. +</p> + +<p> +With additional care on your part and that of your fellow workers, +together with more and better supervision, based on the theory that it +is equally as important to see that rules and orders are observed as +it is to issue them, that <span class="sc">men</span> are more important in the +running of a railroad than <i>things</i>, accidents and consequent +losses will, I believe, be reduced one-half. +</p> + + + + +<p class="chapter"> +APPENDIX +</p> + + +<p> +The following operating rules are referred to in the foregoing: +</p> + +<p> +<b>In case of doubt, adopt the safe course.</b> +</p> + +<p> +<b>Speed must always be sacrificed for safety.</b> +</p> + + +<div class="blockquote"><p> + 1. A <i>blue</i> flag by day and a <i>blue</i> light by night, + displayed at one or both ends of an engine, car, or train, + indicates that workmen are under or about it. When thus protected + it must not be coupled to or moved. Workmen will display the + <i>blue</i> signals, and the same workmen are alone authorized to + remove them. Other cars must not be placed on the same track, so + as to intercept the view of the <i>blue</i> signals, without first + notifying the workmen. Train, engine or switchmen going between or + under cars or engines to make repairs, chain up or examination + must protect themselves in the same way by use of red flag or red + light. +</p> + +<p> 2. The engine bell must be rung on approaching the whistling post + at every public road crossing at grade, and kept ringing until the + crossing is passed; and the whistle must be sounded at all + whistling posts, two long and two short blasts.</p> + +<p> + 3. The engine bell must be rung upon approaching and passing + through stations, cities, towns, and villages. +</p> + +<p> + 4. It must be understood that a train is due to arrive at a + station upon its schedule departing time at preceding station. +</p> + +<p> + A train must not leave a station in advance of its schedule + leaving time. +</p> + +<p> + 5. Passenger trains will not exceed twenty-five miles, and freight + trains fifteen miles per hour, passing over interlocking switches. +</p> + +<p> + 6. All regular freight trains, extras, and work extras will pass + into and through all stations and will approach all isolated side + tracks, and also all water tanks and coal sheds with train under + full control, expecting to find trains at such points. Speed must + be reduced; enginemen and trainmen must commence to get their + train under control one mile from all such specified points, so + that under no circumstances whatever shall it be possible for them + to strike any train, car, or engine that may be within the + switches of any regular station, or that may be taking coal or + water at any coal shed or water tank. Trains occupying main track + at stations, as an additional precaution, must protect themselves + as per Rule No. 7. +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + PROTECTION OF TRAINS BY FLAGMEN. +</p> + +<p> + 7. <i>For this purpose flagmen shall have for</i> <span class="sc">day + signals</span> <i>not less than two torpedoes and a red flag.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>For</i> <span class="sc">night signals</span> <i>not less than two torpedoes, + two red fusees, and red and white lanterns.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <span class="sc">Conductors</span> <i>shall see that flagmen have these signals + when they go on duty.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + UNSCHEDULED STOPS. +</p> + +<p> +<i>When any train makes an</i> <span class="sc">unscheduled stop</span> <i>(whether +at a station or between stations, or whether such stop be caused by +accident to the train, or by signal, or in any other way), the train +shall be protected as follows</i>: +</p> + +<p> + <i>a.</i> <i>In the</i> <span class="sc">night-time</span> <i>the flagmen shall + immediately place a lighted</i> <span class="sc">red fusee</span> <i>in center of + track about five hundred feet behind the rear of train.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>He shall then go back as rapidly as possible with</i> + <span class="sc">red</span> <i>and</i> <span class="sc">white lanterns</span> <i>to a point less + than three-fourths of a mile (twenty-four telegraph poles) distant + from rear of train and until he reaches a point where the danger + signal can be seen not less than one-fourth of a mile (eight + telegraph poles) by the engineman of any approaching train. When + the character of the road or weather makes it necessary the + flagman shall go a greater distance with signals, so as to</i> + <span class="sc">insure absolute safety</span>. +</p> + +<p> + <i>b.</i> <i>In the</i> <span class="sc">daytime</span> <i>he shall carry a red + flag and proceed to a like point.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>c.</i> <i>When he reaches such point, whether in the night-time + or daytime, he shall at once place</i> <span class="sc">one torpedo</span> <i>on + the rail on the engineman's side and shall remain at that place + until recalled. If a train approaches he shall flag it and remain + until the train stops.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>d.</i> <i>When recalled, if no train is approaching, he shall + place a</i> <span class="sc">second torpedo</span> <i>on the rail 200 feet nearer + his train and return with all possible dispatch.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + SCHEDULED STOPS LONGER THAN USUAL. +</p> + +<p> + <i>e.</i> <i>When any train makes a</i> <span class="sc">scheduled stop</span> + <i>at any station and occupies the main track</i> <span class="sc">longer than + usual at that station</span>, <i>whether on account of baggage, + passengers, or for any other reason whatever</i>, <span class="sc">the flagman + must protect his train in the same manner</span>. +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + STOPPAGE BY PRECEDING TRAINS. +</p> + +<p> + <i>f.</i> <i>When any train has been stopped by a preceding train + in the manner above mentioned, the flagman of the last train must + protect his train in the same manner.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + PROTECTION OF FRONT END. +</p> + +<p> + <i>g.</i> <i>When it is necessary to protect the front of a train, + it shall be done in the same manner.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + BOTH CONDUCTOR AND FLAGMAN RESPONSIBLE. +</p> + +<p> + <i>h.</i> <i>In all cases above mentioned it shall be the</i> + <span class="sc">first and immediate duty of conductors</span> <i>to see that + flagmen</i> <span class="sc">obey this rule</span>. +</p> + +<p> + <i>i.</i> <i>Both</i> <span class="sc">conductor</span> <i>and</i> + <span class="sc">flagman</span> <i>will be held responsible.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>j.</i> <i>When a flagman goes out, the next brakeman or + baggageman must take his place on the train, as required by + paragraph s.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>k.</i> <i>The engineman on approaching train, on</i> <span class="sc">seeing + flagman's signal</span>, <i>shall immediately indicate it by one + short blast of the whistle, and immediately reduce the speed of + his train and find out the purpose of the signal, and if he does + not hear the second torpedo he will bring his train to a stop.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>l.</i> <i>If the engineman on approaching train sees no signal + (the flagman having been recalled), but</i> <span class="sc">hears the first + torpedo</span>; <i>he shall reduce the speed of his train and + thereafter proceed cautiously, and prepared to stop within vision, + until the track is clear.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>m.</i> <i>On</i> <span class="sc">hearing the second torpedo</span>, <i>the + engineman will know that the flagman has been recalled and + will</i> <span class="sc">proceed cautiously</span>, <i>keeping a sharp lookout + for train ahead and prepared to stop within vision, until he is + notified by signal or otherwise that the track is clear.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>n.</i> <i>If a</i> <span class="sc">fusee</span> <i>is seen, the engineman + shall</i> <span class="sc">not pass</span> <i>it until it is burned out, and + thereafter shall</i> <span class="sc">proceed cautiously</span> <i>and prepared + to stop within vision, until notified by signal or otherwise that + the track is clear.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ctr"> + RECALL OF FLAGMAN. +</p> + +<p> + <i>o.</i> <i>When the whistle is sounded recalling the flagman if + there is not a clear view to the rear for one-fourth of a mile (8 + telegraph poles) the train should be</i> <span class="sc">moved ahead</span> + <i>at a speed of not less than</i> <span class="sc">six miles</span> <i>per hour, + until a point is reached where the track is straight for + one-fourth of a mile in the rear of the train</i>, <span class="sc">always + bearing in mind that the time of the flagman's return is the + period of greatest risk</span>. +</p> + +<p> + <i>p.</i> <i>Should a train for any cause be required to gradually + reduce its speed between stations or at unusual points the + engineman will sound one long and three short blasts of the + whistle, as notice to the conductor to drop off a flagman with the + proper signals to protect rear of train.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>q.</i> <i>In addition to the above protection a red fusee will + be considered an extra precaution, and will be used under + circumstances requiring the same. Should a train, for any cause, + be required to reduce its speed between stations or at unusual + points a red fusee must be lighted and placed upon the track as an + additional protection for following trains, to insure a time limit + between trains of not less than five minutes.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>r.</i> <i>If a train be obliged to back up, a flagman must be + sent back in advance of the rear end of the train, and kept far + enough in advance to insure absolute safety against a collision + with any train that may be approaching.</i> +</p> + +<p> + <i>s.</i> <i>When the flagman goes back to protect the rear of his + train, the head brakeman or baggageman must, in the case of + passenger trains, and the next brakeman in the case of other + trains, take his place on the train.</i> +</p> + +<p> + 8. When cars are pushed by an engine (except when shifting and + making up trains in yards), a flagman must occupy a conspicuous + position on the front of the leading car and signal the engineman + in case of need. +</p> + +<p> + If such signal cannot be seen by the engineman or fireman, the + engineman will bring the train to a stop immediately, and not + proceed till signal is visible. +</p> + +<p> + 9. When switching is being done over highway or street railway + crossings by yard or trainmen, a man must be stationed at that + crossing to act as flagman. +</p> + +<p> + 10. Cars must not be moved over highway crossings or in front of + passenger stations detached from engine, other than at terminals, + where express authority has been given so to do by the division + superintendent. Cars containing passengers must not be switched + unless coupled to the engine and air-brake in use. +</p> + +<p> + 11. In approaching a station where a passenger train is due or + past due, and where the view is not clear, trains must be under + perfect control, so that they may be stopped, if necessary, before + reaching station. Trains on the double track must not, under any + circumstances, pull into a station at which a passenger train in + the opposite direction is standing or into which it is pulling to + receive or discharge passengers, until such train has started up + and the rear coach thereof has passed the end of the station + platform nearest the approaching train, excepting where tracks are + divided by fences. When two trains are nearing a station from + opposite directions at the same time and only one of them is + scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed to + let the other through the station before it arrives. When two + trains going in opposite directions arrive at a station and both + are scheduled to stop, the inferior train will not pull up to + platform until superior train has departed. At stations on single + track, all trains will reduce to a speed of four miles per hour in + passing a point where a passenger train is receiving or + discharging passengers, and pass such trains with the engine bell + ringing constantly. +</p> + +<p> + 12. Passengers will not be allowed to ride on freight, extra, or + work extra, except upon such regular freight trains as may be + designated in the division time-tables. Freight trains that carry + passengers will be particular to have the caboose stop at the + depot platform to receive and discharge them. Before the arrival + of train at any station where they stop, the conductor will + distinctly call out the name of station. This rule applies to + employees of the company not actually on duty, as well as to other + persons. It is, however, understood that persons accompanying live + stock or perishable freight shall be allowed to ride on the same + trains therewith, for the purpose of taking care of the same, upon + the presentation of proper transportation. +</p> + +<p> + 12a. Conductors must show their orders to rear brakeman or + flagman, and the engineman to the fireman, and (in case of a + freight train) to the head brakeman, who are required to read + them. The copy for the engineman must be delivered to him + personally by the conductor and the engineman must read it aloud + to the conductor before proceeding. +</p> + +<p> + 13. Dispatchers must not authorize operators to issue caution card + to any train or engine to enter a block occupied by a passenger + train, except in case of accident. +</p> + +<p> + If from the failure of telegraph line or other cause a signalman + be unable to communicate with the next block station in advance, + he must stop every train approaching in that direction. Should no + cause for detaining the train be known, it may then be permitted + to proceed, provided ten minutes have elapsed since the passage of + the last preceding train, using caution card. +</p> + +<p> + 14. Trains moving on caution card must do so with great care. As + block is not clear enginemen must be prepared to stop within their + vision. +</p> + +<p> + 15. Trains moving on caution card must expect to find main track + occupied at all stations regardless of the position of block + signal. +</p> + +<p> + 16. Agents are required to see that cars are properly loaded, to + obtain, if possible, the maximum capacity, and not permit an + overload to exceed 10 per cent of marked capacity. It is important + that the load be distributed evenly, securely staked, and that no + projections extend over the ends of cars. +</p> + +<p> + 17. Freight, baggage, and other articles must not be allowed to + stand on the depot platforms where they might cause accident or + inconvenience to passengers or employees, or receive damage from + the weather. United States mail pouches must not be left + unprotected upon the platforms or in the waiting-rooms and other + exposed places at stations. +</p> + +<p> + 18. Agents will see that conductors of freight trains do not block + public crossings longer than five minutes. +</p> + +<p> + 19. On leaving a station passenger brakeman will pass through the + train, from the front to the rear, and when about one-third the + length of the car from forward end, with closed doors, will + announce in a clear and distinct voice the name of the next + station, then proceed to within the same distance from the rear + end of the car and make the same announcement. If the train is to + stop for meals the brakeman will so state, giving the length of + time the train will stop. Conductors of all trains stopping at + stations at which lunch counters or eating-houses are located will + announce in the lunch or dining room notice of departure of the + train in ample time to allow passengers to get aboard before it + starts. Upon approaching a station located at or in the vicinity + of a railroad crossing, when it is necessary for a train to stop + at such crossing, before reaching the crossing brakemen must give + warning of the fact by calling out distinctly in each car, "The + next stop is for railway crossing, not a station." Junction + points, railroad crossings where a stop is made, and terminals + will be announced, passengers notified when to change cars, and + attention directed to their parcels and other belongings. +</p> + +<p> + 20. Passenger train employees will pay particular attention to the + comfort of their passengers and will see that proper lighting, + ventilation, and temperature are maintained and sufficient + drinking water is provided. They will not allow passengers to + violate any rules of the company (such as riding on the platforms, + etc.), and, while avoiding unnecessary conversation with + passengers, will answer all questions courteously. +</p> + +<p> + They will see that passengers are properly seated. They will pass + through sleeping cars only when necessary and then as quickly as + possible, exercising special care at night to avoid disturbing the + occupants. +</p> + +<p> + 21. Conductors must collect the proper fare from every passenger + not provided with a ticket or pass in proper form. In all cases, + on the refusal of any passenger to produce a proper ticket or + pass, or to pay the fare, the conductor shall cause the train to + be brought to a full stop at a regular open station and shall + require such person to leave the train, and, on refusal, shall + remove him therefrom, and must procure and report the names and + addresses of persons who were present and witnessed the + controversy. Each conductor will be held responsible for the + exercise of a reasonable discretion in the performance of this + duty, being careful that no unnecessary force is used, that the + company may not be subjected to unnecessary litigation or + annoyance. They must not eject women or children of tender years, + and any person unattended in such a condition of body or mind as + to be incapable of caring for himself must be placed in the + custody of the nearest station agent, who will wire the + Superintendent for instructions regarding such person's final + disposition. In removing a person from the train, the conductor + must use extreme care to avoid controversy and not indulge in + abusive language or in any manner insult or maltreat the person to + be removed, or use unnecessary force in so doing, unless in a + clear case of self-defense, when an assault is made upon the + conductor or his men, and then the infliction of unnecessary + injury must be carefully avoided. A sufficient force must be + brought into requisition to overcome resistance and to place the + person on the ground without inflicting injury, the law being that + conductors may command employees or any of the passengers to + assist in such removal. In all cases except where passengers shall + be ejected for refusal to produce proper ticket or pass, or to pay + the proper fare, the conductor, before so doing, must tender such + passenger such proportion of the fare he has paid as the distance + he then is from the place to which he has paid his fare bears to + the whole distance for which he has paid his fare. In case of such + ejectment a report must be sent to the Superintendent by first + mail with full particulars. +</p> + +<p> + 22. Passenger trainmen will be required to securely close + vestibule doors and platform traps of all passenger cars when in + motion; and after departure from a station will observe whether or + not there are any passengers clinging to the hand-rails of the + vestibules. +</p> + +<p> + 23. Passenger brakemen will place themselves at the steps of + coaches at stations, and will assist passengers in entering or + leaving the cars. Special care must be taken with children and + aged and infirm passengers, assisting them to and from trains, + giving them ample time to insure safety. They will prevent + passengers boarding or leaving the train while in motion, see that + passengers are provided with proper tickets, and that they take + the right train. +</p> + +<p> + 24. When a passenger train has stopped at a station platform, it + must not move to take coal or water or do other work until the + conductor permits by the usual signal. +</p> + +<p> + 25. Freight conductors and brakemen must be on hand not less than + thirty minutes before the leaving time of their trains. They shall + examine their trains while stopping at stations on the road and + see that everything is in proper order. +</p> + +<p> + 26. Freight train employees are required to examine very carefully + the condition of all brakes and ladders that they are to use, and + to know that they are safe and in good condition before using + them. If brakes are unsafe, or ladders out of order, brakemen will + report them to the conductor at once. +</p> + +<p> + 27. Conductors leaving cars on side tracks will see that they are + properly secured and sufficiently clear of the main line. In + leaving loaded cars at any station they will place them most + conveniently for unloading. The cars must be so placed as not to + project over line of highway crossings. If a car be set out + without a brake, conductors must securely block the wheels. + Cutting off engine and cars before a train has stopped and + allowing the balance of train to follow is prohibited. +</p> + +<p> + 28. Conductors must call the attention of the repairer of cars, or + that of the station agent in his absence, to any damage which may + have been done to the cars, or to any which may come to their + knowledge, that they may be promptly repaired, and they must note + these in their reports. Cars in bad order, set out at stations, + will be reported at once by the conductor, by telegraph, to the + train dispatcher, stating number and initials of car, contents, + nature and extent of damage, and will note the nature of defect on + waybills. +</p> + +<p> + 29. Enginemen must use every precaution to prevent damage by fire + from their engines. They should report all defects in netting, ash + pans, etc., at the end of their run. Ash pans or front ends must + only be cleaned at designated points. +</p> + +<p> + 30. No person will be allowed to ride upon the pilot of a + locomotive, either in the discharge of duty or otherwise, and they + are prohibited from getting on the front end of engines or cars + approaching them. +</p> + +<p> + 31. Turntables must be locked with a switch-lock by enginemen and + others immediately after use, except when in charge of employees. + When turntables are found unlocked, and when tables or locks are + out of order, report at once to the Superintendent by wire. +</p> + +<p> + 32. Engines must not be permitted to stand nearer than 100 feet to + a street or highway crossing, or under any bridge, when it can be + avoided, nor in the vicinity of waiting-rooms, offices, or near + cars occupied by passengers, where the noise or smoke will disturb + occupants. +</p> + +<p> + 33. Agents are instructed to make a personal inspection of all + special loadings and where same do not comply with these + requirements and illustrations and where there is any question in + their minds as regards the safety or proper loading of the same + they should at once communicate with the Superintendent of Car + Department, who will send a man, competent to judge, for the + purpose of inspection and passing on same before car is forwarded. +</p> + +<p> + (a). Yardmen, conductors, and trainmen must familiarize themselves + with these instructions and will not take cars into their trains + unless they come within the requirements of these rules and + illustrations. Where defects occur in loading of cars in transit, + unless they can remedy the same, they will set the car out and + notify the train dispatcher. +</p> + +<p> + 34. Whenever passengers or employees are injured, see that + everything is done to care for them properly, calling the + company's nearest surgeon to treat them, or, if prudent, remove to + the nearest place at which the company has a surgeon, and leave + them with such surgeon for care and treatment. +</p> + +<p> + If the injury be serious call the nearest competent surgeon + obtainable to attend until the company's surgeon arrives. +</p> + +<p> + 35. Whenever an accident happens to any train on which passengers + are carried, whether collision or derailment, of whatever nature, + on main line or siding, or within the yard limits where trains are + reconstructed, conductors must take down the name and address of + every passenger on the train, and ascertain from the passenger, + and note opposite his or her name, what injury, if any, they + received. In such cases, conductors, after first making everything + safe, must give their undivided attention to the care and comfort + of their passengers, especially to those who are injured. Bedding + and linen may be taken from the sleepers for this purpose, the + conductor keeping a careful account of all material so taken, and + its return or safe keeping attended to; and when deemed necessary, + injured persons may be put in the sleepers. When a number of + persons are injured the service of competent surgeons in the + vicinity should be at once secured, and every possible effort made + to care for the injured, the company's surgeon in each direction + being notified by wire to come immediately to the place of the + accident. +</p> + +<p> + 36. When persons (other than employees) by reason of climbing on + or jumping from moving trains, or walking or lying on the track, + are injured, they should be sent to their homes or placed in + charge of the local city, village, or township authorities and no + expense incurred on the part of the company in the matter. +</p> + +<p> + 37. A report of all accidents must be telegraphed immediately to + the Superintendent or his assistant by the conductor, engineman, + agent, yardmaster, foreman, or person in charge, by wire, giving + the names of the injured persons and witnesses, the extent of + injuries, and the names of the owners of the property damaged and + the extent of damage, and as soon as possible a full and detailed + report made and forwarded to the Superintendent or his assistant, + a separate report being made for each person injured. If the + person injured is an employee he should also make and sign a + statement of facts in relation to the accident in his own + handwriting on the same form; should he be unable to write, the + statement should be written at his dictation, and after being read + over to him he should sign it by making his mark, the person + writing and reading statement signing same as a witness. +</p> + +<p> + 38. Whenever an employee, whether on duty or not, witnesses an + accident in which a person is injured or property damaged, in + which the company is in any way concerned, he must report it + immediately. Every effort must be made to procure the names and + addresses of all persons, particularly outsiders, who witnessed + the accident, especially when persons are injured within the + corporate limits of any city, town, or village, or when crossing + the tracks at a public highway. +</p> + +<p> + 39. When an accident occurs on an engine, or is caused by an + engine striking any person or conveyance, or when cars are being + coupled or uncoupled, a full report must be made by the engineman, + as well as by the conductor or the person in charge of the train. +</p> + +<p> + 40. When persons are injured while coupling or uncoupling cars or + in getting on or off cars, whether passenger or freight, or in any + other way, in which the accident may have been caused by defective + appliances or machinery, the cars or appliances must be + immediately examined by the person in charge, or by the agent, to + ascertain their condition, and report made of the inspection, + giving the numbers and initials of cars examined and the names of + the persons making the inspection. The Superintendent or his + assistant will then notify the inspector at the first division + terminal, who will also examine the machinery, cars, or appliances + and make report. When an accident is caused by defective machinery + or by the breaking of machinery, tools, appliances, or rails, the + broken or defective parts must be so marked as to be readily + identified and immediately turned over to the Superintendent or + his assistant. +</p> + +<p> + 41. When an accident occurs which results in the death of any + person, the remains of the deceased must be immediately picked up + and carefully conveyed to the nearest station building, care being + taken not to remove the body outside the limits of county and + state in which the accident happened. The agent at such station + will then notify the Superintendent by wire, as well as the family + or friends of the deceased. +</p> + +<p> + 42. Apply the brakes lightly at a sufficient distance from the + stopping point, and increase the braking force gradually as may be + found necessary, so as to make the stop with one application, or + at the most two applications of the brakes. +</p> + +<p> + 43. In making a service stop with a passenger train, always + release the brakes a short distance before coming to a dead stop, + except on heavy grades, to prevent shocks at the instant of + stopping. Even on moderate grades it is best to do this, and then, + after release, to apply the brakes lightly to prevent the train + starting. This does not apply to freight trains, upon which the + brakes must not be released until the train has stopped. +</p> + +<p> + 44. A train must, at all times, have not less than 50 per cent of + its cars equipped with air-brakes, which must be operated. +</p> + +<p> + 45. They must see that all switches are in perfect order and that + frogs, guard-rails, and switch-rails are properly blocked and + spaces in planked crossings kept clean. +</p> + +<p> + 46. They must permit their hand cars to be used only in the + service of the company, and no one will be allowed to ride on + these cars except employees in the performance of duty, unless + provided with a written order from the proper authority. When two + or more hand cars are following each other they will keep at least + 300 feet apart. Hand or velocipede cars belonging to private + parties will not be allowed on the track except by order of the + Superintendent. +</p> + +<p> + 47. When obliged to run hand and velocipede cars after dark, two + red lanterns must be so displayed on the car as to be visible to + trains in both directions. +</p> + +<p> + 48. Hand, dump cars, and velocipedes must not be attached to + moving trains, nor shall they be used upon the main track in foggy + weather, unless properly protected, and they must not be taken + from the track at public or private crossings, except to avoid an + approaching train. +</p> + +<p> + 49. No wood, ties, or property of any description must be piled + within six feet of the main or side track, or elsewhere, in such + manner as to obstruct the view of, or from, approaching trains. + Old ties, fencing, and similar property, also links, pins, + draw-bars, spikes, and all other material and iron work that is + found on the section must be picked up at once, piled neatly, or + disposed of as directed by the roadmaster. Rails and other + material must <i>not</i> be left scattered about station grounds. +</p> + +<p> + 50. While at station conductors will do such switching as may be + required by the station agent. Trainmen and switchmen must not + couple to or move cars that are being loaded or unloaded on side + tracks without first ascertaining whether anyone is in or about + such cars and giving them ample notice that same are to be moved. + They must not obstruct street or public crossings with their + trains and be particular when at junction points not to allow any + part of their train to stand on railway crossings or interlocking + plants. +</p> + +<p> + 51. All employees are prohibited from going between cars or + between car and engine for any purpose or in front of any moving + car to fix couplers while same are in motion. +</p> + +<p> + 52. Enginemen must keep the headlights of their engines in good + order, and when running after dark, or when storms, fogs or other + causes render it necessary, they must be lighted. When trains are + waiting on side tracks, clear of main track, or on the end of + double track, headlights of engines must be covered. +</p> + +<p> + 53. When trains meet by special order or time-table regulations, + conductors and enginemen must inform each other by word of mouth + what trains they are. +</p></div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Railroad Accidents, by R. C. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Railroad Accidents + Their Cause and Prevention + +Author: R. C. Richards + +Release Date: February 1, 2012 [EBook #38731] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAILROAD ACCIDENTS *** + + + + +Produced by Odessa Paige Turner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +RAILROAD ACCIDENTS + + +THEIR CAUSE AND PREVENTION + + +BY + +R. C. RICHARDS + + +Published by + +THE ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY CLAIM AGENTS + +1906 + +COPYRIGHT, 1906 +BY R. C. RICHARDS + +GIFT OF +O. A. MOORE + + + + +Introduction + +Railroad Accidents + +Their Cause and Prevention + + +Much has been said and written during recent years about the +increasing number of railroad accidents in this country--their cause +and what action should be taken by the government, the railroads and +the employees to reduce them and the consequent loss of life and limb +resulting therefrom. Believing that if the cause of our many accidents +were properly understood more care would be taken by the corporations, +employees and persons at fault to reduce the number, I shall try to +point out in the following pages what investigation has shown me to be +the cause of many accidents and how their reoccurrence could, I think, +be prevented. + +In the transaction of the business of a railroad its first and highest +duty is to the passengers, to carry them safely and speedily; next, to +take care of the property entrusted to it for transportation, and for +which it is practically an insurer against everything but the act of +God or the public enemy, and deliver it with reasonable dispatch to +the consignee in practically the same condition as that in which it is +received. + +It is a self-evident proposition that the nearer the railroads come to +performing this duty, the fewer losses and claims for damages they +will have to pay, and, as a matter of course, the more money there +will be left with which to pay wages, interest, dividends, and make +improvements. So it behooves all, who are working for those wages, to +do everything they can to help carry on the business properly and +correctly in order that the interest of the companies hiring them, as +well as their individual interest, will be subserved, and for the more +important reason of causing as little suffering, pain, and sorrow to +those who by accident may be maimed or killed, which always brings +trouble and sorrow to the victim as well as to his family, and +frequently results in untold suffering and privation to the widows and +children. + +The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission shows that for the +year ending June 30, 1904, there were + + 441 passengers killed. + 3,632 employees killed. + 839 not trespassers killed. + 5,105 trespassers killed. + 9,111 passengers injured. + 67,067 employees injured. + 2,499 not trespassers injured. + 5,194 trespassers injured. + +Making 10,017 killed and 83,871 injured, or a total of killed and +injured of 93,888, many times over the casualties of our last war, and +all the roads seem to have done their share of this havoc. + +We should strive to see if in the coming year we cannot reduce the +number, so that the casualties reported, and consequent loss to the +companies, will be reduced, considering the number of employees, +mileage, earnings, number of trains run, persons and property +transported, and the territory traversed, and for the purpose of +bringing this matter before you in a proper light I will call +attention to a few of the many accidents which have recently occurred, +which, with proper care and the use of good judgment, would have been +avoided and fewer persons left to go through life crippled, fewer +homes made desolate and fatherless, and sometimes motherless, and at +the same time the money which has been necessarily paid out to settle +the claims saved to the companies, and, consequently, just so much +more money left in the treasury to pay for wages, interest, dividends, +and betterments. + +Taking into consideration the safety appliances installed by the +railroads since 1898, the improvement in track and equipment, and the +increase in wages paid, with even the same degree of care on the part +of employees, the number of accidents should have decreased, but on +the contrary they show an actual percentage of increase higher than +that of earnings, and if the employees are onto their jobs they ought +to and must find a way to reduce the number of such cases and +consequent expense to the companies. + +For the purpose of showing that the employees are the persons most +vitally interested in this matter, as upon them falls the major part +of the fatalities and injuries resulting from such accidents and upon +themselves and families the suffering and pain which always comes +after them, while upon the companies falls the immense and increasing +financial drain, following their wakes, as well as loss of prestige +and public criticism which necessarily follow, and which is increasing +every day, I have prepared the following statement. + + 1. The percentage of employees to the number of passengers transported +during the year ending June 30, 1904, was one for each 552. + + 2. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the whole number of +persons reported killed in all classes (10,017) was 4 per cent. + + 3. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the whole number of +persons reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 11 per cent. + + 4. The percentage of passengers injured (9,111) to the number +transported (715,419,682) was about one in each 80,000. + + 5. The percentage of passengers killed (441) to the number transported +was about one in every 1,600,000. + + 6. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number of +employees (1,296,121) was about one in every 19. + + 7. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +employed (1,296,121) was about one in 360. + + 8. The percentage of employees killed (3,632) to the whole number +reported killed in all classes (10,017) was about 36 per cent. + + 9. The percentage of employees injured (67,067) to the whole number +reported injured in all classes (83,871) was 80 per cent. + +10. The percentage of employees (300,000) engaged in the hazardous +part of the business such as train, engine and yardmen to the whole +number employed (1,296,121) was 25 per cent. + +11. Percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work, who +were killed (2,343), to the whole number of employees reported killed +(3,632), was 64 per cent. + +12. The percentage of those engaged in the hazardous part of the work +who were injured (32,345) to the whole number of employees injured +(67,067) was 48 per cent. + +An examination of the statistics published by the Commission also +shows that the number of accidents depends not so much on the actual +length of track of a railroad in miles, but upon the density of its +traffic and of the population of the territory through which it runs, +for illustration take one division on a system that runs through a +thickly settled country, that has five per cent of the actual mileage +of the system and fifteen per cent of the train mileage, and another +division in the same system that runs through a sparsely settled +country, that has ten per cent of the actual mileage of the system and +five per cent of the train mileage, and it is a well-known fact that +the percentage of accidents on the former will be many times that on +the latter; + +That the heavier the traffic the greater need there is of more care +being taken in employing and educating the right kind of men to +operate the trains; and + +That with denser traffic there should come more and better supervision +to insure observance of the rules adopted for the safe operation of +trains and that the increase in quantity and quality of that +supervision should at least equal in ratio the increase in traffic. +Indeed, I believe that when this is done many of the troubles and +difficulties the railroads now labor under will pass away, and that +the additional expense caused by such increase will be saved many +times over by a general reduction in operating expenses, especially in +waste and damage. + +Accidents should be divided into four classes: + +_First._ Unavoidable accidents, or those caused by the act of God, the +public enemy, or by some miscreant who takes up a rail, misplaces a +switch, or puts an obstruction on the track. + +_Second._ Accidents to passengers, outsiders trespassing or not +trespassing, caused by the carelessness or wantonness of the injured +or some other person for whose act the railroad is not liable, or by +the failure on the part of the State or municipality to make and +enforce proper laws and ordinances to prevent stoning trains and +trespassing on the premises and cars of the companies. + +_Third._ Those caused by the want of care, foresight, or supervision +on the part of the management of the company. + +_Fourth._ Those caused by the carelessness, thoughtlessness, or +neglect of employees. + +Neither employees nor company can be held to blame or can prevent +accidents resulting from the first and second causes, and fortunately +for the reputation as well as the treasury of the companies over +one-half of all the fatalities and a large proportion of the seriously +injured come under the second class, and until the life and limb of a +trespasser (10 per cent or 1,000 of the 10,000 killed and injured on +the railroads of this country every year being children under fourteen +years of age) are considered to be of some value to their families and +to the State, they will not only continue to occur, but will increase +each year as our population and traffic grow. + +Accidents caused by carelessness, thoughtlessness, or neglect of +employees are the large majority of all that happen, and if we could +eliminate them, or one-half of them, there would be little cause for +complaint on the part of the management of the companies, or criticism +on the part of the public, and the claim agent would have a bed of +roses instead of the busiest and hardest worked office on the road, +and I believe that when the employees really understand the matter +many of them will be eliminated. + +We should bear in mind that it is not the great train accidents that +make the large majority of the total deaths and injuries on the +railroads of this country, about which so much is said in the public +press, but it is the little cases that are unheralded in the press, or +in the courts, that make the totals so large; the little things that +are happening every day, on every railroad in the country, which go on +happening every year in the same old way, and they are the cases which +could and should be avoided by the exercise of greater care and +thoughtfulness--more of them come from thoughtlessness than any other +cause. My experience leads me irresistibly to the conclusion that +after all it is the _man_, not the safety appliance, that we must +depend on to prevent accidents, as has been demonstrated by any number +of cases that have occurred at points where the track has been lined +with safety appliances. + + + + +The Cause + + +INJURIES TO PASSENGERS + +Injuries to passengers for which employees are at fault, and which +could and should be avoided, result from collisions, derailments, +improper handling and management of trains and stations, and I will, +by way of illustration, cite a few cases which have occurred and tell +you how, in my opinion, they might have been avoided. + +We will first take those caused by collisions: + + At Forest Station, April 2, in which 3 passengers were killed and + 26 injured, caused by train No. 112, upon which they were riding, + being run into by engine No. 405, hauling train No. 2, Engineman + Jackson, at 4 p.m. + + Charles Early and ten other passengers injured May 21, at 8 a.m., + caused by engine 109, hauling train 477, colliding with engine 309 + backing a train to yards; latter train had been stopped five + minutes, engine standing under 89th street viaduct, contrary to + rule 31. Smoke blew down on track, hiding engine and train. + +In a dense fog and on a part of the division and at a time when trains +were thick, with a knowledge that he had followed No. 112 all the way +from Thornton, the engineman was so careless as to run by two +automatic signals set at danger, a flagman, and into No. 112, and +three lives go out and 20 odd are injured. Could anything be more +reckless? Do any of you want to ride behind that kind of runner or be +on a train in front of him, even if you have your life insured and +your home paid for? Will we not all agree that such a man is unsafe +and unfit for the service? And in view of the dense fog and the number +of trains moving, should not trains have been blocked a station apart? +It is an absolute protection against accident, which the time interval +is not. And when you enginemen see a signal against you, think of the +wrecks you have known of since you entered the service, and STOP; take +no chances. If you can't see the signal, if your view is obstructed by +smoke or steam so that you can't see the track beyond the smoke or +steam, stop or slow down until you know it safe to proceed. And don't +do as was done in the second case mentioned above, but slow down to +such a speed that you can stop within the range of your vision. In +case of doubt always take the safe course. If you know a man with +defective vision and so little regard for the lives of others as to +try to remain in the service with that defect, you owe it as a duty to +yourself, to your family, the passengers, and other employees, as well +as to the company, to report him to the proper officer before and not +after an accident occurs. Some day there will be a law requiring +frequent examination of the vision of trainmen, but until that time +comes we should all do the best we can to guard against such men. + +Next we come to accidents caused by making a switch of cars containing +passengers without the engine being attached to the car: + + Thomas H. Norton, injured Oct. 20, in Sixtieth St. yards; caused + by the Pullman car Winona, in which he was traveling, being kicked + down against a coach standing at the other end of track, by switch + engine 731; and when switch crew tried to stop the car they + claimed they could not do so with hand brakes, although they were + in good condition. + +Everyone knows that it is unsafe to handle a car containing passengers +without the engine being coupled to it and air-brake in use, and that +Rule 10[1] expressly prohibits such work, yet in this case it was done +by men long in the service, who probably had done the same thing +before without accident and without being caught, so they chanced it +once too often, and the cost in this case would pay many times over +for the time they had saved before. It is just as unsafe to switch +caboose cars in which train crews are resting or cars loaded with +horses and cattle or emigrant movables in that way, and it ought to be +stopped. If it was, there would not be the injuries to trainmen or +damages to live stock that we have now from that cause. + + [1] Copies of all rules referred to will be found in the + Appendix. + +We all have no end of trouble with circuses and theatrical troupes +traveling in their own cars, many of which ought to be in the scrap +heap. These cars should never be accepted, no matter who is in them or +what notice you may have received about the runs to be made with them, +unless the brakes, running gear, and everything connected with them +are in good repair, but when you do take them, handle them as +carefully as if they contained dynamite, and get them off the line +without accident. When you find such a car on a track which you are +obliged to use--it should when possible be set on a track not used for +switching--either to move it or some other car, handle it with the +greatest care; don't do as was done at Harrison just a short time ago +when + + Laura Jameson, with a theatrical troupe, was in car "Pomfret," + Nov. 9th, which was coupled onto by engine No. 402 with such force + that she was thrown from the chair in which she was sitting, + bruising and injuring her. + +Neither would any of the following cases, caused by careless handling, +have happened: + + Mrs. R. A. Storrs, passenger injured at Whiteford, Aug. 8th, at + 7:20 a.m. Engine was pulling train back in the yard and ran in on + track that had some cars on it and collided with them, the switch + having been left open. + + W. R. Thomas, injured at Winton, at 2:50 p.m., Dec. 10, by reason + of standing up near stove in way-car when two cars were coupled on + train, he was thrown against stove and onto floor. + + John A. Klohs, stockman, was riding in the caboose of extra stock + train east, at Yale, June 4th; got up to take off his coat; the + train was coupled up with so much force that he was thrown over + the stove and his ankle injured. + +Now we will take up cases caused by careless loading and unloading of +freight from mixed trains: + +It would not seem necessary to have to tell anyone that timbers or +telegraph poles ought not to be unloaded from moving trains carrying +passengers, or from any moving train, and yet that is exactly what was +done, when + + John A. Owen, W. A. Stead, Martin Kjoelseth, Andrew Thorsen, and + C. G. Strombeck, passengers on train No. 82, were injured at + Wallace, Aug. 2, by reason of the caboose in which they were + riding colliding with some cars on the side track, caused by + Anderson, a telegraph lineman, unloading some poles from a car in + the train upon which they were riding while it was moving, one of + which struck a switch target, opened switch, and caboose ran into + side track and collided with cars. + +And when you have a car loaded with logs in your train see that they +are secure. If you do an accident like the one near Hamlin, January +8th, won't occur: + + Julius Lewinsky, passenger, was injured while riding in coach; + chain on one of the cars gave away, and logs fell off and were + forced through bottom of the coach, striking his left leg. + +It would seem to be a simple matter to see that logs, water pipes, +machinery, or other property liable to fall from cars are properly +secured before car is taken in the train, and so avoid such accidents. +Why not do it? + +When in a terrible rain-storm you are running with a slow order over a +track which is being repaired, don't do it at a speed of 50 or 60 +miles an hour, if you value your life and the lives of those in the +cars behind you. If you don't value them, don't do it because it is +dangerous and your orders tell you not to, and because your family +will suffer if you get killed in the attempt and the company's +property will be damaged, and don't, under such, or any other, +circumstances, run by a station five minutes ahead of time contrary to +Rule 4, and yet that is just what was done on the night of July 2, +when + + James Williams, engineman; Charles Jones, fireman; and two tramps + were killed; and F. C. Stodmeister, brakeman; W. W. McAllister, + baggageman; C. W. H. Brown, Charles Brown, and A. Parsons, + porters; W. J. Smith, telegraph operator; Mrs. Miller, Alice + Eager, and Mrs. David, passengers, and Thomas King, a tramp, were + injured, 1-1/2 miles west of Janeway by train No. 8 running off + derail and knocking down the tower. + +When you get a bulletin prohibiting your running down certain hills or +around curves faster than 30 miles an hour, don't do it at 40 or 50 +miles an hour, as it is unsafe, and yet that is exactly what was done +May 12 near Wilkes, and resulted in the derailment of freight train +No. 18, and + + William Little, brakeman, was killed, M. J. McWheeney, Geo. + Orneson, Jr., O. A. Dalseth, C. F. Shoelkopf, Geo. V. Hickock, and + C. W. Doner, passengers, injured. + +A bulletin was issued by Superintendent Davis prohibiting trains going +down this hill faster than 30 miles an hour. From the statements of +the train crew it would appear that no attention had been paid to this +bulletin, and, from what the passengers say, it has been customary for +a long time for trains coming into Wilkes from Notman and Guilford, if +in sight of each other, to make a race to see which train could get +there first, so as to get out of Wilkes for Joppa without delay. + +Now, there was no excuse for the engineman and conductor not complying +with the order. They both got off without injury, as the parties to +blame for such accidents generally do. Neither was there any excuse +for the train dispatcher not knowing that the order was being +disregarded daily, as the train sheets would tell him that, and he +should have stopped it. To my mind, he was just as guilty as the +engineman and conductor, and should have received the same punishment. +And when disregard of such orders and bulletins are not winked at, +until an accident happens, there will be fewer cases of failure to +observe them. + +Don't try to run around curves 50 or 60 miles an hour, as a train I +was riding on a few weeks ago did and went in the ditch; neither +should freight or passenger trains run over interlocking switches +faster than 15 and 25 miles an hour, respectively, because it is not +safe to do so, and Rule 5 says you must not. Conductors, who are in +supreme command of the train, should pull the air on any engineman who +is running too fast around curves, over bad places, or through +stations, and when you get in, report the matter to your +superintendent, as reckless running should not and will not be +tolerated. + +Next we have the accidents resulting from occasional derailments, +which were not serious, but might have been, and it is the cause, as +well as the result, we want to eliminate, such as: + + Mrs. K. Smith and four other passengers, train No. 6, which was + derailed at Heilprin, Sept. 3. The train was very crowded and + these women were standing up at the time of the accident and were + injured. + + Mrs. Jessie Doan and five other passengers, injured Oct. 11, + caused by train No. 15 being derailed one-half mile east of Morse + station, caused by reason of a brake-shoe on the tank of the + engine coming off; this brake-shoe had an old defect. + + J. E. Fitzsimmons, passenger, injured near Hedley, by derailment + of train No. 316, on which he was riding. + +None of which would have happened if some one had not failed to +perform his duty, and when every accident, no matter how slight, is +investigated by an expert--who reports not to the officer who may be +primarily at fault, but to the chief operating officer--to ascertain +the actual cause and find a remedy, such cases will be largely +eliminated. + +The same is true of injuries like the following, resulting from trains +breaking in two: + + R. B. Janeway, passenger, and J. P. Mitchell, baggageman, injured + Jan. 9th near Gray. Train No. 280 broke in two and rear end ran + into head end. + + George Burgan and W. L. Smith and two other stockmen, injured at + Newport, Neb., Nov. 21st; train broke in two, and when the two + parts came together these men, who were sitting on the locker in + way-car, were knocked down. + +Another class of accidents which are of altogether too frequent +occurrence are injuries caused by trains not stopping long enough for +passengers to alight. + +Frequently the persons injured are old people not accustomed to +traveling, who are necessarily slow in their movements, and of whom we +should take greater care. Think how you or I would feel if our mother +or grandmother, if we were fortunate enough to have them with us +still, were injured just because a conductor or brakeman didn't have +forethought or decency enough to give them time to get off. If you +will do that, there will not be a procession of such cases as the +following, and the companies will be so much ahead. + + Mrs. A. J. Denman, passenger from Norwood to Avon, injured at + Garwin, Sept. 7th; caused by the train not stopping long enough + for her to alight. + + Mrs. C. E. Collinwood and C. Collinwood, passengers on train No. + 32, from Omaha, injured at Hamburg, Oct. 17th; caused by train + starting before they had an opportunity to get off. + + P. J. Wilkins, passenger, injured at Johnsport, at 1:10 a.m., Oct. + 31, getting off train No. 35, while in an intoxicated condition; + brakeman gave signal for train to start as the man was coming down + the steps, thinking as he claims, that the man would have gotten + off before train started; both the brakeman and the conductor of + train knew that the man was intoxicated. + + Sarapino Guiseppi, injured at Engletown, Sept. 26, at 6:15 p.m. + When train stopped at Engletown a number of passengers crowded + onto it and, before this man had an opportunity to get off, the + train started, and, while alighting, he fell and was run over and + lost his left arm. + +It seems to me that if the instructions contained in Rule 19, +requiring the announcing of stations by brakemen, were complied with +and thereby passengers given ample notice of the approach of the train +to their destination, they would be prepared to get off instead of in +the present method, or, rather, lack of method, as the rule is so +seldom observed as to cause comment when it is complied with, and if, +before giving the signal to start, trainmen would get upon the car +platform and look into the cars to see that there was no one else to +get off, especially should this be done at night when passengers are +tired and sleepy, when platform lights are not any too numerous, and +with excursionists, and picnickers who are often none too sober and +who are not accustomed to moving quickly, and if at division terminals +trainmen would pay more attention to assisting passengers off instead +of being in such a hurry to cut off a car, getting their markers, or +getting away from the train, not only would such accidents as those +last enumerated be avoided, but the journey would be made much more +comfortable to passengers; and the road doing this would increase its +traffic. Deadheads, who mostly ride in Pullmans or private cars, do +not realize how annoying and exasperating to paying passengers is the +present method of trainmen, going into the cars and pretending to call +stations in some dead language, or by talking to themselves. In +transferring passengers from express to local trains trainmen must +bear in mind that the passenger is frequently unaccustomed to the +surroundings, is generally overanxious about getting off so as not to +miss connections, and coming from a lighted car out into the darkness, +in his hurry and excitement may not notice that the train is running; +in these cases the train is always moving so smoothly the passenger +thinks (or says he does) that it has stopped, and off he goes, and it +is necessary, to prevent such accidents occurring, to exercise the +greatest care, and by proper announcement make it plain to all such +passengers that ample time will be given them to alight, and that the +train they are to take cannot pull out until after your train does. + +And when you are receiving passengers, especially on mixed or freight +trains, don't start until they have a chance to get seated, and then +such cases as the following won't occur: + + Mrs. A. L. Bishop, passenger on freight train 91 from Milton to + Jessop, had gotten into caboose, but had not time to get seated + before train started with a jerk; she was thrown down and injured. + + Mrs. Mary Hanson, passenger from Grant to Portsmouth, on train 15, + June 4th, 1:15 p.m. Before she had time to get to her seat, train + started, and she was thrown down and injured. + +When you are making your station stop, don't jerk your train, after it +has stopped, or is about to stop, and while the passengers are getting +off, as they surely will commence to do so as soon as (if not before) +the train is stopped. Don't pull up or back up a few feet to get to +the standpipe or coal chute, because if you do, some one is liable to +get hurt, as the following did: + + Dr. H. Q. Johnson, passenger, injured at Dale, Sept 6; train No. + 603, stopped at station platform and then started to move ahead + again. Dr. Johnson stepped from platform onto steps of coach and, + as he did so, brakes were set to emergency and train stopped + suddenly; he was thrown against the edge of vestibule. + + Helen Kennedy, a child 2-1/2 years old, with its parents, was on + train No. 73, bound for Stratford; had gotten up for the purpose + of getting off at Henderson, March 26. Train stopped and as + passengers were on the platform it was backed up without notice, + and this child was thrown, and her arm went between the car + platforms, badly bruising and cutting it, just missed taking it + off. + +And when you are pulling into a station and intend to take water and +are going to run by the pipe a few feet, don't use the emergency brake +to stop with, because, if you do, some one is liable to get hurt. +Nearly every one has been on a train when this has been done contrary +to Rules 42 and 43, and if you enginemen could hear some of the +uncomplimentary remarks that are made about you and the company on +such occasions, you would feel like thirty cents. And when it is +raining to beat the band, stop your trains so that the passengers can +get off opposite the station building and avoid getting wet, do not +pull them by a couple of hundred feet just because the locomotive is +thirsty. Pull up to the tank after the passengers get on and off, so +says Rule 24, and the women, and men, too, for that matter, will think +you are a dandy and vote for you the next time you run for school +trustee; and perhaps, by so doing, you may prevent your best girl +spoiling her dress. + +And when you are running an engine you want to know that its +grease-cups are screwed on tight and that its brake-shoes are not +cracked, if you do not want to have cases like the following: + + Fred. C. Mitchell, while waiting for a train on station platform + at Lucian, Feb. 1st, was struck and fatally injured by a + grease-cup plug from engine No. 206. + + Chas. C. Wilson, standing on the platform at Newton, June 30th, to + take passage on a train; brake-shoe on engine No. 716, running + through the station at 60 or 65 miles an hour, broke, and part of + it struck him on the foot. + +One of the rules most frequently disregarded is No. 11, prohibiting a +train on the double track pulling through a station while another one +is standing there unloading passengers. + +About nine times out of ten you can do it without an accident, but the +tenth time some one will get hurt and you will get a vacation from 30 +days to life. I know it is tantalizing, when you are pulling a fast +train and are, perhaps a little late, to be compelled to stop and wait +until the other train has pulled out, and its last car passed the end +of the platform nearest you, when you could sneak through the station +and save a little time, and perhaps no harm be done and no one be the +wiser; but don't do it, because the rule says you must not. + +If that part of the rule which says, "When two trains are nearing a +station from opposite directions at the same time, and only one of +them is scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed +and let the other through the station before it arrives" was complied +with, the trouble would be largely overcome. + +You men who are running stations should see that your platform lamps +are not only kept clean and properly filled, but that after dark they +are burning so that passengers won't get hurt falling off platforms in +the dark, and that the platforms are kept clear of freight as per Rule +17; that baggage and express trucks are placed where patrons won't +fall over them, and, if there is a fast train coming, especially a +mail or newspaper train, notify the passengers and get them inside the +depot, the only safe place at such times. Especially is this necessary +on the double track. If there is a broken plank or a hole in the +station platform, nail a board over it until the carpenters can get +around to fix it. See that the platforms are kept clear of snow and +ice; but when there is ice on the platform throw ashes or sand over +the ice so that people won't slip on it. And if you have people +waiting for trains at your station, especially in the night-time, see +that the fire in the stove in the waiting-room is kept going so that +they will be comfortable and not catch cold. It will take you less +time to do these things than it will to make a report of an injury, +and then cases like these won't be put up to your claim agent to guess +at: + + Mrs. J. P. Gedney, injured at Ontario, June 24, 10:27 p.m., was + at station to take passage on train No. 17, went out of a lighted + waiting-room onto a dark platform and fell. + + Mrs. Mollis Schmella and Dr. Cleveland, injured, passengers on + train 31, arrived at Altruria 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21st; + raining; got off train, no lights on platform; doors of depot + locked, and fell from platform to track. + + M. O. Hudson, passenger from Elton to Woodbridge, on train No. 47, + arriving at latter place Aug. 28th, at 12:30 a.m., got off coach + and ran up to baggage car to get baggage; in doing so ran against + train signal on platform, was thrown down and injured; no lights + on platform or in signal. + + S. W. Thomas, passenger on train No. 48, injured at Harkrader, Oct + 21st, at 11:20 p.m., was getting off chair car, which stood 150 + ft. south of the platform; there were no lights, and the porter + had no lantern, and when he stepped from the car step to the + porter's box he slipped and fell. + +And sweep the car platforms, so passengers won't slip on banana peels, +and then such a case as the following won't happen: + + H. T. Witheridge, injured at Wingate, Aug. 4, 1903, caused by his + slipping on a banana peeling left on the platform of a coach in + train No. 176 by the car cleaners. + +When passengers are carried on freight trains Rule 12 says the car in +which they are riding must stop at the platform to unload them. Don't +do it out in the yard, and, if you have to do switching after +unloading the passengers, stop at the station platform as you are +pulling out and give the passengers a chance to get on and not compel +them to go into the yard in order to do so. If at night, they might +fall into a culvert or over some obstruction alongside the track and +get hurt, and, if the platform at the station is short, arrange your +work so as to make one stop where the passengers can get off safely, +and notify them, so they will know when they can do so; and be sure to +assist them in getting on and off, especially the old men and women, +the children, and the cripples (that is what Rule 23 says, you always +do it for the young and pretty girls) and then we won't be trying to +conjure up excuses for cases like the following, or pay for them +either: + + Miss Belle Saunders, injured at Milwood, Dec. 14, was a passenger + on train No. 16 from Homer to Milwood. A mixed train. It was + stopped some distance from the passenger station; the passengers + were allowed to alight, and in getting from the track to the + street going down the embankment she fell and sprained her left + ankle. It has been the custom to stop this train at this point for + some time and allow the passengers to get off there, the busses + coming up as near as they could to take them to the hotel. + + Mrs. A. Zuehlke, injured at Granby, Oct. 10th, at 6:10 p.m., in + getting off a train on which she had been riding as a passenger; + the station platform is so short that only the platform of one car + in train can be stopped at it. + + Mrs. Mary H. Crawford, passenger, injured at Beulah, Oct. 13th, + getting off train No. 35; porter allowed her to fall, and she + stepped between platform and car steps. + +Many of the roads have the steps on coaches that come near enough to +the ground so that such accidents are practically impossible, but on +the Pullmans and on cars of some of the roads they are so high from +the station platform as to require a ladder to get on them. Why they +are not all made on a proper and safe standard no one seems to know. + +Another cause of injury to passengers, especially children, who always +want the windows open, is by the windows falling and injuring them. +Nearly always their little hands or fingers get hurt; or by +ventilators falling on their heads. When you have an accident caused +by a window falling examine it immediately and, if the catches are all +right, show the injured person or, if a child, the man or woman in +whose charge it is traveling, that is was not the fault of the window +catch, and at the same time call the attention of some intelligent +passenger and of your brakeman to the matter and have them try the +window catch, and send in their names and addresses with your report. +If, however, the catch is defective report the fact, but don't +advertise it, and whenever you find any defective catches or anything +else wrong about a car in your train call the attention of the first +car repairer you meet to the matter and have it repaired, and report +it to your superintendent. If the car repairers would make an +examination of the windows, their catches, and of the ventilators, for +the purpose of finding out their actual condition, we would get rid of +many such cases. Do the same thing with the matting in the aisles, and +when there is a hole in it get it fixed, or get a new one. If you +can't do that, take the matting up and so prevent any one falling on +it. + + Ruth Darman, child five years old, injured December 25th, near + Correctionville, was riding in coach 269, train No. 39; caused by + ventilator window falling and striking her, injuring her head. + + J. E. Wills, passenger on train No. 25, January 25th, stumbled + over the zinc at end of matting, which was out of condition, in + coach No. 659. + + Mrs. Jones, passenger, injured September 23d, at Junction, was + riding in coach 480, train 65, when train stopped at Junction. She + walked to rear end of coach and in doing so caught her foot in a + hole in the aisle matting and fell forward on her face. + + Nora Holm, 3 years of age, injured near Henshaw, July 24th; caused + by a window in coach 338, train 9, falling on her arm, on account + of a defective spring. + +And, speaking of aisles, so far as possible get passengers to keep +their valises, suit cases, and bundles out of the aisles so that other +passengers won't fall over them. If the glass in a door gets broken, +when the train is running, be sure that the glass is taken out of the +frame, so that passengers won't catch their hands on it. Take pains to +see that your passengers, especially the old and infirm, the women, +and children, are provided with seats, and when some passenger, +whether man or woman, who has paid for only one seat or is riding on a +pass, is occupying three or four seats, have them make room for those +standing. Pay some attention to ventilation--in cold weather open the +ventilators on the side the smoke trails on, and then there won't be +any draught. In other words, comply with Rule 20 and then cases like +the following, which seem to be on the increase, won't happen: + + Mrs. Alice Gahriels, passenger from Clinton, Iowa, to Lincoln, + Neb., on train No. 3, June 2d, while returning from the dining car + between Cedar Rapids and Belle Plaine stumbled over a valise which + was left in the aisle of the chair car and fell and was injured. + + Mrs. Little, passenger, injured at Van Buren Street depot at 9:52 + p.m., March 9th, was alighting from train No. 594, and in doing so + took hold of frame of vestibule door of coach. The glass in door + had been broken and this lady's hand was seriously cut on the + broken pieces which had not been taken out of the frame. + + +EJECTMENT OF PASSENGERS AND OTHERS FROM TRAINS + +Everyone is supposed to know that neither passengers or tramps should +be ejected from a train when it is in motion, and, in the case of +passengers, the ejectment must only be made at an open station, so +that the person ejected will have a place of shelter if at night or if +it is storming; that women and children of tender years must not be +ejected at all; and that if a person refusing to pay his fare is in +such condition as to be unable to care for himself, he must be placed +in custody of the nearest station agent. So says Rule 21, which also +tells you to make a report of the ejectment, giving the cause thereof +and names of the witnesses on Form 992, a blank which every conductor +running a train that carries passengers should have in his set of +blanks, and use it when he puts anyone off. + +The principal trouble in ejectment cases is when passengers are put +off away from a station or when tramps are put off while the train is +in motion, resulting often in a serious injury, and, while very +frequently the patience of trainmen is severely tried by these +"hoboes," don't put them off when the train is moving. After all, they +are human beings and we don't want to maim or kill them. So stop the +train; and don't shoot them unless in self-defense. I mention the +following as a few sample cases: + + Charles Williston, while in an intoxicated condition, attempted to + get on train No. 16 while same was in motion, at Alger, March + 16th. Baggageman and express messenger was standing inside door of + car and saw this man getting on; went to the front door, had the + cross bar in his hands, and ordered the man off. In getting off, + Williston fell and his leg was run over. + + Edw. Hock, injured at Smithville, March 25th, by being ejected + from extra freight train, while same was running six or seven + miles an hour. Hock had got on train, having been told by someone + that he could ride on it--having mileage--and conductor made him + get off while train was in motion, and in getting off he was + injured. + + Louis Nelson, colored boy, had been stealing a ride on train No. + extra 112; was ordered off by conductor at Avon, May 19th; after + he got off conductor shot him in the arm. + + James Mills, injured at Pewaukee, October 21st, got on milk train + for the purpose of stealing a ride. Was ordered off by brakeman + while train was in motion. In getting off he fell and was run over. + +When passengers are injured _by stones or anything else thrown +through or at the windows of cars_ render them such assistance as +you can; have the company's surgeon called to treat them, and if the +stone or object which broke the glass or which caused the injury comes +in the car pick it up and mark it so that you can identify it in the +future and send it in with your report, as per Rules 35 and 40. It is +as unfortunate that so many such cases occur as it is that there is no +way by which railroads can prevent them, and until the State and +municipal authorities take a hand in the matter they will continue to +happen and passengers will continue to lose their vision. + + +INJURIES TO PATRONS AND DAMAGE TO THEIR PROPERTY + +Next come the accidents in which patrons are injured and their +property damaged. It is generally understood, and has been the custom +on all railroads, and Rule 50 requires, that before going onto a track +on which cars are placed to be loaded or unloaded by patrons or +employees it is the duty of the person in charge of the crew to go +along the track to ascertain if there is anyone in the cars, loading +or unloading them, or wagons close enough to the cars to be injured or +damaged by their movement, and, if so, to give ample warning in order +that such persons, wagons, and gang planks may be moved to a safe +place. In the mining district especial care should be exercised in +handling cars being loaded or unloaded by the mining companies' +employees, many of whom do not understand our language or the danger +of the business, in order that ample opportunity be given them to get +off the car before it is moved. How often that rule and custom is +violated is shown by the following cases: + + Ludwig Hoffmeister, injured at Montmorency, July 12; some cars + were switched down against the car from which he was unloading + apples, without notice to him, and he was thrown down and injured. + + H. Schurmann, laborer, injured April 2 at Hennessy. He was in car + piling tile when the car was struck by a car of coal dropped in on + that track, knocking the tile down on Schurmann. + + Foster & Roberts Co., for value of building at Lewiston, May 3. + Engineman and fireman left engine and went into factory to get a + drink; the engine with car ran away and knocked building down. + + Car loaded with salt; was being kicked down main line at Hawkins, + October 12, brakes broke, car ran in on side track and struck + another car, knocking it against side of building belonging to + Blumenthal & Co., breaking in the walls and damaging machinery. + + June 8, switching crew at Kempshall backed a box car against the + ammonia pipe which carries ammonia from the brewery to the + bottling works of the Kempshall Brewing Company, knocking down the + pipe, which was only twelve feet high, allowing the ammonia to + escape. + +No one will pretend that these accidents and consequent injuries and +losses could not have been avoided by the exercise of a little +forethought and care. Why not do it and stop them in the future, avoid +the injuries and save the money they cost? + + +ACCIDENTS TO TRAVELERS ON THE HIGHWAY + +The increasing frequency of accidents to travelers crossing the tracks +at highways, one-third of which the country over are fatal, are caused +by the increased number and speed of trains, increase in the +population of the territory through which the roads run, by the +failure to always give the required signal of the approach of the +train, frequently by freight trains passing through stations at a +speed prohibited by Rule 6, by failure to have gates or flagmen at +crossings where they are needed, by failure of gatemen and flagmen, +when provided, to properly perform their duties on account of +ignorance or carelessness, generally the former; but chiefly is the +increase caused by failure on the part of the persons crossing the +track to exercise any care whatever. Gates and flagmen are generally +disregarded by adults and, as a natural consequence, by children, and +the result is death and injury. I think that as a matter of dollars +and cents it would be profitable to the companies to increase the +number and quality of flagmen and have greater supervision given to +this class of the service, as it seems to me a self-evident +proposition that the lower the grade of labor the more supervision +there is needed. + +Among the many cases of this kind, I have selected some which will +illustrate the matter. They are selected for the purpose of calling +the attention of employees to accidents which might be avoided by the +exercise of care on their part, and do not include any cases caused by +such negligence on the part of the person injured as should bar a +recovery. + + Herbert Janson, wife, daughter, son and George Griffith killed; + Morris Peck and Henry Blume injured, December 18, at 9:00 p.m., + while driving across the tracks at Haskell; caused by sleigh being + struck by engine running forty miles an hour. Headlight not + burning, as required by Rule 55. No flagman at this crossing at + night. + + H. S. Sorner, who was riding in an automobile across the tracks at + Morton, April 14, was struck by engine; automobile was demolished + but occupants not seriously injured. No gates or flagman at this + crossing. + + Jacob Reich and Elbert Harris struck and killed while driving on + 13th St., Montgomery, May 29, at 5:30 p.m., by engine. Gates up. + The piano wagon on which these men were riding was demolished as + well as the piano, and the horse killed. + + K. L. Manson, injured, rural mail carrier, struck by switch engine + No. 869, at Woodmont Ave., Custer, June 12. There are gates at + this crossing, but they had not been operated for a year on + account of being out of repair. + + Gertrude Schiff, aged sixteen years, and Gustave Schiff, aged + twenty years, were injured while driving across the tracks at + first crossing east of Granton, August 9, at 6:35 p.m., by being + struck by engine. No whistle was blown for the station and bell + not rung. The station employee, whose duty it was to be on the + crossing to flag same when trains were passing, had left there + only an instant before the accident in order to go to the station + house to assist in loading and unloading baggage for another + train. + + H. L. Connors, driving across the tracks near Lowell, November 18, + was struck by engine. No whistle sounded or bell rung for the + crossing. Whistling post not in right place. + + M. A. Graves, while crossing the tracks at 9th Avenue and Wilbert + street, Ontario, May 8, was struck by switch engine. No one on the + engine knew that the accident had occurred. + + Edward Langdon struck and killed by engine at 7:21 p.m., August + 6, at Water and Orchard streets, Berlin. No one on the engine knew + that an accident had occurred; train traveling twenty-five miles + an hour. Ordinance provides speed limit of twelve miles an hour; + gates at this crossing, but not in operation. If Rule 6 had been + complied with this accident would not have occurred. + + Wagon belonging to the Empire Novelty Company struck at Calkins at + 9:37 a.m., October 29; wagon and contents badly damaged. Flagman + at crossing claims to have been sick at the time of the accident, + was in his shanty sitting down. He could not speak or understand + English. Driver injured. + +Many of these crossing accidents occur and no one on the engine knows +that they happen. Whether it is because of the kind and position of +the headlight now used or because the men on the engine are not +keeping a proper lookout or by reason of the recent manner of +construction of the large engines, making it impossible for the men in +charge always to see an object on the track, I do not know, but I +notice that some of the Class G-9 engines have the air cylinder and +pump on top of the running board. While riding on a train the other +day, I asked an old runner whether they obstructed the view. His +answer was an object lesson. He took his hat and placed it in front of +the window opposite which I was riding and asked me if that obstructed +my view. The cylinder could, I think, be put on the tank and the pump +below the running board, which is now made wide enough to hold a +political meeting on. Formerly they were narrow, just wide enough for +a man to walk on, the old theory of construction being, as I +understand it, that there should be nothing protruding from the sides +of the boiler which would prevent the man in the cab seeing the +bunting beam. If it were practicable to so construct the running +boards and place air cylinders, pumps, etc., so that this could now be +done, the engineman would certainly have a much better chance to see, +and possibly some of these accidents be avoided. + +And while the public insist upon our running trains at a high rate of +speed and guarding the crossings with gates, flagmen, or warning +bells, they, at the same time, for some inexplicable as well as +unconscionable reason, attempt to hold railroads liable for all deaths +and injuries, no matter how great the care and foresight the companies +have exercised, or how gross the neglect of the injured party. It +therefore behooves us to do everything possible to prevent such +accidents, not only that we may thereby save life, but also money. + +If gatemen and flagmen were uniformed and given authority to arrest +persons crossing the track when gates are down and a penalty provided +and enforced against people attempting to cross or walk upon a +railroad track when the gates are down or they are warned by a +flagman, accidents at crossings would be greatly reduced. As it is now +the public compels the erection of the gates and then almost +universally disregards them. + +Before leaving this subject of accidents at highway crossings I want +to call attention to Rule 12, which says that when cars are being +pushed by an engine (except when shifting or making up trains in +yards) a flagman must be on the leading car, and Rule 9, which +requires that when cars are being switched over highway or street +railway crossings a man must be stationed on the ground to act as +flagman. Too much importance cannot be placed upon the observance of +these rules, not occasionally, but always. If employees would comply +with them fewer people would be injured. Try it and see. + +In municipalities, run as slowly and carefully as you can and see that +the engine bell is always ringing. Rule 3. Freight trains in going +through stations should reduce their speed and do so under control, as +per Rule 6. The fireman, as well as the engineman, should be on his +seat keeping a lookout, and not engaged in waving a signal to some one +on another train or elsewhere, or putting in a fire, and the engineman +should see that he does this. On the double track when you are going +to meet another train at a crossing, try to get the engine over the +highway before the tail end of the other train gets by it. If you +can't do that, slow up a little, so as to give the people who may be +waiting a chance to see you, and, if you think there is danger, open +your whistle to let them know that you are coming; that is what the +whistle is for. + +In the country be sure to sound the whistle; not once, but four times +as required by Rule 2, and see that the bell is kept ringing until the +crossing is passed, at dangerous and obscure crossings where you can +neither see the travelers approaching nor they you; if you are running +at a high rate of speed, sound the whistle before you get to the post, +as well as at it. The law requiring the giving of this warning eighty +rods from the highway was enacted when few trains exceeded twenty-five +miles an hour. Now, when few passenger trains make less than forty, +and many over seventy, in the open country, so little time elapses +between the sounding of the whistle and the reaching of the highway +that when possible more timely notice should be given. + +And I want to say here that one of the difficulties met with in this +class of cases, is the fact that sometimes engineers fail to blow the +whistle and ring the bell, and as long as men are human I suppose such +things will happen; but let us commence now and try to do it every +time. The greater the storm of rain, snow, or wind, the denser the +fog, or the darker the night, the more important it is to give the +warning. In most of the states the law provides penalties for failure +to sound whistle or bell. Some day they will be enforced. + +If there is any way to discover whether the engineman and trainmen are +observing the signals, which are located along the track for the +protection of the passengers, other employees, travelers on the +highways, themselves, and the property in their care, other than +having inspectors observe their action on approaching signals, and +ascertain if they give the required warning of their approach to +highway crossings, etc., and you will advise the managements what it +is, I am sure they will be glad to adopt such a plan. It has always +been customary to have auditors examine the accounts of officers and +agents handling money to see that not only are their accounts correct, +that the money collected is remitted, but also to ascertain if the +business of the company is done in accordance with the rules and a +correct record kept of the transactions. No one for an instant thinks +that the fact that the officers' and agents' accounts are examined is +any discredit to them; most of us are not only willing but anxious +that it should be done, as it is a protection to us as well as to the +company. And if it is necessary to check up the officers and agents +who handle money, is it not much more necessary to check up men who +handle human beings and property of immense value, to see that they +observe signals and rules before, instead of after, an accident? + +And as it sometimes happens that an engineman will not notice that his +headlight has gone out, especially when there is snow on the ground, +any employee who sees an engine moving after dark without the +headlight burning should stop it and tell the engineman; if you can't +do it yourself call up the train dispatcher, so he can do it at the +next station. + + +TRESPASSERS + +Occasionally we have an accident in which trespassers are killed or +injured while walking or playing on the tracks, which might be avoided +by greater care and watchfulness to discover their danger, by warning +them of the approaching train, either by continuous sounding of the +whistle, by slowing up, or by stopping when you have reason to think +they do not know a train is coming, especially on the double track +when trains are moving on both tracks. The most heartrending of them +all are injuries to children, and, sometimes, to women. + +Let me cite you several of such cases: + + Albert Jennings, ten years old, was sitting on the tracks north of + Lampton, July 9, at 10:45 a.m., where he was struck by a work + train of twenty-two empty flats backing north and both legs + crushed. Air not coupled in as required by Rule 44; no hand brakes + on the cars. Conductor was on the front car; claims he was keeping + a lookout, and although he had a clear view for over a quarter of + a mile says he did not see the boy until he was within three or + four car lengths of him. + + Charles West, aged eighteen months, struck and killed 1,000 feet + south of Savannah Station, June 16, by train. Child came on track + through a break in the right of way fence. + + Margaret Kennedy, struck and killed on June 13, at 6:10 p.m., + while walking on the tracks inside the city limits of Utopia, by + engine running about twenty-five miles an hour; although the + engineman saw her in time to have stopped, he did not realize that + she did not see or hear the train coming, and failed to do so. + + Mrs. Helen Boston, eighty-four years old, struck and killed on a + bridge near Lenox, September 1, at 4:35 p.m., by engine. Track is + straight for about two miles and a half east of place of accident, + and the woman wore a bright pink dress skirt. No one on the engine + knew the accident had happened. + + December 21, engine ran over G. P. Krauss, at 5:40 p.m., a quarter + of a mile south of Slazenger. Engineman says he saw something + lying on the track and thought it was a bough of evergreen. He did + not know until he reached the station that anybody had been struck. + +As the traffic and population increase, cases of this kind grow in +number, and, for some unknown reason, the public think that, while +they must keep off the property of private individuals, where there is +no danger, they are privileged to go onto a railroad track where +everyone knows there is great danger, and after doing so a few times, +the courts say they have a license to do so, and that we must look out +for them and see that they don't get hurt. On the same theory I +suppose the courts would say after a man burglarizes your house six or +seven times that he has a license to try it again, and if he gets hurt +because too much force was used in throwing him out, that you must +respond in damages. So when you discover that people, old or young, +are making a custom of walking through the yards or on the track, +report it to your superintendent before, not after, someone is killed +or injured, and he will try to stop it. And if you find a child or a +drunken man on the track, drive him off, because if you don't they are +likely to get killed; and your company will not only back you up but +thank you for your thoughtfulness. + + +INJURIES TO OUTSIDERS + +Rule 27 says that cars must be placed so as not to project over +highway crossings, and yet any one going over a railroad will see any +number of them so left, and the result is that about once in so often +a wagon strikes a car in an attempt to get across, a horse is +frightened, and a runaway results, someone is hurt, and money paid to +settle the claim. + + A serious case of this kind occurred at Warburton, July 9, in + which Mrs. Jansen was fatally injured, caused by her horse being + frightened by a freight car which was left standing fifteen feet + in the highway, the end of the car being on the crossing plank. + Horse ran away and she was thrown out. + +When cars are left in such position they not only frighten horses and +cause accidents similar to the one last mentioned, but also obstruct +the view of approaching trains. Both the law and rules of the company +prohibit this, and the practice should be stopped. + +And right here I want to call attention to Rule 32, which prohibits +engines standing within 100 feet of a highway crossing, under a +bridge, or near cars occupied by passengers, when it can be avoided, +and yet the rule is so often disregarded that one wonders whether any +one knows of its existence. Especially is this so with engines hauling +passenger trains stopping at stations and occupying half of the +highway, when they could just as conveniently be back some distance +from it. + +The stoppage of trains with the rear car standing in the highway +should also be avoided so far as possible, particularly in the winter +time, when there is always more or less steam leaking from the hose, +as it is likely to frighten horses waiting to get by or in crossing +the track. + +Rules 18 and 50 say that trains must not block highway crossings more +than five minutes. The failure to observe these rules is the cause of +as much, if not more, criticism and profanity on the part of the +public than almost any other one thing that train and switchmen do. No +one but the person who is waiting to get across the track, and +sometimes it is a doctor answering an emergency call, can realize how +tantalizing and annoying it is, so, for goodness sake, observe the +rules in the future. + + +LOCK TURNTABLES + +Turntables should be locked (that is what Rule 31 says), and yet they +are often left unlocked. The result is that children are attracted to +the place, and sooner or later one of the little ones gets hurt as did +the following, which are cited as examples: + + Anthony Young, a ten-year-old boy, had his foot caught at + Grandison, March 30, while playing on turntable which was + unlocked. + + Phillip Chartres, eight years old, injured at Alvin, August 14, + 2:30 p.m., while playing on turntable, which is about 1,400 feet + north of roundhouse. Turntable was not locked. + +Now, it wouldn't take but an instant to lock the turntable. Why not do +it and prevent some child, perhaps your own, from going through life a +cripple? + +Be careful not to leave any torpedoes around that are not attached to +the rail, as required by Rule 7, and never put them on a rail in a +highway; if you do children may pick them up and in playing with them +get injured as did + + John Newton, aged nine years, June 30, about two miles north of + Walker. This little boy with his sister and another boy were + returning from school, walking along the track. They picked up a + torpedo lying alongside the track, and after trying to open it + with a knife young Newton placed the torpedo on the rail and + struck it with a stone, the torpedo exploded and pieces of the tin + striking him in the eyes and face, badly injuring him. + + +DAMAGE BY FIRE TO ADJACENT PROPERTY + +One of the great risks that every railroad that uses coal for fuel +runs is the risk of fire to adjacent property started by sparks or +ashes from engines. Any man running an engine ought to know from the +sparks thrown out and fires started whether the engine is in good or +bad order. Rule 29 says that the enginemen must report defects in +netting and ash pans; this is required so that if the inspector +overlooks the defect, or if one occurs between the regular +inspections, it will be remedied before any damage is done, and if an +engine is throwing more fire than she ought to, it is up to the +engineer to report it and get it fixed. It will take less time than to +make a report about the fire and condition of the engine, and, at the +same time save both the owner of the property and the company a loss. +In the lumber and sawmill country it is especially important that this +be done, and where engines are working in or around sawmills, lumber +yards, powder and tie plants, and other places where danger of fire is +great, the apparatus for preventing the escape of fire should be +absolutely perfect, and it ought to be the personal business of the +engineman to know that fact; he should be present when the inspection +is made, and see that it is done thoroughly, the same as he would if +he and not the company had to foot the bill if the engine started a +fire. + +On the outlying divisions where traffic is light and trains are few, +if an engine starts a fire, stop and put it out. If conditions are +such that you can't do that with safety, drop a note off to the first +section crew or agent, so that they can send men out to extinguish the +fire. If you don't the Lord only knows where it may run to (on the +western prairies I have known it to go twenty-five miles) or how much +damage it will do in the lumber country. + +If the precautions suggested here, which are neither new nor original, +but can be found in the rules and on the bulletin boards, had been +adopted, none of the following cases would have occurred: + + June 3, engine No. 2041 started a fire at Hansel & Woods Company's + powder plant at Myron Valley; netting on this engine was in bad + order; the hood provided by the company to be placed over the + smokestacks of engines going into the plant of this company also + in bad condition. + + A house and contents burned April 20, one-half mile south of Fort + Andrew, started by engine No. 1759. This engine was inspected and + reported to be in good condition, but upon re-examination was + found to be defective. + + On August 17, engine No. 539 set out three fires between Selkirk + and Belmont. Fires were observed by train crew, but train was not + stopped, and no effort was made to extinguish the fires, which + burned over 15,000 acres of ground, destroyed about 1,100 tons of + hay in stack, one building, a large acreage of winter feed, fence + posts, etc. + + +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THE CARELESSNESS OF OTHER EMPLOYEES + +And, first, as in the case of passengers, those caused by collisions. +From the number of collisions on the main track and in yards one would +almost think that the general and fundamental customs and rules on +railroads that "In case of doubt always adopt the safe course," and +that "Speed must always be sacrificed to safety" were seldom observed; +on the contrary, I believe it to be the exception and not the rule, +else the number of accidents resulting from such failure, though many +times what they should be (and as long as men are human we will have +some accidents), would be so much greater in number that people would +be unwilling to travel at all. I believe that in the near future the +number of such cases will be so greatly reduced that the least +thoughtful of us will stand aghast at the record of 1904 and 1905, and +that these fundamental rules and the instructions contained in what +are known as the "Flag Rules" and "Caution Card," will be so strictly +observed and enforced _and that blocking of trains by space_, not +time, intervals will become so general as to practically eliminate +this class of accidents, which are caused: + +By failure to watch for and observe block and other signals. + +By trains following each other too closely. + +By trains following at too high a rate of speed. + +By failure to protect trains stopped on the main track. + +By cars not being left in to clear at sidings. + +By switches being left wrong. + +By lack of caution in time of storm or fog; and + +By general carelessness and failure to realize the terrible result +which is bound to follow any lack of care, failure to comply with the +rules and _the uncertainty of detection and punishment if such +carelessness and failure to comply with rules does not cause an +accident_. + +Every man in the train, engine, and switching service ought to have +every requirement of these rules by heart, understand exactly what +they mean, and be ready at any instant, and in any weather, to execute +them to the letter, and no punishment should be too severe for failure +to observe them to the very letter, for on their faithful observance +depend the lives of passengers--it may be some of your own loved +ones--of employees, and the safety of the property entrusted to the +companies for transportation, as well as their own. And yet, if the +instructions contained in the two fundamental rules and those known as +the "Flag Rules" had been observed, none of the following cases and +many others that help fill the records and the daily press would have +happened. It is a standing disgrace that such accidents happen, and +the sooner employees help get the careless and reckless men and the +drones out of the service, as it is your duty to yourself and the +companies to do, the quicker the traveling public, yourselves, the +property in transit, and that belonging to your employer and +yourselves, will be safe and the greater your certainty of getting to +the end of your run to be welcomed by the wife and children awaiting +you. + +In this connection I want to suggest to the enginemen that when you +discover a cause for the sending out of a flagman give him a chance to +go back before you get stopped, so that he can cover the required +distance quicker. And as these rules are among the most important, if +not the most important, in the book, I call especial attention to +them. + +The following cases will illustrate how much room there is for +improvement in this regard: + + Joseph Atkinson, brakeman, injured September 26, at Muggleton. He + was standing on top of way-car in train which stopped just west of + the depot and then started up and ran into side of freight train. + + Alexander Peabody, engineer, George F. Smivins, fireman, injured + at 10 p.m., October 3, on track 3, near Penryn Ave., Peltonville; + engine No. 784 was backing down track 3, and collided with engine + No. 1891 standing on that track. Instructions require engines + running on this track must run at slow rate of speed, so as to be + able to stop within their vision. The engine was running so fast + that it could not stop, although Engineer Peabody saw engine No. + 1891 when 300 feet distant. + + J. L. McPherson, yardmaster, and Jacob Gonorowski, brakeman, + injured at Peeweezle, July 28, were in caboose of extra engine No. + 674, which was stopping for drawbridge, when engine No. 937, + Engineman Isidore Guggenheimer, ran into the rear of train. + + Luke M. Peters, engineer, injured April 14 at Aromintap, was in + charge of engine No. 2143, backing around Y, when train No. 31 + backed into extra No. 7326, to which engine No. 2143 was attached. + + L. P. Jarvis, engineer, and Samuel Minns, fireman, injured + November 20, at 7:15 a.m., one-half mile east of Peeble's Corners; + engine No. 759 had just backed in on side track with work train, + and switch had not yet been closed; engine No. 1473, train No. 48, + Engineer Tibbits, Conductor Perry, came along at a high rate of + speed, and ran into this open switch just east of the home signal, + colliding with engine No. 759. + + February 14, at 8:20 p.m., one mile north of Indianapolis, Ohio + division, extra freight engine, Packard conductor, collided with + Ohio division passenger train No. 11. This freight train had an + order to run from Indianapolis to Cameron as an extra. Indiana + division passenger train 141, due at Indianapolis at 8 p.m., was + 15 minutes late. Conductor Packard of the extra was on station + platform when this train pulled in. He supposed it was Ohio + division No. 11 and so told his engineer, and pulled out and met + No. 11 a mile from the station. Two engineers and one fireman were + killed and five trainmen injured. If Rule 53 requiring conductors + and engineers of trains at meeting points to ascertain by word of + mouth what trains they are had been complied with accident would + have been avoided. + + Nov. 5 freight train No. 52 slowed down to take side track at Park + Rapids when extra freight moving in same block, on caution card, + ran into caboose and rear brakeman was killed. If Rules 7, 14 or + 15 had been complied with accident would not have occurred. + +Rule 12a says: When you get a train order the conductors must read it +aloud and then sign it and show it to the engineman, the rear brakeman +or flagman, and the engineman must show it to the fireman and in case +of freight train to the head brakeman, who are required to read it, +the object being that every employee on the train will know what the +order is and if the engineman or conductor forget it the brakeman or +fireman may remember and by remembering prevent an accident. + + +DERAILMENTS + +Next come injuries caused by derailments, which generally result from +running into open switches, off derails, too fast running at bad +places in the track, defective equipment or track. Nearly all of the +cases would be avoided by careful running, proper inspection of track +and equipment, and by compliance with the rules. + + Oct. 21. 10 a.m. Passenger train 41 derailed near Venice while + running around a reverse curve fifty miles an hour. Engineer + killed; fireman and twenty passengers injured. + + April 27. Way car jumped track at middle lead switch in Pewaukee + yard and switchman Jno. Williams killed; Jas. Grant and Robert + Riley injured. + + Lemuel Izzard and L. Wackles, killed; R. P. Bownes, engineman, + Roderick Bloke, stockman, Robert Castel, fireman, C. Plympton, + brakeman, injured, four miles west of Beadleston, July 24. Train + No. 36 had broken air hose or axle, derailing and throwing third + car from engine onto westbound track just as train No. 98 was + coming. Train No. 98 ran into derailed car and 14 cars of time + freight burned up. Izzard and Wackles were stealing a ride on + train No. 36. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT + +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by defects in the +equipment, especially in that of freight cars and engines. They are of +such frequent occurrence as to no longer attract attention, but when +the time comes _that the man who inspects reports not to the foreman, +whose duty it is to keep the equipment in repair, but to a superior, +whose duty it is to find defects_, there will be a material reduction +in such cases. Train and enginemen should report defects discovered by +them on Form 995 and attach card to truss rod of car or locomotive +tank. And first we will take up those caused by defective cars: + + J. I. Smindorf, brakeman, killed at Snook's Junction, by falling + from car, September 8, at 7:40 p.m. The running board was rotten + and full of holes; the brake at the north end of the car would not + hold on account of having a loose ratchet wheel. + + P. L. Merritt, conductor, injured at Pencost, November 12, was + climbing down side of car; screw pulled out of top handhold, + allowing Merritt to fall to the ground, striking on a rail. + + Randolph Smuck, brakeman, injured at Parrott, April 3, was going + down side car; stirrup was gone and he fell to the ground. + + Matthew Brummage, switchman, injured January 4, at Keewahtah, was + riding on car which was being switched; he tightened the brake, + but the dog was in bad order and he had to hold brake with his + hand. There was two inches of slack on the bottom brake rod, the + chain slipped, and he was thrown from the car and his left foot + run over. + +How many of the accidents caused by defective running boards, +handholds, ladders and brakes would have been avoided had Rules 25, +26, and 28, requiring trainmen to examine cars, brakes, and ladders +and to set out bad order cars been complied with, I leave you to +guess. And why when such defects are discovered by train and yard men +they do not report them to the next crew taking the car, so as to +prevent any of the latter being injured, I never could understand. + +One cause of the great increase in accidents by trains breaking in two +and by defective couplers is probably on account of the fact that many +of the automatic couplers are commencing to wear out and are not +repaired or renewed promptly enough, and, also, because the levers and +chains of the coupling apparatus do not receive sufficient attention. +Another reason is because of the unnecessarily hard usage given the +couplers, especially in the yards where trains are made up. Just why +an appliance to save life and limb should be abused by the employees, +for whose benefit it was put on the cars and engines, is one of the +things which it would take a mind-reader to answer. But the truth of +the matter is, as every experienced adjuster knows, that the automatic +coupler has cost the railroads for equipment and freight damaged many +times over what it cost them to settle claims for personal injuries +caused by the old link and pin coupler; and when the brotherhoods take +up such matters as this and try to remedy them, they will not have so +many crippled members drawing insurance for permanent disabilities, +which would have been avoided by the proper handling of cars. + +Another class of injuries which has come with the safety appliance is +that caused by the bursting of air hose, and it is surprising how many +of them there are. + +Some day a man will get up a hose which won't burst, or which will +give notice of its intention so to do, and we will all rise up and +bless him. The following are samples taken from a job lot of such +cases: + + G. A. Graham, conductor, injured June 4, three-quarters of a mile + north of Bogle; caused by air hose on car bursting, causing Graham + to fall against stove in way-car. + + K. L. Grobbet, brakeman, injured one mile north of Brandon; caused + by the air hose bursting, throwing on emergency brakes. This man, + who was in front end of way-car, was thrown to the ground. + +Now let us see the result to persons by reason of improper loading of +cars: + + R. Puddles, switchman, injured at Grammaton, March 4, was hanging + on side of car loaded with lumber, engineman shut off suddenly, + and when car stopped the lumber slid and caught his hand between + lumber and stake on car. Lumber was loaded in two piles 16 ft. + lengths, leaving a space of about six or eight inches between the + piles. + + George Brownell, brakeman, injured July 17, one and one-half miles + south of Cranton. At Cranton train extra, picked up a car loaded + with logs; two stake pockets broke; logs fell under way-car, which + tipped over. + +And it is just as important to properly unload packages of newspapers +and mail from moving trains, and to exercise a little care in throwing +coal from engines, as it is to see that freight is securely loaded. +The number of accidents caused in this way since the running of the +fast mail and newspaper trains commenced would fill a book and could +all have been avoided by the exercise of that care which employees or +postal clerks would have exercised if they, instead of the company, +had to foot the bills caused by their carelessness. To me, it seems +not a difficult or unreasonable precaution to look, before you throw +out a heavy bag of mail or half a dozen packages of newspapers, to see +that no one will be hit by them, and that they could and should be +dropped just beyond the far end of the station platform, but never in +a street or public highway; and don't throw your clinker bars or ash +bars off engines, or anything else for that matter, without looking to +see if anyone is passing and when through with them put them in a safe +place so they won't project and strike anyone on the next track or +fall off and injure someone. If this had been done cases like the +following would not have happened: + + Henry Forbes, roadmaster, injured November 3, at Marionette, was + walking west on station platform, when mail sack was thrown from + train struck him on the legs and knocked him down. + + Paul Rhelips, injured at Dragitt, May 15, at 5:30 p.m.; caused by + his being struck with a block of hard wood which was tied to a + letter thrown from train by the baggageman, while passing through + the station at 45 miles per hour. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ENGINES + +During the last two years there has been an epidemic of accidents +caused by defective grate-shaking rigging and defective shoveling +sheets on engines, especially of the former. A few years ago they were +practically unknown. Now they come so often as to create no remark. +The following cases will demonstrate the necessity either of some +different apparatus for shaking grates of engines, of greater care in +using the apparatus, or of some better method of inspection and repair: + + A. G. Kenly, fireman, injured near Windermere; caused by the + shovel which he was using catching on the shoveling sheet of + engine No. 418. + + James Cooney, fireman, injured June 19, in Caster yard, was + shaking grates on engine No. 917, and connecting rod broke, + catching his hand between shaker rod and quadrant. + + H. D. Porter, fireman, injured near Mansfield, May 10; caused by + grate rod breaking as he was shaking the grates on engine No. 1280. + +Next we come to a class of accidents which is also on the increase and +which is of comparatively recent origin, and which, I believe, could +and should be absolutely prevented by the exercise of a little +mechanical ingenuity or which, even under present conditions of engine +construction, would be avoided by greater care on the part of the +engineman. And some day when an injector breaks or a blow-off cock is +opened as some mechanical superintendent is passing an engine, and his +legs are scalded, I will bet my next month's salary against an 1899 +bird nest that they will find a way to prevent such injuries, which +are as painful as they are unnecessary and expensive, either by +putting the blow-off cocks under or on top of the engines, instead of +having them project from the side. + + W. P. Willard, engineman, injured July 22, 4 miles west of + Janesville; injector on engine No. 4618 broke, and Willard was + scalded about face and head. + + Henry Jennings, conductor, injured October 1, at 5:55 p.m., north + of Rathburn; was walking by engine, engineman started the injector + and threw hot water on Jennings. + + Edward Sterns, night engine inspector, injured at Granby + roundhouse, January 12, at 8:45 p.m.; he told engine dispatcher to + open valve to see if sand was running properly; dispatcher opened + the blow-off cock instead of sand valve, and steam and hot water + scalded Sterns' right hand and leg. + +Every year a number of accidents occur to employees caused by defects +in engines and appliances furnished enginemen, nearly all of which +could and should be avoided if there was a more thorough inspection, +greater care taken in repairs and, what is just as necessary, more +care taken by enginemen in reporting defects; and when you report +defects, and repairs are not made, call the attention of your master +mechanic or division roundhouse foreman to the matter and I doubt not +that not only will the defects be repaired but greater pains will be +taken in the future to see that your engine is kept in good condition. + + William Curbin, stripper, injured at Elmwood shops on the 10th of + March, was taking boiler front off engine No. 3461; removed all + bolts except one, and while waiting for crane to be attached to + the door to lift it away, the door fell on Curbin's leg, who was + standing on the pilot beam of engine. Investigation showed that + the bolt which had not been removed, and which had been left to + hold door, was a "dummy." + + G. M. Cramer, fireman, injured, September 9, at Huntingdon, was + climbing up on cab of engine No. 784, to get coal chute down, when + brake released, and on account of leaky throttle, engine started + back, and caught his leg between cab of engine and chute. + + J. B. Olsen, fireman, overcome by heat on engine No. 941; caused + by absence of lagging on side of engine. + + M. H. Woodrow, engineman, and Douglas Evans, fireman, injured half + mile east of Peverly, June 19, caused by whistle valve on engine + No. 2605 becoming stuck, they being unable to fix it, and they + were almost deafened by the continuous whistling. Whistle had been + reported on the trip before by the engineman, but was not + repaired. + + Henry Winterson, a boiler washer, injured on May 15, at Kendrick, + was using a 4-ft. nozzle to wash out boiler of an engine, when the + collar of nozzle came off, and he was thrown against cab of + engine, injuring his back. + +The thought has often occurred to me that if the master mechanic or +some one other than the foreman, whose duty it is to inspect and +repair, would check up the work slips Form No. 141 and inspection +records to see that the repairs called for on them were made, we would +not have so many engine failures or accidents of this kind. + +Before leaving the subject of engines I want to say a few words about +accidents caused by the breaking of lubricator glasses and water +gauges; they grow more frequent every year and until somebody invents +something to take the place of glass--possibly the celluloid glass now +used on automobiles may be available--which will not burst, as you +value your eyesight, which becomes more necessary every day as the +number, speed of trains, and signals increase, carry the shields, +which the company has provided for your, not its, protection, over the +glass, not in your seat box as many enginemen do now, and then when +the glass breaks, and no one can tell when it will do so, there is +little danger of your vision being impaired or lost by your eyes being +struck by flying particles of glass. + + +DEFECTIVE SCAFFOLDS, DERRICKS, ETC. + +Accidents caused by use of defective derricks, scaffolds, and the +careless handling of derricks are comparatively new and are one of the +recent surprises in the business. I venture to say that the companies +have paid out during the last 18 months in the investigation and +settlement of accidents caused by defective scaffolds enough money, +not only to furnish the most approved scaffold now known, but to +nickel plate them as well. The following cases will show what is going +on in this way: + + R. B. Babcock, bridgeman, injured at Ferncliff, a mile and a half + north of Whiteston, Jan. 14, while standing near derrick mast, + which was being raised and put in position on abutment; the mast + suddenly slipped, and knocked this man off the abutment to + concrete foundation 34 feet below, breaking his leg in two places + and his arm, and bruising his hip. + + H. R. Roberts, bridgeman, killed near Red Creek, March 4, at 11 + a.m.; derrick car in rounding curve an attempt was made to swing + the boom of derrick to outside of curve, but it suddenly swung + over to the other side of car and tipped the derrick car over; + Roberts was standing on front end of car and jumped, falling back + onto the track, and the derrick tender, which did not leave the + track, ran over him. A 2x4 cleat, nailed on side of mast to hold + sling-lines in place came off, allowing ropes, which control + swinging of boom, to slacken so that movement of boom could not be + controlled. + + B. H. Jackson, seriously injured at Leicester, Dec. 30; caused by + the plank on which he was standing, used for scaffolding, slipping + out of the hooks, on account of its being covered with ice and + snow, and allowing him to fall 15 ft. to the ground. + +Within the last few years injuries caused by defective jacks and drop +cables, which, when I commenced to investigate accidents, were +unknown, have become very frequent. I mention the following to show +what they are. All of them would have been prevented by proper +inspection--not by inspections made to find things O.K., but by +inspections made to find defects; and if not made for that purpose +they had better be discontinued. + + L. M. Lumpkins, section foreman, injured Feb. 20, at Graves; he + was helping car repairer, and had jacked up a car in order to move + the trucks, but when ready to let the car down the jack would not + work, and all at once gave way, and Lumpkins was struck on the + head by the lever and knocked down, injuring him. + + R. J. Hopkins, laborer, injured June 22, at Osazi, was giving + signals to have train, loaded with ties, moved, when cable broke + and hit him in the face. + +In the same category, while perhaps not of the same class, come +accidents at coal chutes and water tanks, roundhouses, stations, and +other places. Had inspectors, repairmen and employees using the +appliances, done as they would have done if the loss occasioned by +neglect was to be theirs, none of the following accidents would have +happened: + + Will Flanigan, cinder pitman, injured May 21, at Cranby shops, was + raising cinder bucket with hoist; chain broke, and the bucket fell + on his foot. + + Frank Hogan, fireman, injured in Colby yard, March 16; had just + finished coaling engine and pushed up lever to shut off the coal, + when the pulley, over which cable works, dropped and struck him on + the head. + + W. R. Brady, fireman, injured at Quarton, June 1; was standing on + tank of engine to take water; rope was frozen and coiled up and he + could not reach it; got the ash hoe and caught the rope and pulled + the spout down; when it was part way down it fell and struck Brady + in the back. + + D. W. Dalmann, operator and leverman, injured Aug. 12, at Hampton; + was in interlocking plant throwing distant signal, when chain + connecting lever with counterbalance weight broke and he was + thrown to the floor. + + Stanley Lord, freight brakeman, injured at Rembrandt, May 20; was + unloading freight from a car; the skid which was being used was + broken off at one end, causing it to slip, and allowing Lord and + the boxes to fall to the ground, injuring Lord. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FLOORS, PLATFORMS, ETC. + +Another class of accidents which might also be avoided is that caused +by defective floors and platforms in roundhouses and at stations, the +failure to keep tools in repair, lack of light, and failure to +properly secure lights on switches. While, fortunately, they are not +so great in number, yet they go to swell the total, as well as the +expense, and ought to be cut out, as they could be with proper care +and supervision. + + L. N. Corbey, brakeman, injured at Calton, Nov. 28; went into coal + shed to get coal for caboose. In coming out he stepped on a broken + board in the floor of coal shed and sprained his left knee and + left hand. + + H. L. Minturn, injured at Acworth, Jan. 16, while running to throw + a switch, he ran into a three-throw switch upon which there was no + light. + + Jacob Paley, boiler-maker helper, injured July 11, at Hinsdale; + was striking punch knocking out rivet; the punch came off the + handle and struck him in the eye. + + A. D. Yarrow, injured April 3, at Alberon, while throwing switch + near roundhouse, the switch light fell and struck him on the head. + + Albert Kaufmann, machinist helper, injured July 6, at Hamburg; was + in roundhouse working near dynamo belt, which became unlaced and + loose end of belt came round and struck him on the left arm. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY OBSTRUCTIONS + +Next in order, I wish to call your attention to accidents caused by +overhead obstructions, drawbars, lumber, poles, cinders, and other +obstructions left too near the rail, holes and trenches left +uncovered, and failure to block guard-rails and frogs, etc. Everybody +is or should be familiar with Rules 45 and 49, which require blocking +of frogs and guard-rails and a clear space of six feet from the rail, +and yet one would sometimes think, from the appearance of some yards, +side tracks and switches, that the rules, like the midnight closing +ordinance, were dead letters. It, however, is the intention and desire +of the managements that they, like all other rules, should be +enforced, and no one is so much interested in that enforcement as the +train and yard men, who work in the yards and on side tracks and +switches. If they had been observed, or if their non-observance had +been reported by the men who must have known of their violation, none +of the following accidents would have occurred: + + P. B. Montgomery, brakeman, fatally injured at Mason, while + attempting to uncouple car G., P. & A. No. 593 from O., M. & C. + No. 1783; chain on pin being broken; blocking gone from + guard-rail. + + John Lenahan, switchman, killed at Juniper, June 4; footboard of + switch engine on which he was riding struck a telephone pole lying + in the grass alongside the track, throwing Lenahan under the + engine. + + P. D. Kendrick, brakeman, injured at Bentley, Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.; + was riding on the side of a box car, when he was struck by a spike + sticking in a board, which was part of the fence around the cellar + which was being excavated for the new depot at Bentley. It was + necessary to amputate two fingers of Kendrick's right hand, his + right leg, and he also received a very bad scalp wound. + + Peter Alton, brakeman, was climbing up the side of A., B. & C. car + No. 2843, at Hackley, when he was struck and knocked off the car + by a highway crossing sign at that place, and so badly injured + that it was necessary to amputate both his legs below the knee, + and his right shoulder blade was also broken. This crossing sign + cleared this car only 2 ft. + + K. G. Purdy, switchman, killed in Walton yards, Dec. 10; caused by + his being knocked off the top of a car by the Avery Street viaduct + and run over and killed. + +I want to call especial attention to the Alton, Montgomery, Purdy and +Kendrick cases. In the former the crossing sign had been in the same +place for over 20 years. The man who put it there, roadmasters, and +section foremen, who should have discovered its dangerous proximity to +the track and moved it to a safe distance, the one required by Rule +49, were grossly careless, and the injured man and other trainmen who +had passed it daily for years must have discovered that it was too +close to the track, and if they had reported it, as they should have +done, this accident would not have happened, and they were blamable +for not doing so. In the Montgomery case the section foreman was at +fault for not properly blocking the frog, as required by Rule 45, the +roadmaster for not seeing it was done, and the car inspector and +repairer for not discovering that the coupling apparatus was defective +and repairing it. In the Purdy case the management was at fault for +not seeing that warning whips were up for the viaduct--they are now; +and in the Kendrick case the man who hung up the lamp too close to the +track to warn people, instead of making it a protection, increased the +danger, and the division engineer who allowed it to be done was +inexcusably careless. Such cases not only swell the total number, but +account in a large measure for the total increase in personal injury +accounts of the railroads. + +Section foremen do not seem to realize the importance of examining the +whip guards for overhead obstructions every time they pass them to see +that they are in proper position and if not, pull them down with the +hook provided for that purpose. If the roadmasters would be more +particular to see that this is done we would have fewer accidents of +this kind in the future. + +And in removing hand cars in yards, place them far enough away from +the rails so that a man riding on the side of a freight car won't be +struck by them, as happened to + + A. T. Swanson, brakeman, injured at Tracy, Aug. 30; he was hanging + on the side of a car, and was struck by the handle of a hand car, + which had been left too near to clear a man on a car. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS OF ENGINEMEN + +I shall next call your attention to accidents caused by carelessness +of enginemen which should not have happened and with proper care and +thoughtfulness will not occur in the future: + + George Bowman, engineman, killed at Holstein, on Sept. 9; caused + by engine running off the track, this being the end of the road, + and the first time Bowman or any of the crew on the train, other + than one brakeman, had been over the line. A section foreman, who + was sent along as pilot, claims to have told Bowman when he came + to the Y, north of the depot, but Bowman paid no attention to the + warning, and made no effort to stop. This engineman had been on + duty for 14 hours when he got to Creever, at about 12 o'clock + midnight, and asked for 8 hours' sleep, but was sent out again in + four hours and a half. + + Michael O'Neill, turntable man, injured Oct 17, at Patten; he was + pushing turntable with engine on it, and while doing so engine ran + off before he got it to the stall where it was to go in; struck + him on left shoulder. + + Ralph Burnham, rear brakeman, train No. 55, seriously injured at + Bradley, night of Dec. 21, by being caught between the tender of + engine No. 641 and the mail car. This man was standing on east + side of track and started to cross over to the west side to help + couple the air, steam hose and whistle. He knew the engine was + coming back, but owing to the amount of steam escaping from it did + not realize it was so close, and before he could get over was + caught. The steam was escaping from the steam hose at the back of + the tender. It is customary for some engineers to have this steam + blowing off as they are backing up to make couplings; others shut + off the steam, as when it is blowing off it is almost impossible + for the brakeman to see. Why should not all enginemen shut it off? + +In a double track district, if you are running on the wrong track and +there are any section men working on the track or employees or others +walking or running on the track, you should act upon the theory that +even if they know you are coming they will think you are on the track +usually occupied, and until you know that they actually understand the +conditions you must be prepared to stop in time to prevent injuring +them. And if two trains are passing on the double track and there is +anyone around, don't let it be your fault that an injury occurs +because ample warning was not given of the approach of two trains +instead of one. + + John Cooper, section laborer, struck and killed by engine No. + 1564, April 16, at 9:00 a.m., near Steuben, while working on the + track, cleaning the crossing, engine was running on south-bound + track. Although running on the wrong track, engineman is unable to + say whether or not he whistled for the crossing. No one on the + engine saw the man. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY MOVING CARS ON OR UNDER WHICH MEN ARE WORKING + +Injuries caused by the moving of cars being iced or on or under which +men are working seem to me of a class so inexcusable as to merit the +discharge of the party at fault. Think how you would feel if you or +your boy was under, on, or in, a car with a flag out and someone moved +the car without notice and you or he was run over. The following are a +few such cases: + + Philip Elder, car cleaner, injured at Armstrong, July 5; caused by + train being moved by switch engine while he was on the ladder + filling the water cooler. + + Patrick Connelly, car repairer, injured Nov. 29, at Falesburg, was + under end of car on repair track; Switchman Moody backed train No. + 27 on No. 5 track, and cars did not clear coach No. 368; it struck + the car under which Connelly was working, moving it about 10 ft. + and dragging Connelly, who caught hold of brake-beam. Flag out as + required by Rule 1. + + A. F. Brown, car cleaner, injured at Perryville yards, May 3, at + 10:00 a.m., was working in smoker No. 762; engine No. 37 coupled + onto the car and pushed it down track and it collided with some + other cars, knocking this woman down. No switchman riding on the + car at the time of the accident. + +Injuries caused by carelessness in throwing switches and derails we +all know ought not to occur, and yet they are of frequent occurrence. +The following are samples. + + G. M. Claney, engineman; Alfred Dolan, fireman; injured about 10 + a.m., June 4, at Peronia; after going in on side track to get some + cars, got signal from brakeman to come ahead. Brakeman failed to + throw derailing switch, and while going to main line engine left + the track, went down embankment, and turned over. + + Richard Jones, brakeman, injured May 7, at Nelson. Foreman Brinson + told him to cut off two cars and ride them out onto main line, and + after he had started the foreman noticed an engine coming up the + main line, and threw switch for side track, the cars collided and + he was thrown down in car. + + +ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY KICKING CABOOSES + +Accidents caused by kicking caboose cars in which men are resting are +of altogether too frequent occurrence, and are as inexcusable as they +are frequent. Rule No. 10 should, I think, prohibit the practice, as +it does of moving cars containing passengers unless coupled to the +engine and air-brakes in use. Had this been done, the following cases +would not have happened: + + K. M. Simpson, brakeman, injured Dec. 12, at Albion, was in + way-car cleaning ashes out of stove, when the way-car was struck + by another car kicked onto it by switchman, throwing him against + end of car. + + Paul O'Connor and E. Putnam, brakemen, injured Feb. 22, at + Dodworths, were asleep in caboose No. 1473, on caboose track. + Switch engine went in and got caboose and kicked it out on lead. + It did not clear the switch track, and as other cars were kicked + back on caboose track it was struck by them throwing these men to + the floor. + +Indeed, I believe that if the practice of kicking freight cars in +yards and at stations was prohibited the saving in the cost of repairs +of equipment and for damage to contents of cars would be greater than +the increase in pay-roll caused by necessary increase in the number of +men in the crews. + +Speaking of accidents of this kind brings to mind those resulting from +careless handling of boarding cars, which are now so common during the +summer season. We all know the class of people who inhabit boarding +cars, how little they appreciate the danger, that they are on the +sides, top, under, and in the cars. So handle them, not as some +brakemen do egg cases, but carefully; never move the cars without +going to see that no one is under them cooking his dinner, that the +occupants of cars are all in a place of safety, and never make a fly +or kick with them, always have the engine coupled up, and don't +uncouple it until the car has got to the place it is to be left. +Roadmasters and foremen should see that the opening for ingress and +egress from the cars is on the side away from the traffic. The switch +to the track on which the cars stand should be locked and the key in +the foreman's pocket, or else a rail taken up so that no one can get +in on the track without notice. If you run across any cases where this +is not done, report them before, not after, some one is hurt. + + +MOTOR AND HAND CAR ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES TO SECTION MEN + +Before leaving the subject of injuries to employees caused by the +carelessness of other employees, I want to mention some motor and +hand car accidents and injuries to section men caused by the use of +defective cars, by fast running, overloading, and by failure to comply +with the rules. Why men on motor cars and hand cars coming in from +work want to run faster than is safe (they never do it on the way +out), why they should overload, use defective cars, run closer +together than 300 feet, be out after dark without a light, leave their +cars on the highways to obstruct the same and frighten horses, +contrary to Rules 46, 47, and 48, we may perhaps guess. And yet we can +see no good reason for failure to comply with the rules which are made +for their own protection, as well as that of the company, and if more +careful instructions were given them by the roadmasters and more +supervision exercised, many of the accidents mentioned below would not +have happened. And on account of the class of men now employed on the +track, such instruction and supervision is more necessary than ever, +as the records show that we have many more such cases in proportion to +the mileage and business than we did a few years ago. + + G. Botticelli, laborer, injured March 23, south of Yerkesville, + was riding on the front end of hand car, which was being followed + by another hand car; section foreman signaled to the rear car not + to come too close to first car, signal was not heeded and the + second car ran into the first, derailing it. + + H. P. Dennis, laborer, injured May 28, west of Orion; caused by + the handle of a hand car breaking. + + N. R. Forbes, injured near Larkin, June 24, with four other men, + was riding on a hand car going home from work. While going down + grade, trying to get to station before train pulled out, car + jumped track, all the men were thrown off, and Forbes injured. + +In passing over highway crossings, especially in cities and in running +past stations, hand and motor cars should be so run that the man in +charge could stop the car in its own length. + + +INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES CAUSED BY THEIR OWN CARELESSNESS + +Lastly, I shall call your attention to a few of the accidents in which +employees are injured by their own carelessness, thoughtlessness or +recklessness, and frequently it is the latter. If we could eliminate +them and one-half of those caused by the carelessness of other +employees much of the unfavorable criticism of railroads would cease, +as the cause would no longer exist. + +We will take up some of the most common accidents of this class, +caused by coupling cars, getting on or off, or falling from, trains or +engines, moving or standing. The following cases will serve to +illustrate how frequently unnecessary chances are taken and the +result. + +Can anyone imagine a reason why a man of common sense who is old +enough to be out of school should stand on a footboard and when the +couplers are almost together put his hand in between them to pull them +over or try to kick them over with his foot, walk backwards, contrary +to Rule 51, between the rails fixing a Jenney to get ready to couple, +instead of stopping the car or engine and getting the coupler in +position; why they should stand in the middle of the track and wait +for an approaching engine or car to reach them and then step onto the +footboard or brake-beam, when they could just as well get on the side +or other end, and do it with safety; why men jump on an engine pilot, +which Rule 33 prohibits, or on a moving car to ride a few feet to a +switch, when the same is going so fast as to make it dangerous, unless +they want to show how expert they are; why they should get off moving +cars or engines under the same circumstances; why a man should not get +off a standing car or engine without getting hurt; undertake to climb +from car to car when unnecessary; cross the track in front of moving +cars or engines, when they are so close to them that to the +uninitiated it looks like suicide; or cross between cars, when they +could just as well climb over? But rather than take the time, which +the company pays for, they take the chances, and then if they get +across, like the man who drove over in front of the engine at the last +highway crossing and waited on the other side to see the train go by, +they wait until the tail end comes along and get on there, but if they +get caught blame the engineman for coming too fast, or the company for +not having the track nickel plated, or for having a handhold in the +wrong place. + +Why they should allow themselves to be struck frequently in broad +daylight by overhead obstructions, for which tell-tales are erected to +warn them; by building close to the track, with the location of which +they are familiar. Yet rather than work their gray matter a little, +they get hurt. Why a man sent out to look after broken rails or +defects in the track shouldn't watch for trains from both directions +or take the trouble to ascertain before starting whether trains are on +time. And yet we all know that just such chances are taken every day +with results shown in the following cases, which are such as happen +all the time; the only reason or excuse that can be given for them, +that I can imagine, is, that the men injured never should have been +employed; that instead of being employed on trains and engines and +drawing--not earning--more pay than principals of schools, and +frequently than school superintendents, they should be working in a +barn or shoveling dirt instead of on a railroad, where their +recklessness, carelessness, and failure to realize the dangers of the +business and the necessity of complying with the rules and taking no +unnecessary chances, not only endanger their own lives, but those of +others. They are of the same class that the railroad organizations, +for the protection of their desirable membership, ought to help get +out of the service, not try to keep in until someone is seriously +injured or killed, and then complain and say the company is liable +because they kept such a grossly careless, incompetent man in the +service; and if you will think for a minute, you will know that none +of the careful, forehanded men--the men who own homes and have a +little money in the bank--are in this class. + +I will first refer you to some cases caused in coupling cars, and by +getting on and off cars, of which the following are fair samples, each +of which not only could but should have been avoided by the exercise +of a little common sense by the injured person: + + G. L. Penston, collector, injured at Wanley, May 10; went in to + uncouple hose after getting train onto track; did not tell anyone + he was going in between the cars; other cars were switched onto + train and his head was caught between the cars. + + Henry Kendrick, switchman, injured at Mertonville, March 13; was + standing on front footboard of engine, which was about to couple + onto a car; draw-bar on engine was too far to one side to make the + coupling and Kendrick attempted to kick it over with his foot, but + missed it and his foot was caught and crushed. + + M. T. Bowers, fireman, Fairmill, Jan. 6, was trying to jump from + the running board of engine to footboard, when he fell and was + injured. + + L. B. Gorky, conductor, Panitoca, Aug. 14; was standing on top of + car, gave engineer a stop signal, and when slack came back, fell + off car. + + P. F. Newton, conductor, injured Oct. 3, at Durham; got off head + end of train, and tried to get on way-car as it came along, and + was thrown to the ground and badly injured. Train was moving about + 15 miles an hour. + +Then comes the class of injuries caused by crossing between or going +between moving cars or in front of moving cars or engines, and those +caused frequently in broad daylight by obstructions with the location +of which employees are perfectly familiar, but fail to take any care +to avoid, such as the following: + + H. M. Tupper, switchman, injured at Murferton, March 21, ran ahead + of moving car to throw switch; after throwing the switch he + attempted to cross the track again ahead of the car, was struck + and badly injured. + + David Spurton, switchman, Olivia, Dec. 12; while hanging on side + of car, was caught between car and viaduct, and severely injured. + + L. Q. Lafflin, switchman, Rutherville, Oct. 4; was sitting on top + of car riding backward his head struck viaduct, and he was knocked + off and injured. + +Among other classes, altogether too frequent, as well as unnecessary, +are those caused by leaving cars too near a switch to clear a man on a +car on the next track; by going under cars to repair them, or under +engines to clean the fires, without putting out a flag; by cutting +steam hose without first knowing the steam is turned off. + +Now why a man switching cars will not take the trouble to put them far +enough in on the track to clear himself riding the next cut in on the +adjacent track, or why a man will go under an engine or car to repair +it or for any other purpose, without protecting himself from injury by +putting out a flag as required by Rule I, passes my understanding. +Whenever you find the rule disregarded, report it, so that it will not +happen with the same man in the future; why a man should undertake to +cut the steam hose before he knows the steam has been turned off, the +devil himself could not tell, and yet the following cases would seem +to show that a man with a big stick is needed on the railroads as well +as elsewhere. + + William Jacobson, switchman, injured at Delavia, May 19; he left + caboose on side track too near the lead, and then rode some cars + down the lead, and was struck by the caboose. + + H. J. Calpine, car repairer, killed at Mestigo, June 3; was under + car making repairs; did not put out flag or tell anyone that he + was going under the car; the car was moved and he was killed. + + J. P. Alton, switchman, injured at Wolton, July 13; cut hose + between sleeper and coach and failed to turn steam shut-off cocks; + was badly burned by steam. + +And lastly I will refer to a few cases of injuries which cannot well +be classified, so we will say from other causes. They are a +miscellaneous lot, none of which ought to have happened, or indeed +would have happened if the first rule of nature, self-preservation, +had been observed. But I will give you several examples: + + A F. Ford, brakeman, injured at Lenopa, Sept. 3; hanging on side + of stock car instead of ladder, cow kicked him and broke his + wrist. + + B. L. Pomeroy, brakeman, fatally injured at Schuyler, Oct 29; in + attempting to oil a hot box while train was running, he fell under + the wheels. + + John Leveridge, fireman, injured at Worthington, May 8; passing + through town, waved hand at trainmen standing on side track, + struck mail crane, and injured his arm. + + Richard Manville, switchman, injured at Poulsville, June 17; stood + on top of car giving signals and when slack ran out fell off of + car; left leg broken. + + K. T. Morrison, brakeman, Homerton, April 26; went back along the + track, to flag his train, went to sleep on track, was struck and + killed by another train. + + + + +Prevention + + +SUGGESTIONS + +And so I might go on detailing the various accidents that have +occurred from the carelessness of employees, but I believe I have +enumerated enough of them to illustrate the point I wish to make; that +is, the employee is too careless, thoughtless and negligent; and I +hope also to demonstrate that the larger part of them could be avoided +and that a united effort should be made by all to prevent them in the +future. It does not require any argument to prove that the many +accidents occurring every day, and the resulting injuries and +destruction of property, ought to be reduced, and that, if the rules +were complied with and proper care and supervision exercised in +transacting the business of the companies, their number and consequent +money loss would be materially reduced; and it is up to the employees +to do their share to bring about this necessary result. Railroads that +advertise that they have the best of everything--including men--that +have spent not thousands but millions for safety devices and +appliances, as many of the lines have, ought to be able to make a +better record; and I believe when the employees really understand the +matter such roads will be where they belong--at the head of the +procession, not only so far as freedom from accident is concerned, but +in everything else. + +Blackstone, in his Commentaries on the Common Law of England, said +that the great beauty of the common law was that under it "there was +no wrong without a remedy," and so I say that there must be some +remedy which, if properly applied, would prevent the happening of a +large proportion of these casualties; and I suppose that the man who +says there is a wrong or criticises results ought to be able to +suggest some remedy which will sound plausible, even if it is not +practicable. + +In addition to the suggestions which I have made in discussing the +different classes of accidents herein mentioned, there are several +others which, in a general way, I submit. + +The most necessary thing in securing good results and as few +casualties as possible is to hire good, competent, careful and sober +men to do the work, and when the railroads have bureaus of employment +properly conducted to secure the best men and schools in which to +instruct them as to the rules under which railroads are operated, what +their duties are, and how to perform them, in conjunction with the +physical examination of applicants for employment they will have taken +the most important step to do away with accidents; and when they clear +their roundhouses, repair yards, coal stations, gate houses and all +other branches of the service connected with the transportation of +persons and property of men with whom neither other employees nor the +public can communicate because of their inability to understand or +talk the English language, they will have taken the next one. + +When labor organizations and employees generally do what they can to +keep incompetent, careless men out of the service, not in it, and when +they are discovered in some careless act, or cause some accident, and +are discharged or suspended, instead of trying, through the influence +and power of their organization, to have the discharge or suspension +set aside, do all they can to sustain the order of suspension or +discharge, we will not have the list of casualties staring us in the +face that we do now, and the organizations will not have so many +crippled members asking for assistance, and the proportion of +employees killed and injured to the whole number won't be 36 and 80 +per cent respectively. + +Employees should read the newspapers, railroad as well as brotherhood, +so that they will get some of the theory of the business to fit them +for a better place. Familiarize yourselves with the advertisements of +the company, train schedules, maps, names of the officers and where +they are located, so that you can answer questions of patrons and +others. Treat everybody politely and decently, as by your conduct and +manners the corporation and management will be judged. Take advantage +of what others have learned by the greatest of all teachers--EXPERIENCE. + +After getting good competent men we need good track and equipment and +sufficient and intelligent inspection to see that not only the track +and equipment are kept in good repair, but also that the men keep in +good physical and mental condition. + +A method of inspection and repair by which the man who inspects will +be required to have some mechanical experience, who can talk and +understand English and comprehend what the result will be if he fails +to discover defects and have them remedied, and who will report, not +to a foreman whose duty it is to repair the defect, but to a superior +whose business it is to find them. This is the sort of inspection +necessary to prevent injury and loss. And when we do this the record +will be different. + +Then we want good rules and instructions (the fewer and simpler the +better) telling how the trains shall be run and the business of the +companies conducted, and if it is true that one of the worst evils +from which our country is now suffering is the failure to enforce all +the laws on the statute books, I am afraid the same saying will apply +to the operation of railroads. Too many rules, orders and bulletins +are disregarded by employees, and that disregard not discovered or is +overlooked until some accident occurs. If there are any rules that are +impracticable they should be cancelled, but until they are their +observance by officers and employees should be insisted upon. The +quickest and best way to get a bad rule or law cancelled or repealed +is to enforce it. + +And last but not least, we want sufficient and efficient supervision. +Poor Richard, the philosopher, never said a truer thing than that +"_The eyes of the master will do more work than both his hands_." +And as the business of a railroad increases and grows more complicated +every day, it requires more and better, and not less, supervision. If +the number of employees and the tonnage of trains increase fivefold, +so should the supervision increase, in order that the business be +conducted in accordance with the rules and that safe and economical +operation be secured, and there should always be enough supervision to +obtain this necessary result. + +After we get the men, the track, the equipment, rules and supervision, +we should see that all employees know and understand the rules and +their duties and how to perform them. Some day we will have a training +school for this purpose, just as the government has for its soldiers +and sailors, and many municipalities for their police. Employees +should study and familiarize themselves with the time-tables and +rules, the same as they do with their pay schedule--they all +understand that. The rules were made by men who have come from the +ranks, who know from actual experience what the failure to observe +them means to passengers, to yourselves, and the companies, and if you +don't understand them, have someone who does explain them to you until +you know them by heart and exactly what they mean, and when you have +done this, comply with them and things will go better; there will then +be few accidents, suspensions and discharges. + +Do the company's business the same as you would your own. If the time +ever comes when you are unwilling to do this, quit. Think before you +act, not afterwards, as then it will be too late. And remember that +other lives, perhaps that some one near and dear to you, may depend +upon your acting and doing immediately, and not to-morrow, the right +thing and in the prescribed way. + +Make it your first duty to protect the lives and property entrusted to +your company, as well as the lives of those crossing over its tracks +and those of your fellow employees, then will come to you not only the +knowledge of duty performed, but promotion in position and increase in +salary. That is why your president, general manager, and the whole +push are where they are now, instead of working in the ranks. + +Never go out without sufficient rest. Don't try to get in too many +miles or hours for the pay there is in it, as you may get hurt or +killed doing so, or injure some one else. + +When an order is given you in writing, or verbally, if you don't +understand it, ascertain exactly what it means before you undertake to +execute it, and if you understand what is wanted, but don't know how +to do the thing, find out from someone who does before, not after, you +have made a mistake, as it will take you less time to learn to do it +right than it will to explain why you did it wrong, and by so doing +you may prevent yourself or someone else getting hurt. + +With additional care on your part and that of your fellow workers, +together with more and better supervision, based on the theory that it +is equally as important to see that rules and orders are observed as +it is to issue them, that MEN are more important in the running of a +railroad than _things_, accidents and consequent losses will, I +believe, be reduced one-half. + + + + +APPENDIX + + +The following operating rules are referred to in the foregoing: + +In case of doubt, adopt the safe course. + +Speed must always be sacrificed for safety. + + 1. A _blue_ flag by day and a _blue_ light by night, displayed at + one or both ends of an engine, car, or train, indicates that + workmen are under or about it. When thus protected it must not be + coupled to or moved. Workmen will display the _blue_ signals, and + the same workmen are alone authorized to remove them. Other cars + must not be placed on the same track, so as to intercept the view + of the _blue_ signals, without first notifying the workmen. + Train, engine or switchmen going between or under cars or engines + to make repairs, chain up or examination must protect themselves + in the same way by use of red flag or red light. + + 2. The engine bell must be rung on approaching the whistling post + at every public road crossing at grade, and kept ringing until + the crossing is passed; and the whistle must be sounded at all + whistling posts, two long and two short blasts. + + 3. The engine bell must be rung upon approaching and passing + through stations, cities, towns, and villages. + + 4. It must be understood that a train is due to arrive at a + station upon its schedule departing time at preceding station. + + A train must not leave a station in advance of its schedule + leaving time. + + 5. Passenger trains will not exceed twenty-five miles, and + freight trains fifteen miles per hour, passing over interlocking + switches. + + 6. All regular freight trains, extras, and work extras will pass + into and through all stations and will approach all isolated side + tracks, and also all water tanks and coal sheds with train under + full control, expecting to find trains at such points. Speed must + be reduced; enginemen and trainmen must commence to get their + train under control one mile from all such specified points, so + that under no circumstances whatever shall it be possible for + them to strike any train, car, or engine that may be within the + switches of any regular station, or that may be taking coal or + water at any coal shed or water tank. Trains occupying main track + at stations, as an additional precaution, must protect themselves + as per Rule No. 7. + + + PROTECTION OF TRAINS BY FLAGMEN. + + 7. _For this purpose flagmen shall have for_ DAY SIGNALS _not + less than two torpedoes and a red flag._ + + _For_ NIGHT SIGNALS _not less than two torpedoes, two red fusees, + and red and white lanterns._ + + CONDUCTORS _shall see that flagmen have these signals when they + go on duty._ + + + UNSCHEDULED STOPS. + +_When any train makes an_ UNSCHEDULED STOP _(whether at a station or +between stations, or whether such stop be caused by accident to the +train, or by signal, or in any other way), the train shall be +protected as follows_: + + _a._ _In the_ NIGHT-TIME _the flagmen shall immediately place a + lighted_ RED FUSEE _in center of track about five hundred feet + behind the rear of train._ + + _He shall then go back as rapidly as possible with_ RED _and_ + WHITE LANTERNS _to a point less than three-fourths of a mile + (twenty-four telegraph poles) distant from rear of train and until + he reaches a point where the danger signal can be seen not less + than one-fourth of a mile (eight telegraph poles) by the engineman + of any approaching train. When the character of the road or + weather makes it necessary the flagman shall go a greater distance + with signals, so as to_ INSURE ABSOLUTE SAFETY. + + _b._ _In the_ DAYTIME _he shall carry a red flag and proceed to a + like point._ + + _c._ _When he reaches such point, whether in the night-time or + daytime, he shall at once place_ ONE TORPEDO _on the rail on the + engineman's side and shall remain at that place until recalled. If + a train approaches he shall flag it and remain until the train + stops._ + + _d._ _When recalled, if no train is approaching, he shall place a_ + SECOND TORPEDO _on the rail 200 feet nearer his train and return + with all possible dispatch._ + + + SCHEDULED STOPS LONGER THAN USUAL. + + _e._ _When any train makes a_ SCHEDULED STOP _at any station and + occupies the main track_ LONGER THAN USUAL AT THAT STATION, + _whether on account of baggage, passengers, or for any other + reason whatever_, THE FLAGMAN MUST PROTECT HIS TRAIN IN THE SAME + MANNER. + + + STOPPAGE BY PRECEDING TRAINS. + + _f._ _When any train has been stopped by a preceding train in the + manner above mentioned, the flagman of the last train must protect + his train in the same manner._ + + + PROTECTION OF FRONT END. + + _g._ _When it is necessary to protect the front of a train, it + shall be done in the same manner._ + + + BOTH CONDUCTOR AND FLAGMAN RESPONSIBLE. + + _h._ _In all cases above mentioned it shall be the_ FIRST AND + IMMEDIATE DUTY OF CONDUCTORS _to see that flagmen_ OBEY THIS RULE. + + _i._ _Both_ CONDUCTOR _and_ FLAGMAN _will be held responsible._ + + _j._ _When a flagman goes out, the next brakeman or baggageman + must take his place on the train, as required by paragraph s._ + + _k._ _The engineman on approaching train, on_ SEEING FLAGMAN'S + SIGNAL, _shall immediately indicate it by one short blast of the + whistle, and immediately reduce the speed of his train and find + out the purpose of the signal, and if he does not hear the second + torpedo he will bring his train to a stop._ + + _l._ _If the engineman on approaching train sees no signal (the + flagman having been recalled), but_ HEARS THE FIRST TORPEDO; _he + shall reduce the speed of his train and thereafter proceed + cautiously, and prepared to stop within vision, until the track is + clear._ + + _m._ _On_ HEARING THE SECOND TORPEDO, _the engineman will know + that the flagman has been recalled and will_ PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY, + _keeping a sharp lookout for train ahead and prepared to stop + within vision, until he is notified by signal or otherwise that + the track is clear._ + + _n._ _If a_ FUSEE _is seen, the engineman shall_ NOT PASS _it + until it is burned out, and thereafter shall_ PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY + _and prepared to stop within vision, until notified by signal or + otherwise that the track is clear._ + + + RECALL OF FLAGMAN. + + _o._ _When the whistle is sounded recalling the flagman if there + is not a clear view to the rear for one-fourth of a mile (8 + telegraph poles) the train should be_ MOVED AHEAD _at a speed of + not less than_ SIX MILES _per hour, until a point is reached where + the track is straight for one-fourth of a mile in the rear of the + train_, ALWAYS BEARING IN MIND THAT THE TIME OF THE FLAGMAN'S + RETURN IS THE PERIOD OF GREATEST RISK. + + _p._ _Should a train for any cause be required to gradually reduce + its speed between stations or at unusual points the engineman will + sound one long and three short blasts of the whistle, as notice to + the conductor to drop off a flagman with the proper signals to + protect rear of train._ + + _q._ _In addition to the above protection a red fusee will be + considered an extra precaution, and will be used under + circumstances requiring the same. Should a train, for any cause, + be required to reduce its speed between stations or at unusual + points a red fusee must be lighted and placed upon the track as an + additional protection for following trains, to insure a time limit + between trains of not less than five minutes._ + + _r._ _If a train be obliged to back up, a flagman must be sent + back in advance of the rear end of the train, and kept far enough + in advance to insure absolute safety against a collision with any + train that may be approaching._ + + _s._ _When the flagman goes back to protect the rear of his train, + the head brakeman or baggageman must, in the case of passenger + trains, and the next brakeman in the case of other trains, take + his place on the train._ + + 8. When cars are pushed by an engine (except when shifting and + making up trains in yards), a flagman must occupy a conspicuous + position on the front of the leading car and signal the engineman + in case of need. + + If such signal cannot be seen by the engineman or fireman, the + engineman will bring the train to a stop immediately, and not + proceed till signal is visible. + + 9. When switching is being done over highway or street railway + crossings by yard or trainmen, a man must be stationed at that + crossing to act as flagman. + + 10. Cars must not be moved over highway crossings or in front of + passenger stations detached from engine, other than at terminals, + where express authority has been given so to do by the division + superintendent. Cars containing passengers must not be switched + unless coupled to the engine and air-brake in use. + + 11. In approaching a station where a passenger train is due or + past due, and where the view is not clear, trains must be under + perfect control, so that they may be stopped, if necessary, before + reaching station. Trains on the double track must not, under any + circumstances, pull into a station at which a passenger train in + the opposite direction is standing or into which it is pulling to + receive or discharge passengers, until such train has started up + and the rear coach thereof has passed the end of the station + platform nearest the approaching train, excepting where tracks are + divided by fences. When two trains are nearing a station from + opposite directions at the same time and only one of them is + scheduled to stop, the train making the stop must reduce speed to + let the other through the station before it arrives. When two + trains going in opposite directions arrive at a station and both + are scheduled to stop, the inferior train will not pull up to + platform until superior train has departed. At stations on single + track, all trains will reduce to a speed of four miles per hour in + passing a point where a passenger train is receiving or + discharging passengers, and pass such trains with the engine bell + ringing constantly. + + 12. Passengers will not be allowed to ride on freight, extra, or + work extra, except upon such regular freight trains as may be + designated in the division time-tables. Freight trains that carry + passengers will be particular to have the caboose stop at the + depot platform to receive and discharge them. Before the arrival + of train at any station where they stop, the conductor will + distinctly call out the name of station. This rule applies to + employees of the company not actually on duty, as well as to other + persons. It is, however, understood that persons accompanying live + stock or perishable freight shall be allowed to ride on the same + trains therewith, for the purpose of taking care of the same, upon + the presentation of proper transportation. + + 12a. Conductors must show their orders to rear brakeman or + flagman, and the engineman to the fireman, and (in case of a + freight train) to the head brakeman, who are required to read + them. The copy for the engineman must be delivered to him + personally by the conductor and the engineman must read it aloud + to the conductor before proceeding. + + 13. Dispatchers must not authorize operators to issue caution card + to any train or engine to enter a block occupied by a passenger + train, except in case of accident. + + If from the failure of telegraph line or other cause a signalman + be unable to communicate with the next block station in advance, + he must stop every train approaching in that direction. Should no + cause for detaining the train be known, it may then be permitted + to proceed, provided ten minutes have elapsed since the passage of + the last preceding train, using caution card. + + 14. Trains moving on caution card must do so with great care. As + block is not clear enginemen must be prepared to stop within their + vision. + + 15. Trains moving on caution card must expect to find main track + occupied at all stations regardless of the position of block + signal. + + 16. Agents are required to see that cars are properly loaded, to + obtain, if possible, the maximum capacity, and not permit an + overload to exceed 10 per cent of marked capacity. It is important + that the load be distributed evenly, securely staked, and that no + projections extend over the ends of cars. + + 17. Freight, baggage, and other articles must not be allowed to + stand on the depot platforms where they might cause accident or + inconvenience to passengers or employees, or receive damage from + the weather. United States mail pouches must not be left + unprotected upon the platforms or in the waiting-rooms and other + exposed places at stations. + + 18. Agents will see that conductors of freight trains do not block + public crossings longer than five minutes. + + 19. On leaving a station passenger brakeman will pass through the + train, from the front to the rear, and when about one-third the + length of the car from forward end, with closed doors, will + announce in a clear and distinct voice the name of the next + station, then proceed to within the same distance from the rear + end of the car and make the same announcement. If the train is to + stop for meals the brakeman will so state, giving the length of + time the train will stop. Conductors of all trains stopping at + stations at which lunch counters or eating-houses are located will + announce in the lunch or dining room notice of departure of the + train in ample time to allow passengers to get aboard before it + starts. Upon approaching a station located at or in the vicinity + of a railroad crossing, when it is necessary for a train to stop + at such crossing, before reaching the crossing brakemen must give + warning of the fact by calling out distinctly in each car, "The + next stop is for railway crossing, not a station." Junction + points, railroad crossings where a stop is made, and terminals + will be announced, passengers notified when to change cars, and + attention directed to their parcels and other belongings. + + 20. Passenger train employees will pay particular attention to the + comfort of their passengers and will see that proper lighting, + ventilation, and temperature are maintained and sufficient + drinking water is provided. They will not allow passengers to + violate any rules of the company (such as riding on the platforms, + etc.), and, while avoiding unnecessary conversation with + passengers, will answer all questions courteously. + + They will see that passengers are properly seated. They will pass + through sleeping cars only when necessary and then as quickly as + possible, exercising special care at night to avoid disturbing the + occupants. + + 21. Conductors must collect the proper fare from every passenger + not provided with a ticket or pass in proper form. In all cases, + on the refusal of any passenger to produce a proper ticket or + pass, or to pay the fare, the conductor shall cause the train to + be brought to a full stop at a regular open station and shall + require such person to leave the train, and, on refusal, shall + remove him therefrom, and must procure and report the names and + addresses of persons who were present and witnessed the + controversy. Each conductor will be held responsible for the + exercise of a reasonable discretion in the performance of this + duty, being careful that no unnecessary force is used, that the + company may not be subjected to unnecessary litigation or + annoyance. They must not eject women or children of tender years, + and any person unattended in such a condition of body or mind as + to be incapable of caring for himself must be placed in the + custody of the nearest station agent, who will wire the + Superintendent for instructions regarding such person's final + disposition. In removing a person from the train, the conductor + must use extreme care to avoid controversy and not indulge in + abusive language or in any manner insult or maltreat the person to + be removed, or use unnecessary force in so doing, unless in a + clear case of self-defense, when an assault is made upon the + conductor or his men, and then the infliction of unnecessary + injury must be carefully avoided. A sufficient force must be + brought into requisition to overcome resistance and to place the + person on the ground without inflicting injury, the law being that + conductors may command employees or any of the passengers to + assist in such removal. In all cases except where passengers shall + be ejected for refusal to produce proper ticket or pass, or to pay + the proper fare, the conductor, before so doing, must tender such + passenger such proportion of the fare he has paid as the distance + he then is from the place to which he has paid his fare bears to + the whole distance for which he has paid his fare. In case of such + ejectment a report must be sent to the Superintendent by first + mail with full particulars. + + 22. Passenger trainmen will be required to securely close + vestibule doors and platform traps of all passenger cars when in + motion; and after departure from a station will observe whether or + not there are any passengers clinging to the hand-rails of the + vestibules. + + 23. Passenger brakemen will place themselves at the steps of + coaches at stations, and will assist passengers in entering or + leaving the cars. Special care must be taken with children and + aged and infirm passengers, assisting them to and from trains, + giving them ample time to insure safety. They will prevent + passengers boarding or leaving the train while in motion, see that + passengers are provided with proper tickets, and that they take + the right train. + + 24. When a passenger train has stopped at a station platform, it + must not move to take coal or water or do other work until the + conductor permits by the usual signal. + + 25. Freight conductors and brakemen must be on hand not less than + thirty minutes before the leaving time of their trains. They shall + examine their trains while stopping at stations on the road and + see that everything is in proper order. + + 26. Freight train employees are required to examine very carefully + the condition of all brakes and ladders that they are to use, and + to know that they are safe and in good condition before using + them. If brakes are unsafe, or ladders out of order, brakemen will + report them to the conductor at once. + + 27. Conductors leaving cars on side tracks will see that they are + properly secured and sufficiently clear of the main line. In + leaving loaded cars at any station they will place them most + conveniently for unloading. The cars must be so placed as not to + project over line of highway crossings. If a car be set out + without a brake, conductors must securely block the wheels. + Cutting off engine and cars before a train has stopped and + allowing the balance of train to follow is prohibited. + + 28. Conductors must call the attention of the repairer of cars, or + that of the station agent in his absence, to any damage which may + have been done to the cars, or to any which may come to their + knowledge, that they may be promptly repaired, and they must note + these in their reports. Cars in bad order, set out at stations, + will be reported at once by the conductor, by telegraph, to the + train dispatcher, stating number and initials of car, contents, + nature and extent of damage, and will note the nature of defect on + waybills. + + 29. Enginemen must use every precaution to prevent damage by fire + from their engines. They should report all defects in netting, ash + pans, etc., at the end of their run. Ash pans or front ends must + only be cleaned at designated points. + + 30. No person will be allowed to ride upon the pilot of a + locomotive, either in the discharge of duty or otherwise, and they + are prohibited from getting on the front end of engines or cars + approaching them. + + 31. Turntables must be locked with a switch-lock by enginemen and + others immediately after use, except when in charge of employees. + When turntables are found unlocked, and when tables or locks are + out of order, report at once to the Superintendent by wire. + + 32. Engines must not be permitted to stand nearer than 100 feet to + a street or highway crossing, or under any bridge, when it can be + avoided, nor in the vicinity of waiting-rooms, offices, or near + cars occupied by passengers, where the noise or smoke will disturb + occupants. + + 33. Agents are instructed to make a personal inspection of all + special loadings and where same do not comply with these + requirements and illustrations and where there is any question in + their minds as regards the safety or proper loading of the same + they should at once communicate with the Superintendent of Car + Department, who will send a man, competent to judge, for the + purpose of inspection and passing on same before car is forwarded. + + (a). Yardmen, conductors, and trainmen must familiarize themselves + with these instructions and will not take cars into their trains + unless they come within the requirements of these rules and + illustrations. Where defects occur in loading of cars in transit, + unless they can remedy the same, they will set the car out and + notify the train dispatcher. + + 34. Whenever passengers or employees are injured, see that + everything is done to care for them properly, calling the + company's nearest surgeon to treat them, or, if prudent, remove to + the nearest place at which the company has a surgeon, and leave + them with such surgeon for care and treatment. + + If the injury be serious call the nearest competent surgeon + obtainable to attend until the company's surgeon arrives. + + 35. Whenever an accident happens to any train on which passengers + are carried, whether collision or derailment, of whatever nature, + on main line or siding, or within the yard limits where trains are + reconstructed, conductors must take down the name and address of + every passenger on the train, and ascertain from the passenger, + and note opposite his or her name, what injury, if any, they + received. In such cases, conductors, after first making everything + safe, must give their undivided attention to the care and comfort + of their passengers, especially to those who are injured. Bedding + and linen may be taken from the sleepers for this purpose, the + conductor keeping a careful account of all material so taken, and + its return or safe keeping attended to; and when deemed necessary, + injured persons may be put in the sleepers. When a number of + persons are injured the service of competent surgeons in the + vicinity should be at once secured, and every possible effort made + to care for the injured, the company's surgeon in each direction + being notified by wire to come immediately to the place of the + accident. + + 36. When persons (other than employees) by reason of climbing on + or jumping from moving trains, or walking or lying on the track, + are injured, they should be sent to their homes or placed in + charge of the local city, village, or township authorities and no + expense incurred on the part of the company in the matter. + + 37. A report of all accidents must be telegraphed immediately to + the Superintendent or his assistant by the conductor, engineman, + agent, yardmaster, foreman, or person in charge, by wire, giving + the names of the injured persons and witnesses, the extent of + injuries, and the names of the owners of the property damaged and + the extent of damage, and as soon as possible a full and detailed + report made and forwarded to the Superintendent or his assistant, + a separate report being made for each person injured. If the + person injured is an employee he should also make and sign a + statement of facts in relation to the accident in his own + handwriting on the same form; should he be unable to write, the + statement should be written at his dictation, and after being read + over to him he should sign it by making his mark, the person + writing and reading statement signing same as a witness. + + 38. Whenever an employee, whether on duty or not, witnesses an + accident in which a person is injured or property damaged, in + which the company is in any way concerned, he must report it + immediately. Every effort must be made to procure the names and + addresses of all persons, particularly outsiders, who witnessed + the accident, especially when persons are injured within the + corporate limits of any city, town, or village, or when crossing + the tracks at a public highway. + + 39. When an accident occurs on an engine, or is caused by an + engine striking any person or conveyance, or when cars are being + coupled or uncoupled, a full report must be made by the engineman, + as well as by the conductor or the person in charge of the train. + + 40. When persons are injured while coupling or uncoupling cars or + in getting on or off cars, whether passenger or freight, or in any + other way, in which the accident may have been caused by defective + appliances or machinery, the cars or appliances must be + immediately examined by the person in charge, or by the agent, to + ascertain their condition, and report made of the inspection, + giving the numbers and initials of cars examined and the names of + the persons making the inspection. The Superintendent or his + assistant will then notify the inspector at the first division + terminal, who will also examine the machinery, cars, or appliances + and make report. When an accident is caused by defective machinery + or by the breaking of machinery, tools, appliances, or rails, the + broken or defective parts must be so marked as to be readily + identified and immediately turned over to the Superintendent or + his assistant. + + 41. When an accident occurs which results in the death of any + person, the remains of the deceased must be immediately picked up + and carefully conveyed to the nearest station building, care being + taken not to remove the body outside the limits of county and + state in which the accident happened. The agent at such station + will then notify the Superintendent by wire, as well as the family + or friends of the deceased. + + 42. Apply the brakes lightly at a sufficient distance from the + stopping point, and increase the braking force gradually as may be + found necessary, so as to make the stop with one application, or + at the most two applications of the brakes. + + 43. In making a service stop with a passenger train, always + release the brakes a short distance before coming to a dead stop, + except on heavy grades, to prevent shocks at the instant of + stopping. Even on moderate grades it is best to do this, and then, + after release, to apply the brakes lightly to prevent the train + starting. This does not apply to freight trains, upon which the + brakes must not be released until the train has stopped. + + 44. A train must, at all times, have not less than 50 per cent of + its cars equipped with air-brakes, which must be operated. + + 45. They must see that all switches are in perfect order and that + frogs, guard-rails, and switch-rails are properly blocked and + spaces in planked crossings kept clean. + + 46. They must permit their hand cars to be used only in the + service of the company, and no one will be allowed to ride on + these cars except employees in the performance of duty, unless + provided with a written order from the proper authority. When two + or more hand cars are following each other they will keep at least + 300 feet apart. Hand or velocipede cars belonging to private + parties will not be allowed on the track except by order of the + Superintendent. + + 47. When obliged to run hand and velocipede cars after dark, two + red lanterns must be so displayed on the car as to be visible to + trains in both directions. + + 48. Hand, dump cars, and velocipedes must not be attached to + moving trains, nor shall they be used upon the main track in foggy + weather, unless properly protected, and they must not be taken + from the track at public or private crossings, except to avoid an + approaching train. + + 49. No wood, ties, or property of any description must be piled + within six feet of the main or side track, or elsewhere, in such + manner as to obstruct the view of, or from, approaching trains. + Old ties, fencing, and similar property, also links, pins, + draw-bars, spikes, and all other material and iron work that is + found on the section must be picked up at once, piled neatly, or + disposed of as directed by the roadmaster. Rails and other + material must _not_ be left scattered about station grounds. + + 50. While at station conductors will do such switching as may be + required by the station agent. Trainmen and switchmen must not + couple to or move cars that are being loaded or unloaded on side + tracks without first ascertaining whether anyone is in or about + such cars and giving them ample notice that same are to be moved. + They must not obstruct street or public crossings with their + trains and be particular when at junction points not to allow any + part of their train to stand on railway crossings or interlocking + plants. + + 51. All employees are prohibited from going between cars or + between car and engine for any purpose or in front of any moving + car to fix couplers while same are in motion. + + 52. Enginemen must keep the headlights of their engines in good + order, and when running after dark, or when storms, fogs or other + causes render it necessary, they must be lighted. When trains are + waiting on side tracks, clear of main track, or on the end of + double track, headlights of engines must be covered. + + 53. When trains meet by special order or time-table regulations, + conductors and enginemen must inform each other by word of mouth + what trains they are. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Railroad Accidents, by R. C. Richards + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAILROAD ACCIDENTS *** + +***** This file should be named 38731.txt or 38731.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/7/3/38731/ + +Produced by Odessa Paige Turner and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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