Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 245, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1911 — MANIA FOR SPEED TO BLAME [ARTICLE]

MANIA FOR SPEED TO BLAME

Americans Demand Fast Rate of' Travel and as a Consequence Lives Are Sacrificed. “The engineer took a 'cross-over' switch at a speed of 60 miles an hour, violating a rule limiting the rate to 15 miles. He died at his post’,” says the report of the latest railroad accident, In which 12 people were killed. Why did he violate the rule? The train was late and the engineer was striving to make up time. That is the whole story, so far as it is told in the news dispatches. But why was he trying to make up time? •The Nev? Haven railroad is one of the safest and best managed in the country in many respects. But the engine driver who makes up lost time without an accident is valued on every American railroad. In this case the driver took the risk, and he now is where criticism cannot harm him. If he were alive, however, he probably would say: "I was caught, boys; that is all.” Not railroad managers alone are responsible for this tendency to take risks, but the public also. It is part of our American life. We demand it until the catastrophe comes, when we blame the engine driver. When an employe carries out orders faithfully he too often displeases his superiors, who in turn displease the public.— Chicago Record-Herald. ; . vr:• ■>' ! w-* ■ •s- ■ fcwAE