Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 244, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1913 — BLAME HOBBLE SKIRT [ARTICLE]

BLAME HOBBLE SKIRT

RAILROADS DECLARE THEY ARE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTB. Prominent Eastern Line Has Resolved to Raise the Question of Contributory Negligence In Such Cases In the Future. For several years women passengers on street cars and railroad cars throughout the country have been objecting to the high steps, asserting not only that they make it difficult to get on or off cars but also that they are a source of danger, particularly in the case of young children and elderly women. Now the railroad companies have started a back fire which may or may not result in quieting the complaints of the women. The street car companies have not as yet followed the example of the railroads. A few days ago a prominent eastern road declared that many accidents to women while entering or leaving the cars were directly due to hobble skirts and high heels. The injuries sustained have ranged from slight cuts and sprains to broken bones. A new order, which is posted on the trainmen’s bulletin boards at all points on the main line of the road, directs conductors and brakemen to make particular note of the style of skirt and the height of heel worn by any woman passengers who may slip on the steps of a car either while entering or leaving, while her probable age and the attending circumstances of the accident are to be recorded alsp. No insistence is made upon ascertaining the exact age of the passenger. These data are to be immediately forwarded to designated officials of the company, who are to place them on file for future reference if complaint is made to the company by the passenger injured. Alrefedy a number of such reports have been received by the company. “If women passengers on bur line insist on wearing such mantraps, or rather womentraps, as hobble skirts and high heels they cannot hold this company responsible for accidents which may happen to them,.’’ said an official of the company. “Aside from the question of whether the car steps are too high, which we deny is the case, women passengers who wear such contrivances are, we think, guilty of contributory negligence, and we believe the courts will so hold.”