Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1907 — A GOOD LAW. [ARTICLE]

A GOOD LAW.

The bill introduced by Representative Honan, Democratic floor leader, providing that railroad companies shall equip all trains with full crews has been passed fly both houses. Railroad employes and the public are alike interested in the measure, which is regarded as of great importance. Freight trains consisting of more than fifty cars, exclusive of caboose and locomotive, shall be manned by a crew of six persons, conductor, engineer, fireman, two brakemen and a flagman. Freight trains of less than fifty cars must be manned with crews of five men. Light engines without cars must have a crew of conductor, flagman, engineer and fireman. Passenger, mail or express trains, consisting of five or more cars, shall be manned by a crew consisting of engineer, fireman, conductor, brakeman and flagman, five persons. The penalty clause provides that any railroad company sending out trains not manned in accordance with the bill’s provisions, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be fined in any sum between SIOO and SSOO. The additional provision is made that the railroad company shall be liable for any damage caused by a violation of the provisions specified. The state railroad commission is to enforce the law. It is believed that the new law will insure much greater safety in the running of railroad trains.