Speech 40
SAFETY APPLIANCES ON RAILWAYS

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE AT THE OPENING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTY EIGHTH CONGRESS, DECEMBER 6, 1904

THE ever increasing casualty list upon our railroads is a matter of grave public concern, and urgently calls for action by the Congress.  In the matter of speed and comfort of railway travel our railroads give at least as good service as those of any other nation, and there is no reason why this service should not also be as safe as human ingenuity can make it.  Many of our leading roads have been foremost in the adoption of the most approved safeguards for the protection of travelers and employees, yet the list of clearly avoidable accidents continues unduly large.  The passage of a law requiring the adoption of a block signal system has been proposed to the Congress.  I earnestly concur in that recommendation, and would also point out to Congress the urgent need of legislation in the interest of the public safety limiting the hours of labor for railroad employees in train service upon railroads engaged in interstate commerce, and providing that only trained and experienced persons be employed in positions of responsibility connected with the operation of trains.  Of course, nothing can ever prevent accidents caused by human weakness or misconduct; and there should be drastic punishment for any railroad employee, whether officer or man, who by issuance of wrong orders or by disobedience of orders causes disaster.  The law of 1901, requiring interstate railroads to make monthly reports of all accidents to passengers and employees on duty, should also be amended so as to empower the Government to make a personal investigation through proper officers, of all accidents involving loss of life which seem to require investigation, with a requirement that the results of such investigation be made public.

The safety appliance law, as amended by the Act of March 2, 1903, has proved beneficial to railway employees, and in order that its provisions may be properly carried out, the force of inspectors provided for by appropriation should be largely increased.  This service is analogous to the Steamboat Inspection Service, and deals with even more important interests.  It has passed the experimental stage and demonstrated its utility, and should receive generous recognition by the Congress.