22 Railway Accidents. [January, 
on the part of engine-men and other railway servants to 
believe that all these arrangements of the block system and 
additional signals do, in fact, provide for their safety, and 
that consequently they do not keep the same look out, or 
use the same care that they would do on a line apparently 
less protected, ‘‘and that this is the case,” he remarked, 
“‘ observation and inquiry have clearly demonstrated.” 
Here, then, we find two leading authorities at issue in 
regard to a statement of fact, and it is, of course, very 
difficult to draw a fair conclusion between the two. The 
result of Mr. Harrison’s experience seems to prove that, at 
present, railway servants have not become sufficiently ex- 
perienced in respect to the true value of signals, and other 
means of safety on railways, but there is surely reason to 
hope that, as a body, they possess sufficient intelligence to 
enable them in time to appreciate more fully the extent to 
which these safeguards are valuable, and how much also 
depends upon their individual discretion. 
In respect to enforcing discipline, Mr. Harrison observes 
that the difficulty is becoming constantly greater, as dis- 
missal is no longer a punishment, when employment can at 
once be had elsewhere; and a reprimand is constantly met 
with the reply, ‘‘ Oh! very well, I’ll go.” This gentleman 
has found that nothing attaches men more to the service of 
a railway company than giving them comfortable cottages, 
with gardens to cultivate. 
The efficiency of the staff on a railway depends mainly 
upon three» circumstances : First, the selection ef mene 
but respectable and tolerably educated men; secondly, the 
establishment of a fixed code of rules for their guidance, 
and seeing that those rules are strictly enforced; and, 
thirdly, the maintenance of an efficient number of men to 
do the required work; the payment of liberal wages, so as 
to keep them in the service ; the holding out of prospects of 
promotion to the most efficient; and the proper treatment 
of them whilst in the service. 
No doubt all modern improvements on railway working 
tend to increase the expense to the railway companies, but 
this is a matter for which there is apparently no remedy. 
‘‘ The question of the effect of the labour market on railways, 
both in their construction and working,” says Mr. Harrison, 
“has come forcibly home to every one connected with them. 
It is not too much to say that all new works are now costing 
from 30 to 40 per cent more than they did a few years ago, 
and nearly double the time is required to complete them.” 
As will be shown further on, the adoption of the block 
