done that it is economy to differentiate the labor to the extent that the switch repairing is done by a particular set of men called switch repairers. The exposure of switch repairers to the hazards incident to moving trains is considerable. Switch cleaning and oiling is also dangerous because of exposure to moving trains.

On all important stretches of track it is necessary to have more or less elaborate devices for the proper signaling of trains, in order that the enginemen may always know whether or not the track is clear. The construction, maintenance, and repair of the various signal devices, which is to some extent skilled work, is done by men called signal repairers. These men are in charge of a supervisor of signals who is responsible for all the signal apparatus on his division. The men employed at this labor are also, like switch repairers, exposed to the danger of injury by moving trains.

Men known as crossing-gate tenders or crossing flagmen are stationed at grade crossings for the purpose of warning street traffic of the approach of trains; or, if the crossing is a railroad junction point, it is the duty of the crossing flagman to see that proper warnings are given, so that there will be no collision at the point of intersection of the two or more railroads. This occupation exposes to considerable danger, particularly from moving trains.

Drawbridge tenders are stationed at drawbridges, and it is their duty to see that the drawbridge is in position before trains are allowed to cross it. On railroads where traffic is heavy the drawbridges are opened and closed by steam or electric power operated by the bridge tender from a cabin built above the bridge. If the drawbridge is turned for the passage of shipping, the tender must give proper warning to approaching trains by means of signals attached to the bridge. These men, like crossing tenders, are exposed principally to the dangers incident to men employed on or about the tracks. The majority of the accidents to this class of employees are from moving trains, although a few have been injured by being caught in the draw.

With this brief introductory statement of the general duties of men employed in maintenance of way, consideration will be given to the injuries reported under specific occupation titles in this department of railway service in New Jersey during the twenty years 1888 to 1907. The summary tables which follow are for such of the occupations as proved to be of sufficient numerical importance to warrant the tabulation of the injuries.

In the following table is presented a summary of the accidents to employees in the maintenance-of-way department, which have been reported by the railroads of New Jersey under specific occupation titles during the twenty-year period 1888 to 1907. The arrangement

of the occupations in the table is more or less arbitrary but fairly logical, on the basis of the work performed by the employees.

MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY EMPLOYEES FATALLY AND NONFATALLY INJURED IN ACCIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY, BY OCCUPATIONS, 1888 TO 1907.

[Data compiled from the arnual reports of the railroads of New Jersey to the state comptroller.]

The table shows that there were 1,606 employees specified as in some employment connected with maintenance of way, and that of this total, 400, or 24.9 per cent, were fatally injured, and 1,206, or 75.1 per cent, were nonfatally injured.

During the period 1888 to 1907 there were 6 civil engineers, rodmen, etc., reported injured in the railway service in New Jersey, and of this total 2 were killed and 4 were more or less seriously injured. One track supervisor and 1 assistant track supervisor were reported injured. There were 39 injuries to section foremen reported, and 8, or 20.5 per cent, of these were fatal. All of the 8 section foremen killed were struck or run over by trains, either while in the performance of their duties or while walking on the track to or from their work.

SECTION HANDS.

Section hands constitute the most important occupation, numerically, in this group of classified railway employments. Not fewer than 866 injuries to section hands or section men were reported, and of this total 213, or 24.6 per cent, were fatal and 653, or 75.4 per cent, were nonfatal. In the following table is presented a summary statement of the injuries to section hands, classified by causes of accidents:

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS TO SECTION HANDS FATALLY AND NONFATALLY INJURED IN NEW JERSEY, 1888 TO 1907.

[Data compiled from the annual reports of the railroads of New Jersey to the state comptroller.]

The table shows that of the 866 section hands injured, 336, or 38.8 per cent, were injured by being struck by trains, locomotives, or cars. The next most important cause of injury was the handling of materials or supplies, to which were attributed 205, or 23.7 per cent, of the total injuries. All the injuries of this class, however, were nonfatal. The third numerically most important specific cause of injuries was falls from trains, locomotives, or cars; this was responsible for 59 of the injuries, or 6.8 per cent of the total. Other important causes of injury to this class of employees were, in the order named, handling tools, machinery, etc.; getting on or off locomotives or cars; collisions; cave-ins of gravel banks, cuts, etc.; and falls other than those specified as being falls from trains, locomotives, or cars. The table requires no extended comment. It may be added, however, that section hands, especially in the Eastern States, are composed largely of a foreign element, and as a result the men are often

so ignorant of the English language that the foremen find it difficult to make their warnings understood in time to prevent serious or fatal injuries to one or more members of the gang when danger is imminent, especially when the dangers are incident to the movement of trains. Some of the most disastrous accidents of the kind in railroad history have occurred in the State of New Jersey. In 1898, for example, there was an accident which caused the death of 12 section hands and the more or less serious injury of at least three others. A rapidly moving train struck a gang of section laborers before sufficient warning could be given of its approach. Another unfortunate accident of this class occurred on June 29, 1900, when 3 section hands were killed by being struck by a train. Again, as recently as November 8, 1907, a gang of section hands was struck by a train while at work on the track, and 3 were killed.

Section hands are especially exposed to the dangers incident to moving trains when they are employed in tunnels or when, owing to foggy weather conditions, it is impossible to get a clear view of approaching trains.

From the best returns available the annual fatal accident rate of trackmen, including section hands, section foremen, construction gangs, etc., is on an average about 3.55 per 1,000 in the State of New Jersey. (a) The fatal-accident rate for employees of this class varies considerably in different parts of the United States, and from the statistics in the reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission, their fatal-accident rate appears to be higher in the Southern and Western States than in the Eastern States, which would indicate that the hazards incident to track work are increased when the larger part of the mileage is single track. It is important to note also that the comparatively high fatal accident rate for section hands is in spite of the fact that this group of employees is employed fewer days per year on an average than almost any other class of railroad men.

Nonfatal injuries to section hands are also comparatively frequent, and the average annual nonfatal accident rate in New Jersey for trackmen was 22.89 for the period 1900 to 1908, according to the reports made to the state bureau of statistics of labor by the principal railroads operating in the State.

In the next table is presented a summary of the nonfatal injuries to section men or section hands, classified by nature and extent of the injuries.

a See the table on page 186. There were 48,146 men of this class exposed to the risk of injury, with 171 fatally injured and 1,102 nonfatally injured.

NATURE AND EXTENT OF NONFATAL INJURIES TO SECTION HANDS INJURED IN ACCIDENTS IN NEW JERSEY, 1888 TO 1907.

[Data compiled from the annual reports of the railroads of New Jersey to the state comptroller.]

SUMMARY OF NONFATAL INJURIES TO SECTION HANDS, BY NATURE OF THE

This table is self-explanatory and requires little comment. The figures clearly show that a considerable proportion of the nonfatal accidents to this class of railway employees are so serious as to result in permanent disability. For example, 72, or 11 per cent, of the 653 nonfatal injuries were fractures of one or more parts of the body, and 21, or 3.2 per cent, resulted in the loss of one or more parts of the body. Of the lost parts, 2 were of eyes, 1 of an arm, 1 of a hand, 6 of one finger and 1 of two or more fingers; 5 represented the