Everyone is supposed to know that neither passengers or tramps should
be ejected from a train when it is in motion, and, in the case of
passengers, the ejectment must only be made at an open station, so
that the person ejected will have a place of shelter if at night or if
it is storming; that women and children of tender years must not be
ejected at all; and that if a person refusing to pay his fare is in
such condition as to be unable to care for himself, he must be placed
in custody of the nearest station agent. So says Rule 21, which also
tells you to make a report of the ejectment, giving the cause thereof
and names of the witnesses on Form 992, a blank which every conductor
running a train that carries passengers should have in his set of
blanks, and use it when he puts anyone off.
The principal trouble in ejectment cases is when passengers are put
off away from a station or when tramps are put off while the train is
in motion, resulting often in a serious injury, and, while very
frequently the patience of trainmen is severely tried by these
"hoboes," don't put them off when the train is moving. After all, they
are human beings and we don't want to maim or kill them. So stop the
train; and don't shoot them unless in self-defense. I mention the
following as a few sample cases:
Charles Williston, while in an intoxicated condition, attempted to
get on train No. 16 while same was in motion, at Alger, March
16th. Baggageman and express messenger was standing inside door of
car and saw this man getting on; went to the front door, had the
cross bar in his hands, and ordered the man off. In getting off,
Williston fell and his leg was run over.
Edw. Hock, injured at Smithville, March 25th, by being ejected
from extra freight train, while same was running six or seven
miles an hour. Hock had got on train, having been told by someone
that he could ride on it--having mileage--and conductor made him
get off while train was in motion, and in getting off he was
injured.
Louis Nelson, colored boy, had been stealing a ride on train No.
extra 112; was ordered off by conductor at Avon, May 19th; after
he got off conductor shot him in the arm.
James Mills, injured at Pewaukee, October 21st, got on milk train
for the purpose of stealing a ride. Was ordered off by brakeman
while train was in motion. In getting off he fell and was run over.
When passengers are injured _by stones or anything else thrown
through or at the windows of cars_ render them such assistance as
you can; have the company's surgeon called to treat them, and if the
stone or object which broke the glass or which caused the injury comes
in the car pick it up and mark it so that you can identify it in the
future and send it in with your report, as per Rules 35 and 40. It is
as unfortunate that so many such cases occur as it is that there is no
way by which railroads can prevent them, and until the State and
municipal authorities take a hand in the matter they will continue to
happen and passengers will continue to lose their vision.