The Arguments for and Against Train-Crew Legislation

The Arguments For And Against Train-Crew Legislation by Logan G. McPherson; Frank Haigh Dixon. This 1913 bulletin from the Bureau of Railway Economics surveys the rise of train-crew legislation, outlines the changes in train operation, safety appliances, and rising trainloads, and presents both sides of the debate on whether requiring more crew members improves safety or merely increases costs. It discusses the development of air-brakes and automatic couplers, changes in crew composition, and the economic impact on operating expenses, including estimates of state and federal costs. The document analyzes accidents, safety provisions, and veto messages from governors, offering a historical snapshot of policy debates, practical considerations for railroads, and the balance between safety investments and public costs as of 1913.