The Portland daily press., 1871-08-22

If very deceptive. 1t exists in green timber,
and IN standing, growing trees, and does not
usually show itself upon the outside until the
tree or stick is nearly rotted through, nor do 1
think, be says further, one can always discover
rot by pounding-the knots and shakes affect
the sound"
And we share in the regret that the Compa-
ny no doubt deeply feel, that these tests OF
practical and scientific mechanics did not dis
close the latent defect. In 1869 this bridge was
examined by Messrs, Corser and Wildes of our
board and with an engine to test its strength,
when it shew no unusual detection ana tne
chords gave no sign of strainhg or openingi
and again they examined it in 1870 ana loIl,
but without the aid of testing engine, the
company being unable to furnish one. In
June, 1871. Col. Wildes (Mr Gibson bridge,
master, being with HIM, carefully examined
| it, inspecting the joints, pounding with
| hatchet and probing with a knife, thoroughly
| as he then thought, but he discovered no sign
| of rot or weakness; but upon going under the
bridge and noticing the effect of passing
| train, he detected as he thought, too great de-
| Election, and requested verbally and then by
| letter, that the bridge be strengthened hy
arches, which Mr.. Ncyes testified before the
| ccroner's inquest he was intending, before he
| received such notice, to do
These are the leading facts in the case, and
they show, we think, to this extent, care and
solicitude for the safety of the road on the part
! of the employees of the company, and on ours
as we'll, that would, this catastrophe not hap.
pening. be commended as wise, careful and
vigilant.
The bridges upon the Maine Central were
originally built in reference to much lighter
rolling stock than is now in use upon H. and
are not so large and permanent structures as
would now be erected for the present service
upon the road. The Commissioners, aware O
tnls fact, but by no means apprehensve of any
immediate danger to authorize Statute no
tice of "unsafety," have heretofore at different
times recommended the strengthening of thu
bridges by arches. But in justice to tho pres
ent Assistant Superintendent, Mr.. Lincoln
who now has charge of the running of the
trains, it may be proper to say, that in the dl
vision of labor under the present management
| the duty of having the road in repair was no
q | upon him, but devOlved upon Mr.. Noyes, t.
whom the timetable wus submitted and ap
| proved, and, as we are advised, without init
) | nation that the trains should be slowed owe
| this bridge.
1t may not be out of place to say in referenc
to the Commissioners, that it is only one of tn
l | many duties imposed upon them by Statute
to examine the track, culverts and bridges
of the roads, and that in respect to these the
must find them so out of repair as to be un
sale for travellers" before any right Of legal in
reference attaches on their part. They hav,
3 | no power over them to repair or amend-t
stop train or order it stopped, or to ask for a
Injunction against its running, except in tn
single case where the prerequisite Of "unsafe
| ty" exists, and then it is only after notice t
the managers Of the road Of its condition
"unsafety" and the lapse Of a reasonable tim
for the repairs to have been made, that the
| can enforce their notice of "unsafety" an
. needed repairs, by application to the court fo
s only notice that has legal force, and tobe give
. in case of immediate, present unsafety. Th
notices that one member of the Board is in th
r habit of giving, advising repairs is only pre-
cautionary. The Statute notice that road
out of repair as to be unsafe to pass over, re
quires the examination and cooperation of tn
whole Board. These precautionary notice
4 | given by Messrs Wildes and Corser, are not a
all part Of the duty imposed upon them
: Statute, but deemed highly proper as tendin
to guard against that condition of presen
danger. when Statute notice of "unsafety
. would become the duty of the Commissioner
o Hence the officers Of a road can in no case e1
4 cuse neglect of repairs or the erection of sue
new and stronger structures as heavier an
z faster trains may require, fer the reason ths
: | they have not received a notice of warnin
from one of tho Commissioners to that effec
1t is their business, not the Commissioners, t
see to it that the road is always in condition t
, perform safely the service they, themselves, re
| quire of it.
This Hampden road bridge was never re
garded as unsafe and no Statute motto
therefore, was ever given-but Mr.. Corser la'
season, and Col. Wildes this season, have bot
advised the company that the bridge ought
!. | be strengthened by arches. Had the weakness
, of the bridge from internal rot been discovere
by them, of course the statute notice of vi
a safety would at once have been given. Whetl
O er any casualties have been avoided by OF
n visitorial power, and these precautionar
notices verbal and written, from time to tim
we cannot know-but the apology that hs
: been made for the road, that it may have relic
v upon our examinations of its track, to excus
!, its imputed neglect, is as unauthorized in la
. as il is untrue in fact, and we believe will /
t repndiated by the company as unworthy tt
# high character its road has always heretofol
y sustained for care for the safety and lives of il
passengers.
, S. T. CORSER,
e A. w. WILDES,
s. H. BLAKE,
Railroad Commissioners