Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-11-25

The coroner's jury summoned to investigate
the causes of the late disaster on the Phila-
delphis, Wilmington and Baltimore railroad,
by which two persons were killed and fourteen
wounded, have rendered a verdict In the case
of Henry e. Fritz, one of the victims, to the
effect that his death was due to the incom-
Potency and neglect of Anthony Rue, the con-
ductor of the injured train, who has been
arrested. The testimony before the coroner's
jury was, in substance, that a train in charge OF
this conductor left Philadelphia on Friday night
or early Saturday morning, and moved south
ward. One hour after it lett Philadel phia the
Washington through express from New York
was due. The engine of the frst-named train
became disabled from some cause after running
few miles, and a new one was taken on in its
place. Owing to the stupidity of the fireman
the steam was allowed to run down from I25 to
80 pounds pressure, and the result was that the
tram finally came II a dead halt. IL was only
at that moment that the conductor sent
back man to signal the New York express,
which was then only six minutes behind
1t seems the conductor had hoped to reach Will
mington IN time to get on the siding and let the
express pass, appearing u forget that his loco
motive vas falling rapidly. What he should
have done on passing Chester, where his train
was running only at the rate OF eight or nine
miles an hour, was to leave man at that point
to warn tie New York train of the obstruction
The jury came ID the conclusion that his repre-
htDsible delay caused the terrible accident
which followed, for the New York train came
thuncrTing along at the rate of thirty or forty
miles an hour, and its speed could not be suf-
heiently checked to prevent the subsequent col
llSion- In tact, according to the testimony of a
brakeman, the New York train was less than
thIee-quarters OF a mile behind when the dis
abled train came ID q full stop, and not more
than four minutes elapsed after the halt
before tie collision took place. The Balti-
mote SmsTiccR, in commenting on the
causes VI the accident, says the COM
pany earnot be held directly accountable
because its regulations relative to signals were
disregardec by a careless conductor, but is Of
the opinion in view OF the liability of such &C.
eidents occasionally, that it, as we'll as other
railroad companies, should adopt a certain
improved brake that will stop tram, rushing
on at the speed of thirty miles an hour, within
the distance Of two FITS own lengths. 1t says
tins invention has been thoroughly tested, has
proved its capabilities, and that many railroad
companies have it in regular use. The Phils-
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore company
Is one OF those which have rot, and the American
says that if the New York train had been pso-
vided with 1t. and it had been instantly applied
when the first notice of danger was given, there
would have been no subsequent collision, and
that the mere fact Ia q sufficient lesson of the
stringent obligation OF every railroad corpora
ton to refuse no means that may conduce to the
absolute safety OF the thousands of human
beings whose lives are entrusted to them every
day.