The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-21

INEXPERIENCED ENGINEERS AND CONSEQUENT
MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE STRIKERS.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

INK TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALp.1
BosroS. Feb. 20, 1871
Tho experiment OF operating a railroad with
perienced engineers has not proved altogether
full with the Boston and Maine Company A passenger
tram approaching this city TITS afternoon camo near
going through an open drawbr,dgc, and only
stopped with difficulty after dashng through the
gates and by the signals. This forenoon there was
also big scare aud that consequence the
cxperie OF OF the engineers. As the Med
ford train being pushed into tho depot by SHIFT
ing engine lett the rails in the yard between de-
pot aud Causcway street, consequence OF misplaced
SWITCH aud went bounding sleepers for about
sixty feet, striking a train standing upon the sido
track. The collision raised both trains from
the ground, aud as they crowded against each
other wrenched out OF position and the
Sill timbers sprung, one OF them being broken The
panels OF the front car OF tho incoming train were
stove half its length and tho tmbers of truck
smashed The tram was quickly stopped and all
excitement alayed, but some oil the women badly
frightened and screamed franiicaly There was dan
ger Of tho tipping and had II donc serious
consequences must have resulted, as score or moro
had already lott their seats preparatory to leaving tho
were crowded into the end Of the car, where
the stove and It's contents us have been overturned
among thcin. Tho switch had boon placed 10
allow OF tho transfer Of train from one track to an.
other and It is said that the switchman Ind not had
time TO replace IT, Before tho strike this train was
sent into the depot through means Of nyins switch,
and not pushed in by an engine the rear as IN tho
present case The engineers, II Is SAID could not
be trusted 10 make flying switch. and their nexpe.
rcncc Is alleged to have been the OF tho accident
MALICIOUS rLor.
This evening, MS the ten minutes past nine tram
about leaving the Boston station, police officer
tced suspicious man loanng about tho engine. Upon
urtncr investigation u was found that the fellow had
placed an iron shackle In such position that whcn
tho locomotive started II would broak through OF
tho cylinders, having the eject OF disabling the
chino without endangerng lifo. The arrested,
and proved 10 DO an cx-cngnccr Of the road, named
Charles Randall He intoxicated at tho time, and
upon being searched was f0uni 10 be armed with
loaded revolver. lilo sent TO the headquarters OF tho
Brotherhood for ball. but the organization refused and
denounced his act IN the most emphatic terms. lie
Tor drunkenness and suspended from tho Brotherhood
al the same time for the same offence.
MEETING
Tho strikers held secret meeting tonight which
lasted until long after midnight Engineers IRON all
tho roads running into Boston wero present. and the
situation discussed at length In all IT. various
aspects. Tho Boston and Maine men claim that the
outlook Is moro favorable TO them now than any
period since tho strike commenced, aud seem TO have
full confidence that all OF them viii be rensated
the OF few days The idea OF strikes other
Boston roads has not been abandoned, II
any or thcm undertake to assist tho Boston
and Maine corporation. The officers Of this corpora
ton assert that they will not yiod 10 tho strikers
any therefore tho general situation
between the opposing forces ~ unchanged In view Of
the accidents which have taken place to-day there s
much comment on the fact that the Railroad Comms.
soners declared Saturday that tho road was safe
Tor public travel