The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-01
RED LIGHTS AND WHITE
WE'RE SHOWN AT INTERVALS ON
THE LONG. ISLAND ROdD

Testimony .t the H. quest Into th~ Causes OF
the Wreck Near Berlin shows that the
Block Target. Were Frequently Changed.
An outline map. showing the scene OF Satur-
day nights disaster on the Long Island Rail-
road at Berlin. was nailed to the wall In the
Newtown Court House yesterday afternoon
when Coroner Emanuel Brandon continued
the inquest into the accident The map faced
Jurors. witnesses. and spectators. and was fire.
quently consulted during the Investigation.
The testimony was mostly about the posi-
tions OF the signals Ia blocks and
Just previous to and at the time
OF the accident. 1t was evident from the testi-
mony that some one had committed terrible
blunder in the handling OF the signals. The
direct examination was conducted by Coroner
Brandon. State Railroad mmissioners sam
uei w. Beardsley and Michael Richard. who
were present, frequently suggested questions,
as did District Attorney John Fleming.
William Smith was the first witness. He
lives in Brooklyn. but was spending the night
with relatives who live near the scene Of the
accident Soon after retiring that night he
heard train 60 by. The locomotive was
whistling for brakes. From his window Smith
had view OF tho block signal. 1t was red.
Fifteen seconds later the arm dropped and
white was shown. Smith saw the brakeman
back from ne resf Of an thf br e was slow
fs na9sr sSS 4 III hs sG
vii Vile also saw the signals as described BY him
was the matter when the Manhattan Beach
sm AZ to sfR t It. rs sG i
the nsd block Then the
t aroppsa i the Whits light was displayed and
stream OF fire flew from beneath the whirring
wheels Of the LOGON olive as they slipped along
into block ). He heard the conductor shout
to the engineer;
THrpins around. oNeill looked up the track
and saw the headlight Of another train rush
ng down on the s tNwry moving Manhattan
Head Night Dispatcher James NJ. McGee Of
Long Island City testified to tho manner in
the tight O; the accident. but knew nothing 81
the positions 81 the trains after they lett
oT Conductor D Z +. Finley testified that vacuum
s to % on s ts.
train OF which lie was in charg. that night.
He knew nothing Of the causes OF the accident.
tan Leach train testified that in passing
through block q a red light was shown. but as
minute later it was shown again on the signal
ut the entrance to block o.
three car lengths inside block s. and as it is
an imperative rule that no two trains shall be
permitted in the same block ut one time. II Wa
The duty OF No. u to block any incoming train
until his train moved into the next block. he
gave the customary signals to send back q
fiagman. Inside OF minute he saw the white
signal displayed. He whistled for the hngman
to come in. and began to get under way. Botth
train was on a grade and the rails were wet yet
miles an hour the accident occurred. Inc
train was then inside OF block .. With three
cars intact his train was driven forward by inc
blow. which sent them up the grade ana 40 VI
the incline on the other side. Fearful that ne
was being pursued by the hall OF the detached
train. he didn't shut on steam unti ne sot tt
Laurel Hill. Then he found the train WA
without conductor or brakemen Putting the
fireman on the rear of the train. ne drew int
Long Island City AS soon as possible ana re-
ported the wreck. , -, ~.
Corrobor;ltive testimony was given by Con
ductor John T. Mol Of the same train. lie ais
explained how Brakeman James Finn met NJ
death. When they stopped In the block tea
brakeman Mccormick was sent back to hol'
| any oncoming train. 1t was the conductor
! Intention to leave him when they got unde
way again. and Finn was sent back TO the rea
car to take his place. But they were so SOY
pulling ont that it WAS his impression. n
brakeman caught ND with them. About tn
same time he heard a whistle from the eas'
and few seconds later saw the headll9ht Q
the oncoming train He Jumped and was GOV
cred with wreckage.
The hearing will be continued.this atternoo
at o'clock.