Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-09

charge of Daniel l.. Grimes, conductor
J. c. Hooper, engineer, and W. A. Conrad,
fireman.
The report also gives the names Of the
witnesses as follows: Edward Beute 50 x
street northeast; Milton and Charles Law
Ter, IA 1 street northeast; Robert Zell, 2S K
street northeast; w. A. Keys, 1875 K street
northeast, and John Lynch, colored, LIST
and NJ streets northeast.
The NJ street crossing Is much used by
vehicles, especially by the brick mac hine
company's carts and wagons in the de-
liveries in the neighborhood of the deaf
mute college. The street is narrow one,
and the long building of the Washington
steam stone works, on the northeast cor
ner of the crossing, obstructs the view of
the track from the east. Diagonally across
the intersection Is the railroad watch box,
while the Davis Coal and Coke Company s
yards are east of the tracks and opposite
The buildings of the stone works
Gatcmnn Had Gone Home.
Gateman Michael Flavin left the crossing
at 8 o'clock. when his days work was fin
ished, and he knew nothing of the acci-
dent until this morning. when he reached
his post and saw the fragments of the car
riage piled near the railroad tracks.
Sergt. Jordan made further inquiries
about the accident this morning. and then
laid the matter before Prosecuting Attorney
Pugh, in the Police Court.
The prosecuting attorney gave the officer
All idea of the testimony he wanted, and
said he would file a charge against Acting
General Agent Thomas end Gateman Fla
win. This will be done next Tuesday, when
the case of Mr.. Thomas and Gateman Cra-
mer, upon information filed as to the Flor
ida avenue crossing case, Will be tried.
Florida Avenue Crossing.
This case was called for trial this morn
ing on the charge of failing to lower the
safety gates at the crossing, as published
exclusively In yesterdays Star.
Attorney Colbert, representing the rail-
read company, stated that he was not
ready for trial. and asked for contin-
uance AS the case had not been in court
before, Mr.. Pugh consented, and the hear
ing will be heard Tuesday.
Speaking to a Star reporter about the
case. Attorney Colbert said the defendants
IL, these particular cases cannot De neil
liable.
"The gatemen were not on duty" he
said, land, of course, they could not have
lowered the gates. And so far as Mr..
Thomas is concerned he is not responsible.
for he has not the authority to employ
more gateII
He said he also intends to attack the
validity Of the regulations.
"rhere is no trouble about the validity OF
the regulations" remarked Prosecutor
Pugh to a Star reporter. THESE grade
crossing accidents. he added, are pecom'
ing entirely too numerous, and l. intend to
prosecute the railroads to the full extent
Of the law and exercise all the authority
the law gives to suppress grade crossings
and put an end to the accidents.
Frequent Occurrence.
"Thesc accidents occur SO frequently that
the authorities ought to take speedy action
to abate the dangers resulting from unpro.
tected crossings. These serious happenings
certainly ought to produce change Of the
system and the abolition of grade cross
iEgs-
"There is no reason why they should moi
be abolished, for the railroad companies are
amply able to pay the expenses. The
companies ought TO be compelled to make
the change in order to protect the lives oil
sariiy travel the streets, and who have q
far better right to their occupancy thar
has either railroad company.