New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-18
THE GARRISON'S DISASTER.
REPORT OF THE STATE RAILROAD
COMMISSION.
THE THEORY THAT THE TRAIN WAS pERAlLEi
APPARENTLY rAvoRED-MoRg TRACK


WALKERS RECOMMENDED.
Albany Dec 1.-THE State Board OF Railroad
Commissioners to-day handed down report OF
It's nve tlgation into the causes OF the accident on
the New-York Central and Hudson River Kali
road at Garrison's on October "a The Commits
soners arrive at the conclusion that the tram was
either wrecked by derailment which destroyed the
embankment. the embankment gave way ana
threw tho train into the river. The Board recon-
mends that the force OF track-walkers on the Hud-
son River Division OF the New-York Central De
increased so as to provide constant and sum-
Client system OF watching ard warning along the
line.
The report is exhaustive resume OF the test-
mony taken at the different hearings, but II does
not attempt 10 give a definite cause for the acci-
dent Yet It seems 10 scout The Idea that the en-
bankment slid out into the river 1t says In part
The general public impression that the
railway embankment had gone out from the DOT
tom by sliding into the river under the impact ana
weight Of the passing train. II this belief was
found to be correct. it would have the most ser-
Gus bearing on the causes Of and responsibility
for the accident In view OF the fact that so many
miles OF the roadbed OF the line are In Ike close
proximity to the river. The evidence falls Alto
gether short OF proof that the embankment went
out with a slide from the bottom. Along the line
of the break there was found no evidence that the
everything soil or clay had been displaced or had
given way outward from the wall. On the other
hand there is strong proof that the lower courses
or foundation of the wall. resting on the riprap
base. are still intact"
The Board says the testimony OF the witness
Clare. a discharged section foreman. Is without
Importance. his statements showed untrust-
worthiness TO his knowledge Of that part OF
the road.
Tho company has within a few years installed
a costly and efficient system Of signal towers con-
neced with the block system and discontinued
to some extent the use OF track-walkers, but. In
the opinion OF the Board the establishment OF this
tower system does not altogether do away with
the necessity for a reasonably efficient track-wak-
Four final conclusions" says the report. are
that the train was wrecked either by deratlment
bankment gave way and threw the IRAN into the
river Therefore. the Board feels II 10 De us pup
lie duty TO recommend In urgent terms and 10 re-
duire that all railroads in this state whose road
beds or parts of roadbeds carried on embank-
ments lying alongside OF and washed by water
vide constant and efficient maintenance Tor such
embankment. Such and supervision VIII 90
much to lessen. II not to abate whouy' one source
OF danger. ,.sx 49, 49,
Board nor should II be regarded oy the pubic as
expressing in any sense whatever belief that the
accident which has been the subject OF THIS IN
curry and report due even secondarlly 70 a
defective embankment. IL this train was deraned
II is doubtful whether any emoankment however
rigid and sound; would have withstood sucn a
engineer who testified before the Board declared
that the weight Of this train oeing an toia oso
tons, moving ~ speed OF forty niles Z" nous' IL