Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-07-15
DEPEND UPON THE EAR


Testimony Concerning Non-Occur-
renee of Noises Lis Untrustyvorthy.
The investigation of the catastrophe
nj Valley Stream on Long Island, in
which picnic wagon and its occupants
were crushed by locomotive. brings
put much apparently inconsistent tes-
timony. One of the most important
points of inquiry is whether or no an
electric bell signaled the approach Of
train at the road crossing. It might
seem an easy matter to determine such
question as this; but little refiee-
ton shows us that testimony as to the
nonoccurrence of noises is extremely
untrustworthy. How many people hear
the clocks strike in their own houses,
unless they have especial reasons for
listening to them? On such point the
evidence of one person that he did hear
clock strike is worth that of dozen
that they did not. On the other hand,
it is not quite true that the testimony
of an engineer that he rang the .sall
and blew the whistle at a particular
point on his route is conclusive. AS
Stunning the testimony to be honestly
given, we must bear in mind the psy-
Geological principle that action regu-
larly repeated tends to become auto
matte action leaves little trace in the
memory. Hundreds of men have to
swear every day to facts that they can
not recollect, such as affixing their
names as witnesses, etc., and their evil
dence is good because their signatures
and other circumstances confirm it.
But it would be worthless unless so
confirmed, and hence the evidence OF
engineers and fremen as to their Civ
ing due warnings must always be re-
ceived with some caution.
A singular incident that took place
on the Central Vermont railway some
time ago shows how many conditions
require to be observed in determine
ing the existence of very simple fact
with scientific accuracy. One of the
division superintendents of that road
received repeated complaints that at
certain crossing the prescribed sig
nails from the locomotive were omitted
The engineers were reproved and
warned, although they all protested
that they had never neglected their
duty. Finally, since, of course, the mat
ter might prove serious one at any
time for the railroad, the superintend-
ent determined to get his own evidence,
and, privily stationing himself in o
suitable position, he saw locomotive
approach and pass without whisthnp
or ringing the bell. On that locomo-
tive, however, there happened to be one
of the railroad detectives, who had
made up his mind to look into the
matter for himself, and who actually
blew the whistle and rang the bell with
his own hands. When the superintend-
ent returned to write the discharge
of the guilty engineer he was confront
ed with the evidence Of the detective.
To end the matter they both went to
the spot and found that from a GER
tain point they could see the puff Of
steam at the whistle and the bell in
motion, but heard no sound from
either. An expert was called in. who
recommended the removal of a GER
tain piece of forest, which being done.
the signals became audible at the cross
ing. Prof. Henry long ago showed that
sounds may be heard by person at
distance when they are inaudible to
one nearer, and it is evidently neces-
sary for railroad officers to ascertain
not only that signals are properly
given. but that they are actually audi
BILE when they should BEN. Y. Post.