The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-09-15

me Hartford Grand Jury After the BALTIC
Lehigh.-A letter from Belair, dated Sep
TENDER 18th, says: "Quite a numbr Of th'
prominent residents OF Belair and vicinity
nave signed a petition addressed to Hugh A
Jones, foreman of the Hartford County GranC
jury, which is now in session, to investigate
the running of the Baltimore & Lehgh Rail
ROAD trains and the condition of its road. The
petition is as follows:
! Hugh A. Jones, Foreman of the Grand
payers of Hartford county, beg to call the at
tentlon OF the Grand Jury to the present con-
ditlon of the Baltimore & Lehigh Railroad.
since Inc road was brOad-gauged, few weeks
ago, wrecks Of more or less serious character
nave oeen OF almost daily occurrence. The
deiay OF trains has been constant. We believe
that the roadbed, bridges and trestles are I'M
saie Tor the heavy engines and cars and that
tne continued operation of the road in its pres
en-. condition is menace to the lives and
saIety OF the citizens of this county, to say
notning OF the loss and damage which may ac-
crue 70 the property of our people. We be-
Ileve that this is proper matter for your in
vesugatlon, and we think that we have right
10 ask that If you can, by process of criminal
law, compel the betterment of this condition,
that you will do so at once"
For some time there has been strong feel
ing That the manner in which trains are now
being run is very dangerous to all persons who
are compelled to use the road. Scarcely
train has arrived at or left Belair on time since
the Trains have been running over the broad
gauge track-now over three weeks. Accidents
on the road have become almost daily occur
renee, until now there is not person who
travels over it but experiences state of fright
from the time he enters the car until he
reaches his destination. The people of Belair,
besides being alarmed, are also necessarily put
to great inconvenience by the delay in run
ming the freight train. Some days it is not
Toll
tronoie and delay in receiving freight. The
Grand Jury will take prompt action in the
matter, and, after a thorough investigation,
will then proceed with what steps it thinks
best to adopt in the proper running of the
trains and the betterment of the roadbed and
bridges This action will be awaited with
great deal Of interest by the community at
large and all are of the same opinion-that the
road will soon be put upon firm basis in
every respect
ACTION OF THE GRAND JURY.
The Hartford county Grand Jury adjourned
finally on Thursday. In its report to the
court it says: 'The Grand Jury has received
numerously signed petitions as well as indi-
vidual solicitations from citizens residing along
the line of the Baltimore & Lehigh Railroad,
patrons of the road, asking for an investiga-
ton Of its present physical condition. In view
of the representations of so many intelligent
citizens as to the frequency of accidents since
the widening of the guage on this road, we
cannot ignore their request for an investi-
cation. At the same time the Importance of
this matter to the people of this county as we'll
as to the Railroad Company is such that what
ever investigation is made ought to be deliber-
ate and thorough, so that our conclusions,
when reached, may be entitled to as much
weight as possible. Probably we could get,
without much difficulty, reliable testimony as
to the number of times trains have been de-
layed and engines and cars derailed since the
use of the standard-gauge tracks, but accidents
alone do not prove criminal negligence in the
management of the road. No doubt the opin-
ion of any number of inexpert witnesses can
be had without difficulty as to the present con-
but we all know how hard it is to determine
what weight ought to be given to the opinions
of inexperienced witnesses in such matters.
We, therefore, very respectfully suggest that
preliminary to the investigation of the matter
by US an experienced civil engineer should be
employed togo over the line of this road with
in the limits of Hartford county and carefully
examine the condition of the roadbed and
trestles, with reference to the weight of the en-
gines and the cars now used thereon. With the
evidence of such an expert before us, we think
we will be in favorable position to consider
whatever evidence may be given before us as
to the various accidents and mishaps which
have happened to the road and determine how
far, if at all, such accidents have been attrib-
uted to q reckless disregard for the safety of
its employees and passengers. We very respect
fully make these suggestions, if they meet
your Judge James D. Watters) favorable con-
as we are informed it is within
them out, without serious inconvenience or
-