The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-06
THE HEARING AT A CLOSE
OPERATION OF DOUBLE HEADERS
LIES WITH COMMISSION.
Briefs Are to he Submitted by the
Attorneys-Trainmen ON the stand
for the Railroads.


Austin, Texas, April 5.--Before tho rail-
road commission this morning Clay Wall.
an engineer on the Galveston. Harrisburg
and San Antonio west of San Antonio. was
the first witness examined, He testified
that double headers are no more hazard
Gus to engine crews than single headers
according to his experience, Good time
is made on double headers on the road
on which he is employed. Preferred to
run on them for that reason. Did NOT
consider the crew of the second engine at
a serious disadvantage in the matter OF
view.
Cross-examined, witness answered that
he had been requested to appear at this
hearing to tell what he knew of double
headers by Division Superintte dent Mar
tin aud that he was here in compliance
with that request. Had been an engineer
seven years aud had never had an acct
dent in that time. Repeated that in his
ardous than single headers Sixty cars
might be too much to put in one train to
be handled by one conductor and two
brakemen, Double headers are run for
speed on the Galveston, Harrisburg and
San Antonio. There is difference between
running double headers for speed and
running them for tonnage. Did NOT know
that the Ell Paso lodge of hremen had
ever passed resolutions condemning dou
le-headers. Was not present when such
a resolution was adopted. Was present
however when subsequently, such reso-
luton, was resclnded and when 1t was de-
cided to notify the San Antonio lodge that
double headers are not objectionable on
the Galveston. Harrisburg and San An
tonic.
C. NJ. Cunningham, locomotive engi-
neer on the FL Paso division of the CAL
weston, Harrisburg and San Antonio. was
the next witness. He had fred three
three years aud been an engineer two
years in said division. Had never eXpe-
rienced any extra hazard on double head
ers as compared with single headers. Pre-
ferred running on the former Had expe-
rienced no difficulty in starting or stop
ping the two engines of a double header.
No reason why two experienced engineers
should have any difficulty in this particu-
lar. Never knew OF a man getting hurt In
his life starting a double header COM
pany property is the principal sufferer In
accidents occurring in starting double
headers Had operated the second engine
and experienced no inconvenience from
the smoke and dust OF the first engine nor
found any difficulty in looking out for the
safety OF the train. Either engine has the
power to apply the air or handle the train
in case the other is disabled.
On cross examination witness said that
the Galveston Harrisburg and San An
tonic runs ITO and 100 ton engines on its
Ell Paso division which are not worked to
their full capacity No difficulty in NOV
ing trains without jerks as soon as en-
gineers become accustomed to double
headers.
D. X. Colburn, superintendent Of bridges
on the Galveston, Harrisburg and San An
tonic, testified that his read has been re-
inforcing its bridges for five years. b.
cause of the concentrated weight OF the
extra capacity freight cars which it has
been adding to its equipment during that
period. some OF these cars weighing more
when loaded than the heaviest engine on
the line.
d. II. Toomey. travelling foreman OF en-
pineers on the Galveston, Harrisburg and
San Antonio, had seen and worked on
double headers on several railroads.
Double heading has been the practice Oh
the Southern Pacific in Texas for ABOUT
transcontinental freight. Had not found
double headers extra hazardous. calves
weston, Harrisburg and San Antonio ensiT
neers had expressed q preference TOT
double head runs. The smaller the mum
Der of trains run over road the Tess
the chance OF accident Double-headerS
can be started as smoothly as single.
headers where instructions are followeo
and Jerks can with experience be aVoiuei
in travelling over ridges.
Recess to 2 p nj.
Al the afternoon session Witness Too
mey said that in all his experience ne
had never seen a pilot bar pulled on
nor heard OF one being pulled off. Couid
not say that one would not pull out now
ever. In other respects his testimony was
similar to other witnesses introduced oy
the railroads. .,,
James II. Valley OF Houston. travelling
conductor on the Galveston. HARRISBURG
and san Antonio. was the next witness.
Has been in the employ Of the southern
Pacific for fifteen years and hau eAy',
epce Witt double headers on other reaus.
Never considered them more dangerous
than single headers. Never has oeeh
complained TO about them by southern
Pacific conductors on account OF the Dan
eer Incident thereto. Tho increase ID ous-
iness on the southern Pacific during tns
past year has been the occasion ior .ns
employment OF as many trainmen as wouiu
have lost positions on account oil inc
adoption OF double heading.
BY agreement Counsel Baker was PEI.
mitted to state what General Manager Nau
Week of the Galveston. HARRISBURG sna i
San Antonio would have testified TO nai
he been present, Mr. Van Week WIS an
sent on account of the illness Of his wie,
The statement which was allowed 70 60 ~
the record was TO tho effect trat dour,e-
heading was adopted by he Southern RI
lcihc not TO save tonnage. bus - save 'lpS
| In the movement OF tralscoltinsn,al
freight in competition with the Canaa'an
Pacific. the Unioa Pacific and other iines.
A telegram from Division sirerintenaenl
Scott OF the sarta Fe was read. earees
ling his testimony given two days Eo a.
| to comparative statements Hubmitfe1 ~