Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-12-30

Boston.-The state board Of railroad
commissioners has just closed its pub
lie inquiry into the recent Baker bridge
disaster on the Boston &c Maine rail-
road Engineer Horace w. Lyons OF
the Montreal express, which crashed
into the local, causing terrible loss of
life, told his story, answering the ques-
tions put him by his counsel, Hon. John
P, Feeney of Woburn; counsel d. j.
Rich for the railroad, and members of
the board
In reply to questions by counsel Fee
ney the witness said that he had work
ed chiefly as fireman on passenger
and freight trains. His first expert
ence as an engineer was last summer.
His experience as an engineer had been
chiefly confined to work on a shifting
locomotive in the yard, but he had also
worked for five days as an engineer
Of freight train, and one day on a
passenger train.
On the day of the accident he went
to the locomotive house at $50. The
Montreal train left at 746. Up to that
time he had not acted as an engineer
on an express train. The train con-
sisted of nine cars and two engines he
being in charge of the first, or pilot en-
gine. He was delayed in the yard by
signal to slow up.
At Lincoln he was half minute late,
but supposed that the local was at least
five minutes ahead At Lincoln he saw
a fusee and red light. He shut off
steam on passing the fusee, and from
that time did not turn on steam again
up to the time he hit the local train.
He also put on the air brake and
checked the train somewhat, but it
did not stop. When he saw the lights
of the local he put on the emergency
brakes, but the train did not stop
Z. j. Rich, counsel for the railroad,
said: "Then the real cause of the
accident was that you could not see
the red lights on the other, train,
wasn't it?"
Attorney Feeney Immediately inter-
posed an objection, saying that it was
for the board to determine the cause
of the accident.
In response to questions by Chair
man Jackson of the board, Engineer
Lyons said that he had worked for two
and one-half years as fireman on an
express train and was familiar with
that part of the road where the acci-
dent occurred.
Engineer Lyons said that the speed
at Lincoln was about 25 miles per hour,
as near as he could judge. The sched-
ule called for faster speed than that,
but it was uphill to Lincoln. He used
the air brakes about halfway from
Lincoln to Baker Bridge. The speed
was about 20 miles per hour after us
ing the brakes and when the other
train was struck he could see under
Baker bridge.
He was not over 100 feet from the
local train when he first saw it, He
Immediately put on the emergency
brakes, but his train did not stop. He
sat in his seat until the train struck
the local.
In response to further questions, En-
gineer Lyons said that he was ready to
take charge Of the express train when
told to do SO, and was confident of his
ability to handle it. He had a head
ache that afternoon, but did not speak
of it,
This closed the examination Of the
engineer.
Attorney Feeney said he wanted the
board to investigate whether or not
men are Obliged to work over 16 hours
per day without a lay-off. He also
wanted the record of the dismissal of
a man named De Angelon, who was
discharged for refusing to work over
time and subsequently reinstated.
He also wanted a chance to examine
the man who approves the weekly pay
roll of the road, as he will know how
many engineers and firemen work
overtime.
In response to questions by Attorney
Feeney, Assistant Superintendent
Smith of the Fitchburg division, said
that spare men are rated as we'll as
regulars, but do not get as much pay
for the first six months.
Chairman Jackson announced that
the public hearing was closed after
asking IL there was any eye witness OF
the accidence present who wished to
tell the board what he saw. None such
responded.