New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-23
TO AVERT IL" ACCIDENTS.
Commission Reports on 9tb-aUe.
Wreck-Changes Recommended.


The State Railroad Commission yesterday adopted
a report on the recent accident at 9th-ave, and
58d-st.. in which one Of a. 9th-ave. elevated
train dashed of the structure TO the sidewalk,
causing the loss of tweve lives and injuries 10
forty persons To prevent similar accidents at the
danger point the commission makes some recon-
nendations. the most important of which that
all trains going south over the 9th-ave. elevated
structure, whether 9th-aye or 6th-ave, shall
come to a full stop before passing the switch
at 53d-st.. and that the switch there shall be
operated in connection with semaphore signal
Commissioner Baker. speaking to a Tribune re-
porter the subject after the commission had
adopted its report, said that he was still strongly
in favor Of eliminating the grade crossing at 9th
ave. and 58d-st. and later recommendation might
De made to that effect after the commission had
more opportunity to consider the question but for
the present 1t was thought wise only 20 recommend
such steps could be acted on Immediately by
the marlborough Rapid Transit Company.
II was learned later that while there had been no
consulta tion between the Interborough and the
Railroad Commission as to the recommendations In
the report, the recommendations were such as
marlborough would comply with promptly. The
bringing sll south bound trains TO stop at 9Th
ave and 53d-st it said. would not create any
congestion OF traffic the elevated roads and
would not make more than minutes difference in
the running time Of the morning express trains.
The recommendations OF the Railroad Commits
sion are the following:
l. That the two signals At and near the switch
point connecting the 9th-aTe. and 6th-ave- south
bound tracks pc replaced by a double bladed soma
phore signal, of these blades 70 govern the
operation Of the 9th-ave- trains, the other the
operation OF the 6ti-ave trains The size OF these
blades, and lights to be used in connection with
them. to be approved by this board.
2. That a stationary SLOW" sign be placed at
proper point in a manner make II conspicuous.
and that it be seen and read by mOtormen
Of all southbOund trains.
8. That all southbound trains on the local track
q full stop before reaching the above
mentioned senaphore-
4 That a rule TO the above effect be issued,
properly posted and copy OF il properly delivered
every mOtOrTnan conductor, ira inrTlan, and all
employees in any manner connected with the opera
ton Of the 6tb-ave and 9th-ave. lines
D That the above rule be rigfdly enforced.
The Railroad Commission. without intending to
influence the corouer's jury which will begin in
quest September 90. also gives IT'S judgment 10
the blame for the accident. Il finds, according to
evidence presented. that the towerrnan at his
post Of duty at 9th-ave. and 53d-st- about
minute before the accident occurred giving the
inference that he left his post of duty with the
signals set for 6th-ave train and the switch
turned to run the train into 58dst At the end the
report says
AS result of investigation, find that this
accident was caused by the mOtOrmsn, Paul Kelley.
violating the companys rules in running by
cautiOuary signal without reducing speed, and BY
running by 4 signal showing that the SWiTch was
set for 6rh-ave train, he running a SJh-aVs, one
carrying proper signals for that line
+ovvaryn contributed to the cause Of the accident
nv having the switch and signal set for shave
rain when 9t1-ave train displaying proper
signals was approaching the junction.