Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-05
sYLvESTER'S REPORT
Statement by Police Chief as to
Engineers Death.
REVIEWS THE TESTIMONY
Calls for Additional Evidence From
Competent Witnesses.
ATTEMPT TO CONTROL CROWD
Conference Of Interested Railroad
Men-Further Action Probable
Use of Lifting Jacks.

Commissioner West. sets forth that the
reserve force of the fourth police pre-
cinct. in command of Lieut. Mulhall, pro-
ceeded to the scene of what proved to be
a, railroad accident about 7:4o o'clock pm.
The reserve force under Lieut.. Mulhan
consisted of only four men. Captain Will
liam II. Mathews about 7:45 o'clock pm.
proceeded with his full available com
the wreck. This should have placed Capt
mathews on the ground about 8 o'clock
pm. Observing the situation with a large
crowd already gathered and being con-
tnually augmented. he promptly tele-
phoned for the reserves from the first and
sixth precincts. This placed Capt. Mathews
as senior officer in command at about
o'clock pm.
Keeping Back the Crowd
1T is learned upon reports submitted"
Major Sylvester says; that Capt. Mathews
on arrival at the wreck, found the unfortu-
nate engineers body pinioned under the cab
of the engine, and around about him were
a number of District firemen, commanded
by Chief Belt. and several citizens. pre-
sumabiy railroad men, who were making
strenuous efforts to relieve the suffering
engineer from his deplorable condition
Whlfe on the side. the captain reports were
several railroad officials one of whom. w.
r. Green. supervisor, remarked to the cap
tam, They cannot do anything to get him
out until the wreck train arrives but it
satisfies them to try The captain states
1t required all Of his time to keep the large
and growing crowd from pressing in upon
the workmen and the dying engineer
Further, he states, that himself and men
dld not keep back or put away any person
that was engaged in the work of rescue,
out, on the contrary, protected them which
there is testimony to sustain The cautain
states that his heart ached for the unfortu-
nate man, and that he sent and procured
spiritual aid and comfort at his request
yxy1,n T,,,&
is alleged to have struck Capt Dixon of
the fre department, 1t is given me by re-
port that the stretcher upon which the in
lured man was to be placed was located in
front or capt. Mathews who said he antici-
pated a rush to that point when the BODY
was secured, that such took place and
among them was Capt. Dixon, without uni
form, cap or coat. 1t is stated that Cant
Mathews was seized by the arm and be-
came exasperated at the persistency when
he endeavored to free himself, and then it
was ne struck him with his hand 1t is
given me that explanation was made and
apology followed, and that this incident
was determined in hearing by the Com
missioner, although if harsh language was
H;e by capt. Mathews to Fire Marshal
Nicholson. as stated in the testimony, that
charge should receive proper attention and
disposition.
Matter of Proof.
AS to Captain Mathews ordering railroad
workers away, individually or collectively.
that resolves Itself into a matter of proof.
as does the charge Of harsh words or ac-
tons toward certain people, the captain de-
nying that such was the case and counting
an investigation by the authorized board:
and as to giving any orders-looking to the
interference with assistance, that also re- |
solVes Itself into a question of establish
ment by board investigation"
Major sylvester calls attention to the fact |
that Captain o. W. Loving, the conductor |
OF the train which was drawn by Engineer |
Murphy's locomotive said that as far as he |
was capable of Judging he did not see |
where the action of the police could nave
been improved upon. The superintendent of
police also briefly reviews the testimony of |
Captain William F. Lanaha Richard H. TAI
bot. Henry Banjo. s. Terry ]. c. Dakin, Sam
tain. c. e. Langyher, Frank urogan, DR..
H. T. A. Lemon, G. L. Heflin, G. W. Fors-
berg, Martin Wiegand, DIR. Willard F.
Thompson, Rev. ]: T: Kelly, Orval Fraser,
wards, ]. w. Pierson, w. ]. Stuart Francis
Hughes, ]. NJ. Smith, E. T. Harvey, B. F.
w. F. Barrett, H. H. Frye, w.
H. Lester, A. w. Gale. H. A. Cole, Chief
Engineer Belt, and those of his service, |
Sergeant DUNCAN, Sergeant Lee, and mem
bers of his command; Lieutenant Hodges
and those who were under his direction, and
w. F. Green, to the effect that there was no
with railroad men by the
police.
considering the testimony offered, the
Identification Of the person who is charged
with interfering with Mr. Moffitt was not
established, and inquiry has failed to
IDENTIFY him. Maj. Sylvester says. 1t is
stated he had a cap on, and that Mr.. Mof-
lit returned two or three times, but wheth-
n it was Capt. Mathews, Lieut. Mulhall
)r bicycle private is not stated or known. |
Continuing, the report says: -. L. Rey- /
holds testimony is to the effect that Capt.
Mathews was harsh and ordered him back |
hough he was anxious to assist at rescue |
md Mr.. Reynolds charges that the captain
ordered Capt. Loving, conductor of the Ill
,ated train, away. The sta tement of Capt.
rary and he applauds the action Of the
police.
ION the other hand. the testimony of Mr..
spence is to the effect that he was ordered |
way as "a railroad man by Lieut. Null |
lall three times; that of ]. S. Hutchinson
charges that the lieutenant ordered him |
pack and carried on 1t is claimed by |
abroad men who were trying to get under |
he cab were pushed back.
1.-THE testimony taken in a large measure
allied to bring out or in any way identify |
members of the force or firemen who drove |
my person assisting at the rescue back.
Earnest and Sympathetic.
"As to any action of Capt. Mathews,
lieut.. Mulhall or others who may have
Exceeded or neglected their duties, these
Ulcers maintain that they were earnest
nd sympathetic in the unfortunate emer-
,ency which it became their lot to handle,
nd that in the darkness and with over a
thousand people to regulate. as we'll as to |
rotect the rescuers and the fire depart
nent, they employed Their best means ind {
Intelligence in accordance with law, the | !
equations and the spirit of humanity, and
hey court an investigation If deemed
roper under the law which provides it | '
hall be before a trial board a
''The police of the fourth precinct, which |
the locality of the wreck, have |
uring the past year labored under a dis
greeable duty in having railroad regula- +
ions to enforce which might, in a measure | :
ause some of those likewise working for |
read and butter to feel that the police | =
1ere harsh at times. but the enforcement | Il
( these requirements were not of their | r