Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-28
HEARING CONCLUDED
ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY AS TO
ENGINEER MURPHY's DEATH

The hearing of the testimony OF wit.
nesses in connection with the charges filed
by the members of the Brotherhood Of
Locomotive Engineers against Capt Mate
thews and policemen of the fourth pre-.
cinct, based on the death of Engineer MUIR
ply, who was pinioned under an engine at
9th street and Maryland avenue on the
evening of September II, was in progress
before District Commissioner Macfarland
yesterday afternoon until ) o'clock
"hen The Stars report of the hearing
closed j. +. Reynolds the fireman who
was in the cab with Murphy, was on the
stand. He told that Capt Matthews had
ordered him back. but that he had refused
TO go after he had told the police captain
that he was the fireman for Engineer Nur-
phy. He was then put back according n
his statement ~
H. NJ. Ball, conductor of the PennsyI.
Vania railroad. testified that Iieut Mink
hall ordered him back. He refusal 70
comply on the ground that he was "a rail.
ROAD man, but was forced back with the
what you are 'p
r. Spencer. a fiagman os the R., F. and
+; railroad, said he watching Muir.
phy when Capt Matthews told him to get
outside the ropes" He stated he told
Capt. Matthews that he was a railroad
man, put the captain said sit did not
matter. he was not in uniform
Stopped by Policeman.
w. .. Ballard, an engineer of the South.
erh railway, was stopped at 9th street and
maryland avenue by policeman. He said
ne was a railroad man. He was allowed 10
pass with the statement, We'll. I'll let Won
by. When he spoke to Murphy the unfor-
tunate engineer asked him IL he could no.
90 something for him. The witness stated
he was seized by a private of the notice
d moment 1al l.1,f,.
the ropes He did not get back, according
to his testimony
Some one had been working the jacks.
as they were under the cab" added the
witness. III"
H. A. Hetz!er. a brakeman of the p. n.
ana W. r. r.. told the Commissioners that
Murphy was digging in the cobbes IN %
attempt to free himself.
Lieut.. Mulhall, the witness stated showed
MIN, with other railroad men, back OF the
ropes. The witness also said that Murphy
was asking for hep at the time the Wit
ness and Others were driven back. He did
not see any one working the jacks at The
locomotive.
At 3 o'clock a recess was taken until 4
o'clock.
When the hearing was resumed Commits
sioner mcfarland stated that he had re-
quested J. r. GARNER. foreman of car re.
pairs of the P. B. and w r. r. Co. to
give expert testimony.
Lifting Power Of Jacks.
jacks will raise fifteen tons. and that by.
draulic jacks Will raise ten tons.
His company, the witness added has
some Jacks that Will raise twenty 10 thirty
five tons. These are kept in the yard as
Anacostla, according to witness. He was
asked to inquire to jacks used at acci-
dents and report to the Commissioners
later.
J. B. Nagel, a conductor of the Southern
railway, was standing alongside the cab OF
the overturned engine with Conductor Low
ing. it was testified, when either a polics
captain or lieutenant approached and
showed them behind the ropes, after they
had stated they were tranmen.
Frank Bruffey, fiagman of the South-
ern railway. could not get close to the en-
CINE on account of escaping steam. Get
back" a police officer shouted, according 20
the witness. He stepped back into the
crowd.
Mr. Bendheim announced that he had not
been able to secure the attendance of sew
eral persons he desired as witnesses. COM
missioner Mcfarland announced that ne
would consider affdavits by them.
The testimony of Mr. Thomas H. DOWNS
who was examined yesterday, That
Murphys left leg was the only one caught
by the overturned cab, the right leg not
being held
MI Macfarlands Statement.
At the conclusion of the hearing Commits
soner Macfarland said: THE major and
superintendent of police had been directed
to make inquiry and report on this matter
before the request made by tho
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers that
the statements of these eye-witnesses as 20
the conduct of the police at the wreck
should be received in connection with the
investigation which they desired made L
consented to hear their statements under
oath. They have been taken in shorthand
and will be transcribed and referred to the
major and superintendent of police. to-
gether with the testimony and verdict of
the coroners inquest, which l have OBJ
tanned from the coroner.
After the ma or and superintendent ot
police has made his report the COMMISSIONS
ers will give full consideration to all tho
facts which may be developed. We want
the truth. and when get it shall be
ready to act"