Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
FILE THEIR REQUEST
Locomotive Engineers Want
Police Investigated.
ATTORNEY OUTLINES CASE
Claim Railway Men Were Prevented
From Rescuing Engineer Murphy.
VICTIM OF RECENT ACCIDENT
Commissioner Mcfarland Directs
That Thorough Investigation BE
Iade-Deit's Statement.
Commissioner

The Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engl-
| neers, through Attorney Charles Bendhem.
| this morning asked Commissioner Macfar-
| land for full investigation of the charge
that members OF the police force Of the
fourth precinct kept railroad men and
others back OF the police lines when En-
ganaer Hugh Murphy was pinned under a
locomotive at 9th street and Maryland ave-
nue. southwest September II. It is claimed
| the railroad men were in possession Of ap-
planes with which to raise the engine
| and release the engineer.
Mr. Bendheim presented written state
! ment to the Commissioner. which, In part,
stated:
In behalf OF Thomas H. Brickiey, Her.
bert Linn. Joseph Jones and John Wat
kins, representing Division No. 3l7 Brother
hood Of Locomotive Engineers, Alexandria,
Va, and Harry c. Sparks. John w. Rull-
man and Parker A: Nelson. representing
Division No. 100; Brotherhood OF Locomo-
tive Engineers. Washington. d. c.. re-
specially request your honorable board TO
order an oflcial investigation Of the con-
duct Of certain officers Of the metropolitan
police force Of the District OF Columbia
on the occasion Of an accident. which oc-
CURED at 9Th street and Maryland avenue
southwest this city, about the hour OF 1875
pm. on September II. 1858. when Hugh s.
Murphy. an engineer OF the Southern rail-
way, received injuries resulting in his
death.
The engine OF which he was the engineer
jumped the track and overturned, pinning
him beneath its cab
Alleged Interference.
while the work of rescue was being
prosecuted by experienced and competent
men, who were eager to release the unfor-
tunate man from the agonies Of his posi-
ton. 1t is claimed that these officers,
through a misconception of their duty in
the premises, interfered with and drove
them away from the work In which they
were engaged. This action on their part
delayed for twenty or thirty minutes the
extrication OF the suffering man. 1t Is pos
sible that his life may have been saved had
1t not been for this unwarranted assumD-
ton Of authority.
1T Is charged that they exhibited an
utter lack Of competency at time when
the exercise Of but ordinary prudence and
judgment may have been instrumental in
preserving a human life
This complaint is made in no spirit Of
vindictiveness. The desire to guard against
possible repetition of such conduct Is
what actuates the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers in calling this matter to
your attention. 1t IL believed that an off,
ciai ascertainnaent OF the facts may lead
to the adoption OF some plan whereby bet
cured
AT such time as you may deem advis-
able to designate there will be produced
the witnesses. whose written statements l
have now in my possession.
Investigation to Be Made.
After a short conversation with Mr.
Bendheim Commissioner mcfarland told
him he would that the matter was
thoroughly investigated and to that end
l,1 olr So
intendent Of police to make inquiry and
report. He sa.. he would be glad to get
the statements OF the eye witnesses, and
that he would name an early day when
they could appear, be sworn and have their
statements taken In shorthand.
Commissioner mcfarland subsequently
stated that he would be glad to receive
the statements Of the railroad men and
other eye-witnesses Of the death of Engi-
neer Murphy. and would see that they had
the fullest consideration but without wait
ing for them he had directed Major Syl-
vester to make full report on the al
legged censurable conduct of Captain Ma
thews and the police Of the fourth pre-
cinct at the scene of the accident. The
matter. he said. will be investigated thor
oughiy and proper action taken
Commissioner Mcfarland last week talk
ed over the matter with Major Sylvester
and Chief Engineer Belt last week before
learning that the railroad mems organi-
cations were investigating it. and received
observations. Major Sylvester also began
his inquiry. Commissioner Mcfarland has
also asked Major Sylvester for a report
on the allegation that the police were CEN
surable in their conduct at similar ac-
cident in the eastern tunnel.
Will Welcome Information.
Mr.. mcfarland wishes 1t understood
that he will welcome any information
from any responsible quarter which will
serve to bring out the truth and to form
a basis for the action which the Commits
sioners will take later He said:
IF the police are shown to be at fault
they will be properly dealt with. and II
not. they are entitled to have that fact
known"
AS to the fact that Capt Mathews, in
TRYING to keep the crowd back, struck
Capt. Dixon OF the fire department. who
was not In uniform, Mr.. mcfarland said
he had satisfied himself from the state
ments of Maj. Sylvester and Chief Belt
that Capt. Mathews did not know that
he was striking member Of the fire de-
be within the police lines and also that
Capt. Mathews. having explained and
apologized to Capt. Dixon, the latter was
satisfied However, the incident will be
covered in the report to be made by Maj.
Sylvester, 1t was stated.
Chief Belts Report.
Chief Engineer William T. Belt of the
the Commissioners on the overturning of
the engine attached to Southern railway
mail train No. 80 September IL. which
resulted In the death Of Engineer Murphy.
He says: The department was called at
1886 pm. on the 18th instant to box Az.
7th street and Maryland avenue southwest
When the department arrived upon the
scene 1t was notified that the alarm was
sounded for the turning over of a very
large steam engine attached to passenger
train No. 80 Of the Southern railway. En-
CINE Companies Nos. 4. ID and IA and truck |
3. Deputy Chief Engineer Wagner and my |
self responded to this alarm. We found |
that In making the turn from 9th street |
into Maryland avenue the engine and ten |
der attached to Southern railway train No. |
80 in some manner left the track and turned |
over on the side. 1 am fully of the opinion |
that it was caused by the spreading of the |
track.
I'VE found Hugh Murphy. white. aged |
thirty-siX years, residing at No. 918 King |
street, Alexandria. Va. and the engineer Of |
the train, lying on his stomach, with his |
left leg pinned under the engine. From |