Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1906-01-04

uSSS6S.
He said he should show by people
who saw the fire long before. Kauff-
man did, that the smoke was coming
through the roof before any fire was
seen, that smoke was seen coming'out
of the building before the down train
came in-all, and more than this
would he show by the witnesses for
the defence.
Rufus Hill, of Stanwick, N. j., the
master mechanic of the railroad COM
pany. who testified at the last trial,
was the first witness called by the de-
fense. He said he was familiar with
engine No. 6045. This engine was
fitted with a spark arrester. He had
small model of the engine for illus.
tration.
William Montgomery, of Lakehurst,
N. j., master mechanic of the Cen trail
Railroad of New Jersey, was the next
witness; he examined the model on
exhibition and said he considered this
the very best device in use for the
prevention of fire and throwing of
sparks There is no screen, however,
thatl will, under all circumstances,
prevent the escape of sparks.
His evidence was largely technical
and concluded the session.
Thursday Morning.
Court opened this morning and the
case of More. Jonas Go. against the
West Jersey & Seashore R. r. Co. was
resumed with William Montgomery,
master mechanic of the New Jersey
Central Railroad, on the witness
stand, for the defence. From the
umber of witnesses-scores of them
from the Fifth ward, it is plain that
the defence will put up big fight.
The cross examination of Mr.. Mont
gomery was by Mr.. Bacon. He was
asked if an engine with a hole in the
screen similar to those described as
existing in engine No. 6045 would be
likely to emit sparks large enough to
start fire. He said it would.
Would such sparks be likely to
start a fire on dry roof of build
ing?'
81 think it is probable. was his
reply.
"That's ALL said Mr.. Bacon.
Martin McAllister. a locomotive
machinist, was called. He was asked,
after describing his position and.sex-
perience and knowledge of locomotives,
"What becomes of all the coal that is
shoveled into an engine during the
trip?"
Some of it is consumed, but great
deal goes out through the smoke
stack"
"How often are the ashes taken out
of the engine?"
eat the end of every trip"
Gross. examination:
"Why is it not practicable to exam
inc and inspect an engines fire screen
oftener than once a week."
Because the fire would have to be
taken out"
"Do you regard an engine with
defective fire screen as safe against
setting tire?"
"No, SIR
''If it had a hole in the screen an
inch in diameter would it throw out
sparks large enough to set tire?"
"Yes, sir
Thos. Manion, master mechanic.
gave similar testimony.
Joseph J. Cook was called. Said he
was acquainted with engine No. 6045.
The screen was composed of three
pieces; the screen is fastened around
the side and back part to an angle
iron. one side of which is bolted to
the smoke box and the other side
bolted to an angle iron to the dia.
phram. The screen lies on the top of
the angle iron, and comes up to a
flange on the exhaust pipe. Messrs.
More, Carney and Hampton had.testi-
fed that this screenIhad been exam
ined by them oil July 5th, for which
privilege they had paid $l5 to two
men. More and Carney described the
patch of z inches by inches which
was of coarser mesh than the other
portion of the screen, and that a hole
an inch in diameter was:in another
part of the screen, and onsthe side of
the screen was a ragged hole OF an
oblong shape-the screen being in SO
much defective. Mr. Cook was asked
it the patch on the screen could be
seen by person looking into the head
of the engine He said an experienced
man might; man who looks after
thatakind of work could, do it standing
ON the cross piece but not while stand
ing on the ground; there.was a trap
000r in tho front 0f tho screen on an