The Washington herald., 1907-07-05

4 cor0ner's jury composed Of six
reputable citizens of Virginia yesterday
held an inquest over the body Of George
T. Waring a victim Of the Fort Myer
wreck. and their verdict was a sweeping
condemnation of the officials Of the Wash
ington, Arlington and Falls Church Rail
way Company.
The testimony of the witnesses, who in
cluded officials, employees. victims. and
passengers of the road. all tended to
bring out the points dwelt on by the jury.
that the wrecked car was crowded ana
In "a dcCaved condition. that neither writ
ten instructions. telephone or telec-sphic
Communication had ever been employed
on the road; that verbal orders were en-
tirely depended on. and that the funda-
mental reason for all this was not the in
efficiency of the superintendent but the
panUrious policy of the company
The statement made Wednesday by
William Mock. the motorman of the
wrecked car was completely borne out by
the testimony at the inquest, and he was
exonerated from all blame, while the ad-
missions of Robert Crack, the motorman
Of the car preceding the ran car and Of
his conductor, William Morgan. that they
did not tell Noel, that the car was fol-
lowing. were heard and PASSED over by
the jury.
The awful suspense and sorrow Of these
two men when they realized they had
forgotten their orders was reflected on
their faces when they repeated to the
jurv the incidents following that realiza-
ton
Second Car Passed switch.
Another point brought out by skillful
cross-examinatio0 was that the car fol-
lowing the wrecked car also passed the
switch. and would have probably collided
with the rail car if the other had not
This was due to the fact that John Hum
mer. the motorman Of the car following
the wrecked car. forgot the orders given
him by Morgan, and thought the track
was clear.
Mock was spoken of in terms Of the
highest praise by all concerned in the
accident. and they were relieved to learn
that the brave mOtOrman has a good
chance of recovering. His companion.
Wilbur Loveless. is in a slightly worse
condition. but Dr. Moran. of the George
town University Hospital, is the author
fly for the statement that his chances are
even.
Three OfHciaIs Implicated,
The verdict Of the jury directly impli-
Gates three men, J. A. Hinchman. presi-
dent Of the road; c. H. Hinchman. his
brother, secretary and F. 3.
Hubben. vice president Superintendent
r. r. c. Garrett, who was the chief wit
ness yesterday afternoon, will probably
not be held liable as the testimony yes
terdav afternoon clearly demonstrated
the fact that he was merely an employe
of the company doing his best under ad-
verse circumstances.
After the verdict COmmOnwealth's At
toTncy Crandal Mackey would make no
statement as to the course which would
be followed by the State, but said that
he would take no action for "a day or
two. II is customary TO await the action
of the grand jury. but as that body does
not meet until October il is thought that
a special jury viii be impaneled, and
warrants swprn out Immediately.
Jury Views Victims Body.
The rail fence in front Of the Alexandria
courthouse was lined with fy-netted
horses when the coroner, Dr.. S. T. Ash
ton. led the jury to the body Of George
7. Waring and explained to them the
nature Of the wounds which had caused
his death. The courtroom was crowded
with men Of every ayoCation when tho
coroner placed the jury in their box and
called oy4tbeir names.
T. WI Graham, Of Ballston, real estate
agent. WAS the foreman, while the other
members Of the trial board were as fol-
lows. j. Kennedy Campbell. real estate
man. BaHston. William Ball, contractor
Clarendon; Arthur J. Porter. contracBr
Ballston; a. c. Mertens, contractor, Clar-
endon; William II. Suite, merchant and
postmaster. Bcllaire.
a murmur of approval went up when
Sheriff Palmer announced that the court
was in session. and everybody settled
hack in their chairs when Deputy Sher-
sf Howard Field placed the witness chair
iun1er Superintendent Garrett
} Gathered about the lawyers table, be
sides Coroner Ashton, were Common
wealth Attorney Crandal Mackey, r c.
H.. Moncure. W. G.. Collins. and G. W
/ Garner, the last three being attorneys
for the wreck victims. although they were
reticent as TO the persons whom they rep
resented. No attorneys for the railroad
were present
superintendent Garrett Testifies.
Superintendent Garrett, examined by
Mr.. AIaCkey, gave the following testimony.
L have been the superintendent of the
road fer nine years, during which time
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