New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-25
STEEL TIES TWISTED
CAUSE OF DISASTER.
Railroad Men Blame Track Con-
struction for p. r. r. Wreck.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Pittsburg, Feb 24-The steel ties placed at
Mineral Point curve experiment by the
Pennsylvania Railroad are now said TO have
caused the wreck Of the eighteen hour flyer late
Friday night. An effort is being made by the
railroad and the Carnegie Steel Company. which
made the ties, TO blame some other cause. The
most damaging evidence against the ties, how
ever is contained in the first brief report of the
wreck made by NJ. W. Forbes conductor of the
wrecked train who shortly after the accident
filed this report at the Mineral Point tower:
Cause Of wreck. spreading rails"
The piles of bent and twisted ties at the
scene Of the wreck tonight bear evidence Of
their failure to withstand the speed Of heavy
express trains. They show that should one car
leave the rails the wheels would bend the ties
so badly that every car following would also
leave the track An order sent from Phila-
delphla that the track torn up by the wreck
shall be replaced with wooden ties, although
there are hundreds Of steel ties more accessible.
is also considered Significant
The manner in which the steel ties are fas-
tened to the rails with bolts and square nuts is
said to be dangerous. The heavy trains passing
at high speed are said TO be likely to cause the
rail 10 cut through the bolt and spread, and this
IS given by expert railroad men here as the
cause Of the wreck.
The report Of the conductor asked for
but was not intended for the public. II was
seen by newspaper men who arrived at the
tower a short time after the wreck.
Vandals started TO work on the wreckage
at Johnstown soon after the workmen arrived
TO clear away the wreck According 20 sew
eral persons who remained the scene OF the
wreck during the day. the greater part OF the
vandalism was committed by employees Of the
railroad company. Detective Robinson, Of Johns
town was in charge Of the work Of pro-
tectinE property, and in one instance he found
a man alleged 70 have been member Of the
train crew, taking diamond studded gold
watch Four men were arrested and confined
in "a car on a siding, buy made their escape dur
ing the day.
The condition of the passengers injured in
the wreck is reported tonight from the Altoona
Hospital and the Allegheny General Hospital
in this city as excellent. John F. Kline, post
master Of Joliet. Ill, who IS the most seriously
injured. passed a favorable day. and It IS said
will recover. All the others are recovering, and
will soon be able to return to their homes.
Philadelphia. Feb. 24-The Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company issued a statement to-day in ex-
PLANTATION of the wreck near Jamestown. Of the
Chicago special. The statement is the result Of
an investigation made by A. c. Shand. chief en-
gineer; J.. r. Zollinger. engineer maintenance Of
way, and Herbert NJ. Carson. assistant to Cen
eraI Manager Atterbury 1t is stated that the
only tangible evidence OF the cause of the acct
dent found the broken brake hanger, as
stated by the management yesterday"
The statement further says:
With reference to the steel ties which form
part Of the track where the accident occurred
the committee informed General Manager After
bury that the three-quarters Of a mile OF steel
tie track west Of the derailment and small
stretch east Of it were found TO be in perfect
condition. This led the committee to believe
that the entire length Of track qupped with steel
ties was in excellent condition before the ac-
cident occurred.