The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-23
DLAMES R. |.
COMPANY FOR
JULY 4 ACCIDENT
Continued from Page one.)

N1OutlHutu ITOill tdSt ODt-D
"The expert OF the Rhode Island COM
pany thought that the hand of the air
gauge had slipped on the spindle so that
a pressure OF 90 pounds was indicated to
the motorman while actually there was no
air pressure at ALL Also a defect In the
hand brake whereby a clamp on the cable
brought up against block under the car
when It should have gone through the
block. This prevented the brake from CIV
ing sufficient power to stop the wheels;
he also discovered that fuse had blown
out in consequence of which the air pump
had failed to work.
vFrom the testimony II also appears
that the crews OF the Rhode Island COM
ceive them at the state line; they take
them on the assumption that they are
right. The motorman who drove that car
for the Old Colony company testified that
he had no trouble with the car that day.
He acknowledged that he didn't know
much about the air gauge and its work
ings and didn't use the hand brake and so
knew nothing as TO whether II would work
properly or not.
After the accident blown-out fuse
was discovered In the wreck. When IL
blew out is unknown TO the motorman
and I understand that they use fuses 30
constructed that they blow silently so that
one may blow and yet be unknown to the
motorman. That may have been the real
trouble in this case. Before reaching Six
Corners the pump was operated all right
but at the top OF the Taunton avenue hill
II could not be operated. II the fuse blew
out between those points II was unknown
to Jennelle. Even the experts are unable
to tell when II blew out Jennelle appar-
emily tried every. experient known to car
men to stop that car, but nothing seemed
effective. Though expecting to be killed
himself yet he would not leave his car.
and to saw the lites of his passengers he
stuck to his post and sacrificed both his
legs In the general wreck.
"Munroe. unconscious OF what was hap
pening behind him, stood at his post on
the front platform OF his car, which was
the Fall River bloomer and the middle
one Of the three cars. Just ready to start
ahead, his car received the full'force or
the ~mpact from the runaway car and he
was jammed against the car in front of
him; he was found pinned down by the
dasher and controller box; he was extri-
Gated by other persons removed to the
Rhode Island hospital and died a few min
utes after his arrival.
BELIEVE CAR WAS OLD ONE.
These appear to be the facts, accord
ing to the testimony, and I believe that
the car No. 545 was an old car run by
the Old Colony company and was defect
ive' in more than one particular; that
either the company's inspectors were ig-
norant of or wilfully misrepresented It's
age and condition.; that the Rhode Island
company In accepting cars without In
spection by themselves are taking long
chances and are ignorantly inviting SINH
lar facilities. II air brakes can become
ineffective without the knowledge or the
men using them, then some means should
be adopted to make them safe.
Therefore, In view OF the testimony, /
find and certify that Paul Munroe. on the
4th day Of July, 1907, at the Rhode Island
hospital came to his death by reason or
violent injuries to the body causing hem
orrhage and shock as confirmed by the
autopsy made by William III. Magill, M.
ID. and fled herewith that said injuries
causing hemorrhage and shock were
brought about by the running away OF a
defective electric car owned by the Ola
Colony company and operated by the
Rhode Island company, and not by the
act or neglect of any other person or per-
sopao