Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-05
STATE TO- ACT IN
| CLARENDON WRECK
Commission Will Probe w., A.
and F. C. R. R. Methods.
THOROUGH INQUIRY URGED
Action Follows Verdict Blaming Of
fcials of Line.
JURY CHARGES NEGLIGENCE
Result of Inquest Held Over Body Of
Passenger Killed in Trolley Crash.
No Change IN Operating Meth
DDS Yet in Force.
Action Follows Verdict Blaming Of
fcials of Line.
JURY CHARGES NEGLIGENCE

While the coroner's jury sitting
in the Fort Myer courthouse yester-
day i'll the case OF George T. War
ring, who died from injuries received
in the trolley crash on the line of
the Washington, Arlington and
Falls Church railroad Wednesday,
gave as its finding that negligence
on part of the officials of the road
was responsible for the wreck, there
is no law upon the statute books of
Virginia by which acts OF omission
of such character can be punished,
according to States Attorney Gram
dial Mackey, except by fine OF not
more than ST. ,ooofor each case where
it is definitely established that the Of
ficials of transportation company
have failed in their duties. The state
corporation commission has been
urged to meet at an early date at
Fort Myer courthouse and thor
oughly investigate the operating
methods of the railroad. The re-
quest was made today by Attorney
R. c. L. Moncure, who, six months
ago, on behalf of the patrons of the
road, filed charges against the cor
poration which resulted in an in
quiry. The commission is ready to
take up the matter as soon as nu-
merous complaints now on their way
to Richmond are received. From
Vice President Hubbell, general
manager of the W., A. and F. c. R.
R., the. statement came this morn
ing that probably the only change to
be made in the signaling system of
the company would be to substitute
written orders for oral instructions.
Besides investigating the law on the SUBJ
ject of the regulation Of corporations in
the state Commonwealth Attorney Gran
dali Mackey has mailed marked copies OF
all Washington papers which contained edi-
torial references to the accident on the
Washington, Arlington and Falls Church
railroad to the state corporation commits
sion. Similar action was taken by r. c. L.
Moncure, as attorney for large number OF
patrons of the road. Mr.. Moncure wrote
to the commission today, calling attention
to the recent investigation of the railway
company, and recalled the fact that the
company's case was retained upon the
docket for such future orders as might be
necessary to enter from time to time. He
made special mention of the editorial which
appeared in The Evening Star yesterday,
and in his letter severely arraigned the rail-
way and its officials.
Urges an Investigation
ssr,ta h.
Allied" Mr. Moncure said, and he urged
that an additional investigation be insti-
tuted at an early date. With this was in
Guided the request that the commission hold
a session at the Alexandria county court
house, so that all persons interested, who
have occasion to use the railroad daily,
may have opportunity to be heard. Mr..
Moncure's letter in fun was as follows:
Il am writing you in the matter OF the re-
cent investigation of the Washington, Ar
lington and Falls Church Railway COM
pany, which was retained upon the
docket of the commission for such future
orders as might be necessary TO enter from
time to time
You are doubtless advised. through the
daily papers and otherwise, of the deplora-
BILE accident which occurred on this road
on July 3, and in this connection / deem 1t
from the Washington daily papers, marked
"A and b. The editorial marked A ap-
peared in The Evening Star OF July 4, and
the editorial marked b appeared in the
Washington Herald of this date. / may add
that the coroner's inquest over the body of
George T. warning was held at the Alexan-
dra county court house on yesterday, and
had stenographic report of the evidence
taken. This report has not yet been written
up, and therefore am unable to inclose IT
with this communication.
1T is hardly necessary for me to say to
you that the conditions existing upon this
road at this time are, and for some weeks
past have been most deporable, and / de-
sire to advise you that the whole outfit
seems to be demoralized. This, believe, Is
expressing it mildly. / trust the commits
sion will again take up this investigation at
a very early date. and will hold a session
at the courthouse of this county when the
matter be Clearly brought before the
commission.
This letter is written in the interest OF a
large number of the patrons of this road
whom have the honor to represent
Il will thank you for an early reply"
The Law in the Case.
According to the analysis of the Virginia
law relating to common carriers. as made
by Mr.. Mackey, the state corporation COM
mission IS invested with power to impose
a penalty for failure of any railroad or
company to make such re-
pairs and changes as are necessary for
the protection of the public. Section 1924
this power, and 1t reads as fol-
lows:
IF any railroad or other transportation
when directed by the order of
he stnf Ton
or fails to make necessary repairs or ad-