Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-04
VIEWS Of AN OFFICIAL
Verdict Expected From Evil
denCe Now in Hand.
RUNNING TRAINS ON SUNDAY
Operation of the Block System May
Be Condemned.
DANGER SIGNAL SET AT TAKOMA
Engineers Are Expected to Sound
Whistle Whether Station Be
Open or Closed.
DANGER SIGNAL SET AT TAKOMA

That the coroner's jury now en-
gagged in investigating the railroad
disaster at Terra Gotta station last
Sunday evening will render a verdict
holding Engineer Hildebrand for the
action OF the grand jury and con-
demning the operation OF the pres
ent block signal system was the
opinion of an important official, as
given by him to The Star this after
noon. He said he formed such opin-
ion after listening to the testimony
that has been given at the inquiry,
particularly that today OF Operator
Phillips OF the Takoma- station
Under the questioning OF Assist
ant United States Attorney Charles
H. Turner the operator at Takoma,
Mr. Phillips, proved to be most I'M
portant witness. He said he did not
hear locomotive 2I2o whistle as it
approached Takoma, whereas the
rules require all approaching loco
motives TO whistle at that point,
whether the station is dead or
live, as warning to pedestrians
and teams. Mr.. Phillips also de-
clared he had a red danger signal
set when 2I2o dashed by the station
at the rate OF at least fifty miles an
hour that Engineer Hildebrand did
not stop his train and return, as
Phillips expected, but continued on
TO Terra Gotta, where the tragedy
was enacted.
1t was explained that trains fire.
quently run by stations having the
red signal displayed, but always stop
and run back to the signal station, or
are given instructions to proceed
after they have stopped. 1t was also
given in evidence that the signal sta
ton at Takoma is sometimes closed
at 6:25 o'clock pm, after the pas
sage OF the Frederick accommoda-
ton train, No. %.
The enigmatic hieroglyphics OF the
block signal system caused some de-
lay in the investigation today, and
resulted in the recall OF Witness
Detrow. The question why the empty
equipment train was allowed by the
railroad authorities to run 50 close
upon the heels OF an accommodation
train, crowded with passengers, at a
crucial time OF the day, was suggest
ed by law officer.
There were important developments today
Al the investigation that is being conducted
by Coroner J. Ramsey hewitt before a jury
~ six citizens for the purpose Of fixing the
responsibility for the disastrous railroad
wreck lasl sunday evening at Terra Gotta.
Operator Phillips Of the Takoma signal sta
tion proved 10 be the most important wit
ness yet placed on the stand. His testi-
mouy did much to partly clear away the
mystery in which the matter has been en-
shrCuded.
Assistant United States Attorney Turner
look an active part in the examination OF
me witnesses, and developed several facts
that will have significant bearing upon
the case.
Foggy and Smoky.
1t was shown that the atmospheric condi-
tions about the neighborhood of the scene
OF the wreck were foggy and smoky. That
the smoke from the engine of train sc min
gled with the fog. and hanging low, made
the atmosphere very thick. After the dis
aster, it testified, Operator Phillips
found by actual measurement that he could
see the red danger signal at Takoma a dis
lance of twenty eight PAGES.
Another important point to be decided Is
said to be whether Engineer Hidebran nd