The Washington herald., 1907-01-01
BLOCK LAW VIOLATED
b. 4 0. Official Tells How
Wreck Happened.
EXTRA SHOULD HAVE WAITED
Supt. Galloway Declares Either
Operator Phillips or Engineer
HiIdebrnnd Is at FnuIt-speeiaI
Precaution Is Observed at Terra
Gotta Because of Heavy Grade.


Baltimore, Md. Dec. 3l-The official
statement Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road as 70 how the wreck occurred was
made to-day when Superintendent Of
Transportation g. W. Galloway returned
from Terra Gotta TO Baltimore
lie states. Train IS, which is a local
passenger train. operated between Fred
erick and Washington. passed silver
Springs at 6.I p. m. and TakOma. the
next station east, at 6,26 p. m. and had
stopped at Terra Gotta, two miles east OF
Takoma. to pick up local passengers. Fol
lowing the passenger train was a special
Of empty passenger cars with engine 2l20.
This train passed Silver Springs at 6;2S,
and Takoma at 6.31. The collision Oc-
CURED at Terra Gotta. two miles east Of
Takoma. OF about one and a half miles
west Of University. the two block sta
tons operating this section Of the road.
The entire metropolitan branch is
operated under the absolute block sys-
tenn Under this system. when a passen-
ger train is on the section Of track be-
tween two block stations, no other train
Of any class in the same direction is per-
mitted 10 enter the block under any cir
cumstances until the passenger train has
passed beyond the next block in advance,
and the operator has report of such
clearance. when he is permitted TO let an
other train into the block. Ordinarily,
freight trains are permitted to follow
other freight trains into the block under
caution signals. but on the section OF road
where this accident occurred, special pre-
caution has been taken, in that this sec
ton Of the line is not only absolutely
block for passenger trains. but is also abb
solutely block for freight trains.
PrecautIOn Because of Grade.
This extraordinary caution was deemed
desirable on account Of the grade, and to
insure the same safety in the movement
of freight trains as was made for passen-
/ ger trains. and has been followed for sew
lcral years. At the time Of the accident
the passenger train had passed Silver
/ Spring station and out Of the next block
LAT Takoma, and was entitled TO the block
between Takoma and University, the next
block The extra train. with engine 2l20
passed Silver Spring at 6.2S. and should
. have been held al Takoma until the pas
seuger train had passed out Of the block
. at University.
The operator at Takoma stated his sig
nal was in its normal position, properly
displaying red. or stop" signal at the
time the train with engine 2110 passed hi.
. block station. The operators statement
! that his lights were burning and mis-
signal properly displayed is corrobora
] by Policeman Kennedy, Of the Distric
S Columbia. who was at Takoma sta
. when the train passed. and by the c
pany's crossing Aagman at that point.
Engineer Hndebrand. Of engine
states there was no block signal displa
\ at Takoma, and that. while ii was fog
E be had reduced his speed after passul
p Silver Spring TO such an extent that b,
! was able To see the signal mast at Ia
koma. and is emphatic that no signal OF
any kind was displayed thereon. No one
of the crew of engine E20 had giver
. any information as % the position OF n,
signal, claiming on account of the fog
they could not see it,
Engineer should Have stopped.
D If. as stated by the engineer, no sigma
. was displayed at Takom3, it was his dut!
p TO stop and ascertain the reason there
+ / for, but in the absence Of an official In
10 vestigaJion, am not prepared 10 make
e positive statement in regard 20 responsi
Z biHty. Official Investigation will b
S promptly made 20 properly place resp0n
sibility The Investigation will be mos
s thorough. and as soon as full information
p is had an official statement viii be issued
3 West Of Baltimore the line is operates
D under the manual block system. and tn
E movement Of all passenger trains is mad
under the absolute block signals Thi
system has been in successful operation
7 in the territory where this accident oc
$ CURED for fifteen years. and had this ap
S pliance been properly handled or Oh
5 served the accident would not have oc
CURED. All parties connected with In
n movement OF these two trains and wit
70 the operation OF the block have long an
10 efficient service records, and have been re
garded by the management as thorough
competent men"
Compliments Authorities.
Continuing. Mr. Galloway said:
r I cannot speak too highly Of the co
operation received from and the exceIIen
I service rendered by the physicians q
p Washington and the District authorize,
n The District Commissioners and their DC
e lice officials were early on the ground Wit
T. the ambulance corps Of the hospitals, cit
service and also that OF the army Dos
all of whom did everything possible {
: relieve the suffering of the injured an
u care for the dead. The discipline and on
u der Of every one was most excellent unde
e the trying conditions and contribute
greatly 20 prompt relief"
# FIRE CHIEF MAKES REPORT.
z Sent Men tn Scene of Acr;d,. =.