The Washington herald., 1907-12-20

That the Washington Terminal Com
pany and the Union Switch and Signal
Company, through their agents. are re-
sponsible for the recent wreck at the
southern end OF the new terminal tun-
mel. was the conclusion reached by the
board OF Commissioners yesterday, as
a result of an investigation made By
them November %. 20. and 80.
The accident occurred November 49,
and was caused by the misplacing of
the switch at the cross-over near the
north end OF the tunnel.
The Commissioners conducted the ex-
animation for the purpose Of fixing the
responsibility of the collision.
Decision of Commissioners.
After generating the trainmen of
train 215, the finding OF the Commits
sioners was as follows:
1t appears from the testimony that the Washing
ton Terminal Company. through its agent, Mr..
George W. Martin. asked the Union Switch and Sig
nal Company, through ito agent, Mr.. G. ]. Nc
Caulley, % arrange the switch in question. which
had not yet been turned over by the Union Switch
and Signal Company and spiked down that
II could be used. with the statement that ii 10
be left in the position, namely the one which
permitted the souubound trains 10 follow the south
bound track; that the work intrIsted by Mr..
McCaIlley 10 employees Of his company, two Of
shown 10 have been the men who took out the
spikes. which left the switch apparatus open 10 ma
npulation; 70 have been the last at the switch
before the accident occurred. and who are said by
the witnesses 10 have been by him manipulat-
ing the switch Just before the accident occurred and
Just after southbound train had passed safely down
the southbound track.
Two Employees Responsible.
Apparently. these two men are most directly re-
sponsible for the accident. But it the duty Of
the Union Switch and Signal Company, through
some higher and supervisory officer, &c see that
the switch left in proper position. and also
that it not left unguarded. and It the duty
Of the Washington Terminal Company TO see that
the switch delivered by the Union Switch and
Signal Company in the proper condition and posi-
ton. and that it was guarded by employe of the
Washington Terminal Company 20 prevent the very
thing that occurred. 70 the injury Of a number of
people which might have resulted in terrible dis
aste.
switchman- When 1t unspiked by the employees
Of the Union Switch and Signal Company, even
they ignored their instructions in unspiking IL.
II should have been guarded by switciman Of
the Washington Terminal Company, the Union
Switch and Signal Company. after the work neces-
sary 10 meet the instructions Of the Washington
Terminal Company had been performed, ought 70
have guarded the switch until IL was formally
turned over 20 the custody Of the Washington
Terminal Company. which ought 20 have guarded
It from. that moment, and the Washington Terminal
Company. as the manager Of all The traffic business
through the tunnel, ought to have taken the pre-
caution Of having its representative nj the switch
ready to take it over before the Union Switch
and Signal CCmpany's representatives left IL
Suggest Use of Motors.
The inquiry developed the fact that the darkness
and the smoke in the tunnel prevented the train
men from seeing where they were. and also that
If the accident had occurred in the tunnel the con-
dition Of the trainmen and the passengers would
have been made much more dangerous Therefore.
il seems clear. first that the tunnel should be
lighted from end to end in both tubes; and, sec
ondly, that none but SnokeleSs motors should be
used in the tunnel
Commissioner Mcfarland has moved
that the testimony taken by the Com
missioners, together with the above con-
illusions, be transmitted to the United
States attorney for the District of Co
lumbia, with a request that he determine
whether prosecution can be brought IN
der any existing law, and. If not, that he
advise the Commissioners so that they
may recommend to Congress the amend
ment Of the law IN this particular.