Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-07
CONTINUATION OF
THE TESTIMONY
Getting at the Facts ct the
Terra Gotta Wreck.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
Authorities Intend to Probe Horror to
the Limit.
AS TO ELASTIC BLOCK SYSTEM
White Light at Silver Spring Meant
Clear Block to University, En-
gineer Declares.
Authorities Intend to Probe Horror to
the Limit.
IS TO ELASTIC BLOCK SYSTEM

After rest and a retrospect yes
terday, the officers who are investi-
eating the railroad disaster at Terra
Gotta brought into play at the in
quest today sober second thought,
and the result was the development
OF important matters, some of which
had been overlooked for the time.
1T was shown to be the determine
ton of the authorities to probe the
horror to its extreme length and
breadth in order to arrive at the cor
rect conclusions. The oft-repeated
query, "Why was a 'deadhead' train
OF empties allowed to dash along
behind a crowded accommodation
train? was given consideration this
morning by the inquisitors. 1t was
in evidence that there was no neces-
sity for holding the empty equip
ment train at Washington Junction
until the local passenger train &c,
which is required to stop at almost
every bride path, had passed that
station, when, as witness testified,
there was plenty of time to go
ahead of 90.
Engineer Hildebrand testified at the in
quest today that he first saw train &c at
INV
placed the cause ofAthe terrible catastro-
phe on the elastic block system as some
of the railroad officials had attempted to
place 1t upon the crew of the train drawn
by locomotive 212O. Asked whether the
rules required him to be cautious while
following passenger train, his reply was
regarded as significant and full of meaning:
Under such conditions, all others, we
depend upon the block system
Engineer Hildebrand also stated that had
he received white light at Silver Spring
and had there been no signal whatever at
Takoma Park he would not have stoned
at Takoma Park, that station lis dead
at $50 o'clock" white light at Silver
Spring, he added, would have given him a
clear track TO University
Another interesting point deyeloped toda Y
was that the smoke and steam from the
funnel of 2l2O mingled with the prevailing
fog and practically blotted out from the
view OF the engineer the surrounding coun-
try and also the stations the ''deadhead''
train whirled past in its alleged race toward
Washington to follow another train out
OF this CITY over the Baltimore and Wash
ington division at $50 O'clock accordinp
to schedule placed in evidence 1t was
shown that TakOma Park station appeared
as blur to those on 2120. as the big mogul
rushed past to crash into train &c a few
moments later.
Fifth Day of Inquest.
At the opening this morning of the fifth
day OF the inquiry conducted by Coroner
hewitt into the causes of the wreck at
Terra Gotta Sunday, December 30 F. l..
Hewitt. postmaster at Silver Spring, was
called as witness. He is acquainted
with Operator Dutrow.
What time did you reach Silver Spring
station Sunday night?" the coroner asked.
AT $40 o'clock" Hewitt replied land
j bought ticket to Rockville. Mr..
Dutrow told me then that a wreck had
occurred on the road, and he did not
know what time 1 could get a train"
Did you notice the signals set at Sill
YER SPRING"
Il saw Mr.. Dutrow with a green Ian
tern In his hand at 1880 o'clock and he
said he intended hanging IT up. Before
that l saw red. green and white lanterns
sitting on the floor"
who is the regular operator at Silver
SPRING"
At this point Engineer Hildebrand was
recalled and asked when he first knew
train &C was ahead of him.
Il saw it at Washington Junction wit
ibid your instructions as engineer of
an extra require you to look out for all
'nder such conditions. as all others
we depend upon the block system"
How much salary do you get as en-
I'm I'm the ratio of 1915 for each 1oC
miles"
Question Regarding Earnings.
WAS Il not to increase your earnings
that you slept only eight hours between
Friday morning and Sunday night?'
NO, sir"
What would happen to you If you re-
fused to take out 212O from Cumberland"
IF | had claimed rest l would have got
ten 1t. but felt that had sleep enough"
Have you ever known of engineer
being suspended for declining to take Out
his engine?"
Not that / know OFF,
EFF you had received white light at Sill
yer Spring would you have stopped upor
seeing signal at Takoma Park?'
mo, I am not required to stop. Takoma
Is dead at $40 o'clock. A white light woulC
have given me a clear track to University
I'm your testimony on Saturday you SAID
you saw the base of the signal post at Ia
koma Park. Did you not see the top of it
II saw no lights there"
How many stations on the road between
Washington Junction and Washington clos,
at $50 In the EVENING""
81 believe l have my book showing that >
Hildebrand replied, and searched his peck
cts accordingly.
But don't you know without referring
TO a book?'
"Takoma Park Forest Glen and Randolph
are all, / believe"
How many at o'clock in the even
ing?''
University"
Was II not a fact that you were calle
out at Cumberland to run the extra cas-