New-York tribune., 1907-12-12
MOT0RMAN ON STAND.
TEST TRIP STRICKEN OUT
Prosecution Gains Point an Wood
la1cn Wreck Trial.

Before Justice Kellogg. in the Supreme Co,r.
yesterday. the trial of Alfred H. Smith. vicepresi-
dent and general manager of the New York Central
who is charged with manslaughter in connection
with the wrecking of train at Woodlawn Bridge
last February, continued
e r. Rogers the former subway motorman IN
charge of the electric express for Brewster. the
train which wrecked. was cross-examined by
Delaney NicoIl, counsel for Mr. Smith, and adj
mitted that the wrecked train was the first fast
train he had taken out and that he had had
only four days training on the CentraIs
trains. He said he was familiar with the curves
and signals of the route, and that he had passed
a strict examination to vision and fitness He
said he was still employed by the Central. and
considered a good man. Before taking out the
Brewster express Rogers said he had passed the
fatal curve twenty-one times, once with two loco
motives coupled.
.On any of these trips did you violate the rules
of the company that under no circumstances must
Won try to make up time?'' asked Mr. Nicon
.No replied the witness After further exami-
nation Mr. Nicou brought out that the train was
delayed in the tunnel. and, being SIX minutes late
at Mott Haven, Rogers said. ne puiled me con-
troer around top speed for the straight stretch
afer leaving Mott Haven, but reduced 1t to three
quarter speed soon after, and finally stopped it
altogether. At previous examination tne witness
declared that he had not run at full speed at this
point.
c.+e of the wrecked express over the same route
az sixty-fve miles hour for the beneht OF tne
State Railroad Commission The conuoHer' ne
said was at the points on the test TRIP as at
the time of the accident Assistant DlstieI Al
torney smyth asked If the voltage was the same
The witness did not know. The test trip was
stricken from the records
He again denied that he had ever tried to make
I'D time despite the fact that ne adIil'lei peihs
sevep minutes late at Mott Haven and having put
o. s,,r sneed The speed for ninety-three-nun
dredths of a mile SO seconds, according 10 the
schedule. he said ,., oxb,bf,.
The defence had table piled high win eAho.ts
Of various kinds and il is understood that WoIh-
80. aa1s Of steam and electric locomotives and
track representing will be introduced tor
the benefit of the jury. Both sides had nunOef
of experts in court
D,,ring the afternoon session full sized models
of the controllers and air brakes used on subway
trains and on steam locomotives were mtroduced-
Pagers mounted the platform and was explaining
noiDt by point how the power was put on Dy the
subway controller when he was interrupted py NJ
NicoIl
Are YOU reversing now2" he asked
..~o. we haven't stopped yet replied Rogers
while demonstrating the workings of steam
locomotive throttle Rogers looked out OF the WIN
dow and seemed to be ob'ivious TO MS surround-
ings.
what are you doing now? asked MI NicoH-
.C.otrg said the wit,ess and Justice Kellogg
Joined in the laugh
In reply TO Assistant District Attorney Smyth'
the Witness said he had been instructed by bulletin
IN he m
the brewster express he had relied his Judgment
regarding the speed He said he made his speed
on the straight stretches and did not exceed the
limit in taking the curve near WOodlawn Bridge.
Herbert s Ballet. chief engineer of matnten-
ance Of way of the Harlem Division, testified that
II was more than a third of mile before Rogers
stopped his train Re described the condition or
the cars and the rails when he examined them az
s.s0 the following morning n large section OF rail.
he said was torn up. that IL stood upright Only
epixa beId
the heads OF all of these were snapped on. Tha
ties upon which the rails rested. he said. wers
new and the spikes in sound condition The third
bridge.
Mr. Smith showed the jury a papier maehe
model of the S-degree curve at which the train
was wrecked and explained ali the points 10 them
Ira a. Mccormick, who was called to the stand
said that Mr.. Ballet his immediate superior.
and that Mr. Smith was the ranking official
The case will be continued to-day.