The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-01
BLOCK LAW VIOLATED
B. & O. Official Tells How
Wreck Happened.
EXTRA SHOULD HAVE WAITED
SuDt Galloway Declares Either
Operator Phillips or Engineer
PrecautiOn In Observed at Terra
Gotta Because of Heavy Grade.

Special 20 The Washington Herald
Baltimore, Md. Dec. 3l-The official
statement of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road as to how the wreck occurred was
made to-day when Superintendent of
Transportation c. w. Galloway returned
from Terra Gotta TO Baltimore
lie states: Train &c. which is 2 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. 20 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 6.3L The collision oc-
CURED at Terra Gotta, two miles east of
Takoma. or 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 20 enter the block under any cir
! cumstances until the passenger train has
passed beyond the next block in advance,
/ and the operator has a 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
/ soIuteIy block for freight trains.
PrecauuOn 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. ana has been followed for sew
eral years At the time Of the accident
the passenger train mad passed Silver
Spring station and out Of the next block.
at Takoma, and was entitled 10 the block
between Takoma and University, the next
block The extra train, with engine 2l2o.
passed Silver Spring at 6.2S. and should
have been held at Takoma until the pas
senger 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, OF stop" signal at the
time the train with engine 2l20 passed his
block station. The operators statement
that his lights were burning and his red
signal properly displayed is corroborated
by Policeman Kennedy, OF the District OF
Columbia, who was AT Takoma station
when the train passed. and by the com
ipany's crossing fagman at that point.
Engineer Hndebrand. Of engine s120
states there was no block signal displayed
at Takoma, and that, while II was foggy.
he had reduced his speed after passing
\ Silver Spring 10 such an extent that ne
was able 10 see the signal mast at TIA
koma. and is emphatic that no signal Of
any kind was displayed thereon. No one
of the crew of engine 2120 had given
any information as 10 the position OF the
signal. claiming. on account OF the fog,
they could not see il
Engineer should Have stopped.
IF. as stated by the engineer. NJ. signal
was displayed at Takoma. it was his duty
10 stop and ascertain the reason there
for, but IN the absence Of an official in
vestigation, I am not prepared to make a
positive statement in regard 10 response
bilty. Official investigation will be-
promptly made 20 properly place respon-
sibility. The investigation will be most
thorough. and as soon as full information
is had an official statement viii be issued
West Of Baltimore the line is opet$
b under the manual block system. and tn,
movement Of all passenger trains is made
under the absolute block signals. Thi.
system has been in successful operation
in the territory where this accident oc
CURED for fifteen years, and had this ap.
; phance been properly handled or OBJ
served the accident would not have OC
p Cured All parties connected with tn,
movement Of these two trains and witt
the operation Of the block have long ane
efficient service records, and have been re-
garded By the management as thorough,
/ competent men,
Compliments Authorities.
Continuing. Mr.. Galloway said:
: 4 cannot speak too highly Of the CO.
operation received from and the exceIlen
service rendered by the physicians o.
. Washington and the District authorities
j The District Commissioners and their DO
e lice officials were early on the ground wit,
the ambulance corps of the hospitals civ
service, and also that Of the army most
all of whom did everything possible +,
relieve the suffering of the injured an,
care for the dead. The discipline and or
J der Of every one was most excellent ,ndet
the trying conditions and contribute,
greatly 10 prompt relief"
FIRE CHIEF MAKES REPORT