The Washington times., 1907-01-09
Brother Operator TeSti-
fies Against the Silver
Springs Man at
Inquest.
Statement of Two Ac-
cuSed Trainmen Do
Not Coincide.
Coroner'S Investigation
of Wreck May End
This Afternoon.

Testimony highly detrimental to
Operator Dutrow, who was on duty
at Silver Springs on the night Of the
Terra Gotta wreck, was given on the
stand today at the inquest by Oper-
ator Moore, of Kensington. The
most scathing aspersiOns were cast
upon DutrOw as an operator, and
Moore said he deemed him highly
incompetent and inefficient. Moore
said that the Silver Springs
operator had displayed an incorrect
signal from his tower a month ago.
In reply 10 the next question. how
ever. he admitted that Dutrow was
not stationed at Silver Springs at
the time the wrong signal was put
up. Operator Dutrow is kept under
surveillance by central Office detec-
tives.
Dutrow was recalled this morning and
compelled TO give his complete history
as an operator OF block signals and as a
telegrapher. Dutrow reiterated his denial
that he was nervous and excited Sunday
night because he felt any responsibility
for the wreck
Edward Willmore, a colored man. who
was on train &c when It was wrecked.
told his experience. Detectives Parharn
and OBrien, who interviewed the crew
or train 219O after the wreck, also testi-
fed.
Stories Do Not Coincide.
Statements accredited 10 HIIdebrand
and Hoffmier do not coincide In every
detail with their testimony On the stand
In statements 70 the detectives. how
ever. they said they got a double green
signal at Silver Springs This they have
insisted upon during the entire inquest,
although Dutrow says he displayed q
white one for them.
The inquest is rapidly drawing 20 a
close IL Is thought probable that the
nearing VIII be terminated this after
Commissioners mcfarland and West
nave been present at the inquest each
day, and this morning they propounded
may questions for the witnesses 10 am
swer. uteratOr DutrcW Is being k,.t,i
under surveillance by Central Ofrice
detectives
StoufeTt on Stand.
W. Q. stoufert. telegraph operator
at Washington Junction. was the hrst
witness called this morning.
rs there a standard clock in your
tower?"
Il don't know whether OF not II is
standard, but there Is a clock there.
-Tratnmen supposed 10 compare
their watches with it?"
- don't know if ii is a written rule.
DO you get u o'clock daily from
washington"
Yes"
Get Il Sunday"
Not supposed TO on Sunday"
Get Il Saturday, December 97''
Yes"
Regulate your clock then?"
William L. Moore, operator al Kens-
Inston. who next took the stand, said
90 passed his station at 6:l2 on the night
or the wreck. Inis, he said, vas about
eleVeh minutes late. Witness said his
station was kept open twenty-four
Did you hear from Randolph after
6:l3 o'clock"
Have you ever called Randolph be-
fore $50 and failed to get a reEpanse %
Yes. About two months ago.
ASKED II ne ever had any confusion
GslEASAEEA
silver Springs, witness said mo" but
added that on one oceasi he could
not get response.
has anything on The wire or In the
message ever given you the Impression
that the operator at Silver springs
signing himself ID (Dutrow), was other
than a thoroughly competent and EN-
Client operators"
'Ch, yes
Tell us what Il WASP"
Most OF the beginners learn figures
quicker than words He sent figures an
right, but when IL came to messages
he didn't seem 10 understand"
What time did No. IS enter your
blOCkg'
"9:ss o'clock Sunday night"
What signal did you give him?"
HE stopped at my red target"
What time did you let him by?'
"s:44"
What signal did you give him."
white"
WHY
Because silver Springs reported that
the last preceding train had passed
there"
u