The Washington herald., 1907-01-10

After learning the verdict of the coro-
ner's jury in the wreck inquest COmmis-
sioner AIacfarlaRd issued "A statement, in
which he pointed cut some of the salient
developments Of the inquiry. Further, he
outlined certain important reforms in
the methods Of operating trains and the
harding Of the employees of the rail
roads. which he will endeavor to have
effected. His statement follows:
Pending the coroner's inquest l have
uot felt at liberty to make any comment
upon the merits OF the case. but / feel
free now to say that the facts disclosed,
while they upset some theories put forth
in the excitement of the calamity, show
clearly that both the system and indi-
yiduals operating it were blamew0rthy.
The coroner's jury having, To the extent
OF its verdict. fixed the responsibility in
this particular case, it is for the United
States District Attorney TO determine
what, If any. further steps looking %
criminal prosecution should be taken.
Certainly the coroner. the official rep
resentative of the District government in
such matters, did his duty with thorough
ness, impartiality, and good judgment
and he had the assistance Of everybody
whose help he needed. The Commission
ers set aside all other engagements and
spent every day of the week at the in
quest doing their regular work between
sessions and cO-Operated with the coroner
by suggesting questions and otherwise.
with the aid Of the corporation counsel.
Many Gave Aid.
THE representatives Of the United States
District Attorney and counsel for the rail-
road company and the railroad men also
suggested questions. and the jurors
brought out by their questions interesting
information. All phases OF the subject
were therefore fully covered. All the re-
sources OF the District government were
utilized to get TO the bottom of the case,
and in this connection the excellent work
Of the police department should be men
toned
The Commissioners were desir0us not
only 10 see the responsibility for the ter
rible accident dXed. but 10 secure data
which would furnish a basis for amend
mcnts OF the laws that would tend to
prevent such accidents In the future
Without attempting at the moment TO
mention all the things which the investi-
cation developed as necessary, il may be
said that il was clearly shown that an
block system signal stations should be
open throughout the tweaty-four hours.
and in charge Of competent men. perform
ing no other duty. working in eight-hour
shifts after efficient examination and
under clos supervision which would re-
quire them o. report their presence at
f1r
Ger.
FevoTs English Me1hOd.
I'm addition the block-signaI stations
should be So connected electrically on all
roads, as is the case on some Of the roads.
not including the BALTIMORE and Ohio, that
two given stations must cooperate stimuli
t1neously before a train can enter the
block which they govern. Under this
method. first used I'm England. the opera
toy ut the farther station, 10y an electrical
device, opens the way for the train at the
station which 1t must pass to enter the
block. All clocks in block signal stations
should be electrically regulated by stand
ard time. The human element cannot be
eliminated but it should be minimized To
The utmost
Then, too, the Interstate Commerce
Commission might we'll be required 10
investigate all railway accidents. as the
board Of trade does in England, and
where the railroad companies are found
culpable, impose penalties upon them.
1T is understood that the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad will voluntarily apply
some Of the lessons of the investigation
10 the improvement of its service on the
A. Hsaa.
Legislation can deal with the matter
Congress should provide permanent
laws. and shall recommend TO
the Commissioners that they present sUcn
legislation primarily for the District 10
Congress. The awful calamity affect
ing every section of the District and
bringing the entire Capital into sorrow
may have one good effect IL the de-
crease Of such accidents in the future"
West IndOrSeS Verdict.
Commissioner West spoke in the
highest tel ms Of the verdict and the eff
cient work done by the jury and the
coroner. He was firm in the opinion
that the system of the railroad was
faulty. and that radical changes must
CnsUc. The Commissioner said:
The verdict as rendered is the re-
suit of painstaking care on the part
Of the coroner's jury. which from the
first gave evidence that it fully appre-
ciated the responsibility placed upon it,
The verdict is in accord with the testi-
mony given. and ought to lead TO ma
terial improvement in the operation Of
railways. Every one who heard the
testimony viii agree as TO the propriety
of cOndemning a faulty system"
nrnpr DIAN M CHE D D q