Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-23
MoT0RMAN ACQUITTED.
Accident on Pennsylvania Avenu,
Yesterday Unavoidable.

4esCefoay U0avoaoADle.
Frank A. Knighton. the motorman of
tho Capital Traction Company car which
collided with the trailer Of q second car
yesterday morning on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. near ~ street.. in which q number OF
persons including two congressman were
badly shaken up and injured, was ar
raigned before Judge MuIlowny Of the
Police Court this morning charged with
violating the police regulations In failing
to maintain the proper distance Of 100
fest between his own car and tho car
ahead Of him. Several witnesses were
heard and after + was definitely estab-
lished that the motorman was not to
blame for the collision q verdict OF &C.
Quittal was rendered.
Guiding the car inspector at one Of the
traction company's barns, who testified
to the condition of the brakes Of the COL
liding car after the accident For the
prosecution Edward Bartel. Dennis Win
ton and Joseph Jones, who were upon the
scene at the time Of the accident. testified
to seeing the defendants car approaching
the car In front of him at q fairly rapid
rate Of speed and Knfghton's, efforts to
tighten his brakes. They stated that he
succeeded in closing his brakes, but at
the time Of the collision the wheels became
locked and the car was sliding along the
track owing to the slippery condition OF
the rails at that point.
The fourth witness, George w. Sharkey.
car inspector at the southeast car barns.
testified that he examined the brakes OF
the colliding car shortly after the acct
dent and found them to be In perfect
working order. Under cross-examination
the witness stated that the car was in
excellent condition, SO far as he could
ascertain.
The defendant, in his own behalf.
stated that he was coming along Pennsyl-
vania avenue at a reasonable rate OF
speed and. when about $50 feet away
from the trailer of the car in front of
his brakes. The car apparently slowed
down slightly, and as he approached
nearer, he stated, and the front car failed
to move. he began Tightening the brakes
again, but they failed to diminish the
speed. Seeing that a collision was in
evitable unless he could stop the speed
of the car he reversed the motors and
continued to work the brake. without eff
feet. He stated he was first under the
impression that the brakes failed to work.
but an examination showed that the
wheels. although locked. slid along, the
track.
At the conclusion Of the testimony of
the defendant the court rendered a YER
dict Of acquittal.
Inquiry this morning showed that the
COuOlItOu VI oil VI ttOCC uuIC IIC dCCIs
dent yesterday morning is favorable, and
that no serious consequences are ex-
pected.
Representative J. A. Tawney of Mime
sofa, who was one Of those injured. is still
confined to his room at the Shoreham.
He suffered considerable pain from the
injury to his shoulder. and may not be
able to return to the Capitol this week.
August Eccard Of 1928 New Hampshire
avenue. also among the injured. is con-
fined to his bed. He was seated on the
front seat Of the open trailer. and when
the accident occurred was thrown forward
against the dash and made insensibie.
He regained consciousness in a short
while, however, and was able to go home.
Benjamin Fiery Oden. private secretary
to Representative Flood Of Virginia. Is
confined to his home. His condition is
not critical. however. sand he will prob
ably be able to resume his duties in few
days.
It was reported this morning that the
other parties injured in the accident are
able to be about. although some Of them
are still suffering from shock and bruises