The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-06-23
Verdict of Coroner's Jury
BlameS Motorman and
g. Conductor.
ACCUSE OPERATOR
OF CARELESSNESS
Loss of Nine Lives Will Go Before
October Grand Jury-Tes-
timony Conflicting.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd, June 23.-HeiI 20
have been negligent by the coroners
jury investigating the wreck which
cost nine lives and injury to a score
Of passengers on the Washington, Bal
timore, and Annapolis electric line
June ;, Conductor Edward BernascO.
il behalf OF himself and MOtorman
George Wadsworth. implicated with
him, is today making plans to fight all
criminal proceedings against the crew
OF extra train No q.
BeTnasCO, previous TO the Jury's YER
dict, returned late. yesterday afternoon,
had been charged with manslaughter,
and was in custody of an officer. Wads-
worth, who suddenly disappeared from
his home in Washington. and, 1t IS re-
ported, left for his former home IN
Ohio, did not attend the inquest, al
though the Maryland authorities made
an effort 70 have him do so. When
the jury rendered its verdict, Coroner
J. n. Davis and states Attorney y. II.
Green agreed that an effort would be
made TO bring Wadsworth back on a
manslaughter warrant.
Coroner Davis said this morning that
AAAG tNAANAANS LoLhNAA b@ADAO -A-' Je--J
would be laid before the grand jury
of Anne Arundel county at the October
term Of the circuit court Conductor
Bernasco, owing 20 his injuries, is still
confined TO the hospital, where he is
attended by q guard
Mr.. Davis said that his office would
not take the initiative in bringing any
charges against Operator Schumacher
at Annapolis, criticised by the jury for
his Ignorance, but that this would
also be up 20 the grand jury.
Jury Blames Three Men.
The verdict of the jury, delivered az
ter more than three hours deH0e-a-
ton. was:
I'VE find that the said Mary z.
Green came TO her death on June 5
in a collision between car No. =, extra
from Annapolis to Academy Junction,
and train No. l33, bound for Annapo-
lis. said accident being caused:
First. BY NotOrman wadsworth and
Conductor Bernasco receiving defaced
or scratched orders.
Second BY the inexperience and ig-
norance OF Operator Schumacher in
issuing scratched or defaced orders IN
direct violation OF rule S34. book or
rules governing movements Of trains
and duties Of employees.
Third. That the conductor and mo-
tormau OF train p should have taken
precautiOn 70 clear regular train No.
1913 FIVE minutes, in accordance with
rule 900.
Fourth. That there was negligence
in the movements OF the trains on June
8, 1903
Conductor Bernasco, who was in
court swathed in bandages at the time
the verdict was read, recel red It with
rTrT
he Immediately announced his lnten-
ton TO engage counsel and fight the
issue. as he did not regard his crew
as guilty Of any negligence.
Did Not Know Rule.
The criticism of the Annapolis oper-
ator followed his own admission on
the stand that until after the wreck
he did not know II was against the
rules 10 give defaced or scratched or
ders. He had done so. however, he
said on the explicit instructions OF
Chief Operator Scott, at Academy
Junction, who, after debating the orig
inal order for No q, told the Annapo-
liz operator. so he testified, 70 scratch
out" the clause about meeting the res
ular at Best Gate, and change il 10
report at Best Gate"
There was considerable conflicting
testimony addUced at the inquest. the
chief point at variance being between
Conductor BaTnascO and Operator
Schumacher. The conductor insisted
that Schumacher in giving him the
written order supplemented i with a
verbal one, saying the coast was clear
To Best Gate Schumacher emphau-
cally denied this, saying he admOnisheO
the conductor To look out for regular
No. lg3. which was already behind time
and which cOllided with the extra be-
tween C,amp Parole and. Best Gate, the
extra endeavcrinE 70 make the latter
point before the regular passed.