Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-08
WRECK REPORT IS
MADE BY S0MMER
TO COMMISSION
CONTINUED from FIRST page,

Continued from ElfSt fA9cst
,ocate6 at the "RJJ" tower, had similar
lv failed. although no accident resulted,
and that the failure had been called to
the attention. of the supervisor OF
signals by the operator there stationed;
that thereafter the supervisor issued
instructions to the repairmen 10 main
tain a close oversight over the Y
springs and contact bands in these ma
chimes.
"These instructions were, 50 Tar as
appears from the testimony, not explicit
and did not require n given cause OF
conduct on the part OF the repaiimen.
So far as appears. while these %instruc-
tions aid not require and were not fol-
lowed bv regular inspections of the en-
tire machine. the testimony shows that
inspections were made daily of the dis
lance between the * and ~ springs
and contact bands. OF these inspec-
tions no reports in writing were re-
quired or made"
The report recommended that such
further and other measures be taken
by the company as may be necessary to
prevent a failure of this machine and
its connection, making It impossible to
clear the signal when the block Is not
clear and the switches in proper posi-
ton
Continuing, the report says;
AT the investigation 1t was urged
that advanced railroad practise IA
vored the reduction of the use of writ
ten reports to tie minimum. Whether
or not this is SO, the board concludes
/ that. the requirement of the reports in
..,A.-- ~,a,Anl l,x- II 10 MT anlV
justified. but essential, as an assurance
that regular examinations and tests are
made in accordance with the contem-
plated instructions and to fix individual
responsibility, II such responsibility
exists. in the event of a failue of the
machine"
The report asserts the intention OF
the board to compel, If possible notifi-
cation of patrons as to probable delay
in the service resulting from accidents.
Ii outlines the complaints that nave
been received of the sale of tickets
without any notification of the wreck,
the fact that patrons were permitted
to board trains which We're held up
along the line, and that passengers
were refused information as to The de-
lay.
while the testimony is that the sale
was made subject to delay no expla-
nation was given to intending pur-
chasers as to the probable duration of
the delay the report says. 1t then
continues:
ION October Is, 1907, the board, recog-
nizing the Importance of notice to the
travelling public of disarrangement OF
passenger service through wreck ana
other causes, forwarded to the several
railroad companies operating lines
within this State, including the Penn
sylyania Railroad Company, a COM
munication recommending that I'M
mediate steps should be taken, when
ever the service is suspended, to have
all agents and trainmen en- route. In
/, formed, as it is important that such
particulars be given to the travelling
public in order to enable them to make
arrangements for travel with the least
possible inconvenience.
ut appears from the testimony that
after the receipt of the communication
Of the board by the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. instructions. in ac-
cordance Herewith, were transmitted
by the company to the various super
intendents. SO far as the suggestion
of the board for the posting of bulletins
in a conspicuous place at each station,
showing thereon the cause and probable
length of time h service would be In
terrupted, and, when ascertained, the
time the service would be restored. IL
concerned, investigation discloses that
the suggestion has not been generally
observed and that in the case of the
accident under investigation, the re-
naming suggestions made by the board
We're. in part at least. ignored.
THE board now repeats h recon-
mendation contained in its communi-
cation under date of October is, 1907,
and will, after consultation with the
Encouragement, promulgate an order
in accordance with the recommended
tions heretofore made, in so far as it
lies within the power of the board to
convert these recommendations into a
mandate"