The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-28
CORONER C0NCL UDES INQUEST
 INTO WESTPORT CATASTROPHE
Benjamin l. Spock, Railroads Attorney,
 Reprimanded For Form of Questions

had it's full quota of men. He said that that the labor market has been poor little Irregularities pointed out the other day when George E. Everett fingers. were nothing more or less than what could be found on any piece of track. He said that the con dition of the tracks was absolutely when the wreck occurred, preparing the roadbed. Since the wreck the work has been suspended to allow for an inspection of the roadbed. Wit ness said that the fact that there was no apparent damage. to the rails a result of the wreck was one indlca- substantial condition. Under pressure witness declared that there were con ditfons that were not good. He was questioned at length as to the defects that were pointed out. Witness per sisted in the contention that the road bed and tracks were in good, safe the conditions were due to the fact that the road didn't have it's full quota of men. Witness said that the annual removal of rotten and worth less ties would have been put for ward a few weeks. That was the only result of having a full quota of men,
 Witness said that the longest cross eight degrees and IS minutes. That crossOVer is at New London. There is another long crossover at Bridge
 
 Witness was asked if he knew any reason why No. 20 crossover couldn't be put down where the pres ent Mo- IS crossover is located at Westport Witness replied he knew of no reason. He was then asked why the derails had been laid so near the switch. Witness did not know as he had nothing to do with planning the road and track layout
 Witness said in reply to Attorney e m h trouble in securing. help as in other sections of the road. He said that he knew of one contractor who offers $2.25 a day. The railroad pays $1.60 day and pays for overtime work. Section employees get paid on wet days as well as dry days, are furnish ed fire wood and transportation. Wit ness read records showing that or derS were issued for the removal of old ties. He said that many of the ties pointed out by Everett as being worthless were, in the judgment of the railroad officials. perfectly satls- factory and that it was the intention of the road to keep them in the road bed. The orders were to mark every tie. that should come out the follow ing year. Witness said that 3,200 new ties were ordered for this sec ton this year. This allows for a margin over the actual needs. Chest nut and oak ties are the ones mostly used. Chestnut ties last six or seven years. Oak lasts about four years The creosote ties made of yellow pine last about 15 years.
 Witness said that the wearing of a grove into tie doesn't show the in- feriority of a tie. This condition is due to sand and dirt wearing into the wood at the base of the rail. The tie plates which were shown on the tracks were said blythe witness to be in existence 15 sor 20 years. Their general use dates back to the begin ming of the identification of the road. Now the tie plates are being put to more general use all over the country The spreading of the rails, witness said, is not an unusual condi- ton, especially at the head of the
 Thomas F. Hogan, track supervisor, testified that he has Jurisdiction of the Westport section. He testified as to tie renewals. The Westport sec booths. In 1909 there were 4,20O ties put in. In 1910 there were $500; in 1911, SASS and this year up to pres ent time 3,218 ties. This years alIot- ment is $500 for this year. The en- tire number of ties would be 15, ,OSS it would require 25,624. Witness be- lieved that the condition of the track had nothing whatever" to do with the wreck. The coroner asked railroad tie was good by fnSpec- ton. When the witness replied that he didn't believe a 1ayman compet- ent to judge Coroner Phelan said: e.-I have seen other roadbeds that ap- peared in very much better condition and yet do you consider that these tracks were in safe condition ?'' Wit ness was insistent that the tracks were in good condition. He said the road employees wouldn't sleep nights if they were unsafe. until after they were re- paired.