Evening star., 1912-07-21
People Barred From Running
Boards of Cars.
RAIL COMMISSION TO ACT
Every Effort Will Be Made to En-
force the Law.
PROSECUTION NOT LIKELY
Criminal Negligence Not Charged
Against Motorman Utterback in
Caspar Case Inquiry.

sing the accident Friday night at 9th
and [ streets northwest, I'm which John
Michael Caspar was killed while riding
on the running board Of a car which
was struck by another car, as an ex-
ample OF the danger to passengers who
are permitted to ride on the running
boards OF street cars. the District cleo
trio railway commission will more
vigorously than ever seek to enforce
the law forbidding passengers stand
ing on the running board when street
cars are in motion.
The coroner's Jury yesterday decided
that the accident was due to the incom-
petence and carelessness of Motorman
Arthur Utterback Of the 7th street car
Of the Capital Traction Company. which
rammed the 9th street car Of the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company,
and the jury further suggested that the
District electric railway commission
look to the making and enforcing of
laws to prevent similar catastrophe
In the future. The verdict concerning
the avoiding Of future accidents says:
I'VE respectfully refer to the District
electric railway commission for its re-
medal action the necessity for regula-
tions to prevent the recurrence of such
an accident
Number of Cases.
AS there are numerous cases in the
Police Court now In which it is charged
that the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company does not enforce this par
ticular law, 1t is regarded as probable
this special case will not be brought up
except In evidence to show the danger
which the law is intended to reach.
$hA
time ago passed the law prohibiting the
riding on running boards" said Henry
L. West. chairman Of the commission.
last night. the commission had in view
that Friday night. which cost the life of
the young man and injuries to others.
There is no question: Mr.. West con-
tinued, that none would have been hurt
In this particular accident II the law had
been carried out l am frank in saying
that when the commission was carrying
on Its prosecutions against the railway
companies for infractions of the laws
through the district attorneys office
dilatory methods were used, and we
did not get decisions with as much dis
patch as we should have From now on
the prosecutions will be handled by the
corporation cOunsefs Office and we expect
results shortly
Eddy to Make Report.
H. c. Eddy. secretary of the District
electric railway commission. was present
at the inquest yesterday, and, although he
said he did not wish to make any state
ment at the time concerning the inquest,
he admitted that he intended to make a
report on the case to the commission.
AS the details Of the accident had not
been reported fully to the commission
yesterday, its members were not in po-
cS<, to-, toll
but Mr.. West and John H. Marble were
OF the opinion that the signals for the
right of way as now in use are adequate
and no change is expected along this line.
1t was pointed out that, no matter how
simple and explicit the laws may be, ac-
cidents are inevitable If they are dis
obeyed.
AS no criminal negligence was charged
by the coroner's jury. it is not thought
the matter will be taken up by the grand
jury or the United States attorneys Of
fee.
Il do not think that the United States
attorneys office Will take any action in
night.
"Of course, II any charges are filed, the
Office will Investigate. or If there are any
further developments which warrant
taken The verdict Of the jury at the
coroner's inquest does not make any
charges that necessitate prosecution"
Clarence r. Wilson, United States at
torney, is out Of the city.
Silent as to Plans.
No official Of the Capital Traction Com
pany or the Washington Railway and
Electric Company who could be reached
last evening would make any statement
concerning future plans Of their traffic
departments looking to the avoiding Of a
repetition of the accident.
The law prohibiting the riding on the
running board, as interpreted by the rail-
way commission, does not make any exe
ceptions for unusual conditions. The
commission rules that, even In congestiOns
such as those always found when the
American League base ball games are
over, passengers are not to be al
lowed to ride unless they find places
within the cars.
It is asserted by officials of the COM
panies that at times, especially after the
ball games, 1t is practically an impossi-
bility to keep men and boys from hang
ing onto the running boards.
Complaints received by the commission
however, charge that riding on the rum
ming boards Is done daily by hundreds of
persons, and that the number of cars is
Inadequate to handle the usual crowds
found at certain times each day.
1t so happens that the motormen on
each Of the cars participating in the ac-
cia