The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-06-17
New Hayen's S President Will
Face PrOberS.
EXPERTS TO EXAMINE ENGINE.
Search 10 Being Made For Work Book
In Which Dougherty Claims to
Have Entered Report That
Brakes Were "No Good"

Stamford, Conn, June 16.-Coroner
John J. Phelan and Prosecutor Carter,
investigating the rear end collision be-
tween the two sections Of the New
York Boston express Of the New York,
New Haven and Hartford railroad on
Thursday, are analyzing the testimony
already given at the inquest by Charles
]. Dougherty, the engine driver, whose
locomotive crushed six to death and
injured a score of others, as well as
the testimony of other witnesses
They are preparing for the expect
ed examination today of Charles S.
Mellen, president of the road, and OF
y. o. Sauer. assistant superintendent
of the Pullman company in New York
city Mr. Mellen is to come here to at
tend a hearing of the state public ntili
ties commission. and one of his counsel
said that the railroad president would
be a voluntary witness before the coro
ner.
Work Book Taken Away.
The paramount question is where
rests the responsibility for the equip
b1Chl VI llG lOtlbs SOlOlACl hNAtAAA " a.
go deep into the question of the rea-
sons for using an old wooden parlor
car, the alleged stiffness of the revers-
ing lever and the air brakes of Dough
erty's locomotive and the belief eX-
pressed by one New Haven official that
1t is impossible automatically to COM
pei obedience to signals.
tn, vx-hioh uhottv
testified he entered a complaint that
the air brakes of his locomotive were
"no good" is reported to have been
taken from the roundhouse, about ten
minutes ride from the courthouse, to
the company's offices at New Haven
Coroner Phelan will probably make
formal demand for its production.
'The complaint book will be ready
for submission to you whenever you
are ready for It," Benjamin Spock Of
the New Haven's counsel told the cor
oner. sWe could hardly get it here for
some time, but it will be brought, and
with it the man who has charge Of it."
Engine Drivers Competent.
When Clayton NJ. Woodward, general
superintendent of the road, was being
examined the coroner asked:
Have you any engine drivers who
are not fully competent and eficient2"
1--WE believe there are none," replied
Mr. Woodward, "and along that very
line we have been giving careful at
tention TO our men, holding personal
interviews with conductors as well as
engine drivers.
Safety is our first consideration. and
we have impressed on all engine driv-
ers that they should not attempt to
make up time unless they can do 1t
safely. We prefer that they be late
rather than take chances. Great at.
tention has been paid to the drivers in
the last few months"
Mr. Woodward went on to describe
the efforts made by the road recently
to make the men better observe the
rules. He said the road was constant
ly experimenting with new devices tc
make travel safer, to which Coroner
Phelan replied:
81 wish to goodness the public would
cease to travel on this line until The
experiments you tell me you are carry
Ing on prove successful, don't your
John Harmon, the engine drivel
whose place was taken by Dougherty
when Harmon was "laid Off for run
ming by a signal in the locomotive
which figured in the wreck, said thu
running levers were stiff. He said h,
did not have great trouble with them
because he is heavy-250 pounds.
At the request of Mr.. Mellen a bod!
of air brake experts are to be asked Il
examine the braking apparatus o
Dougherty's locomotive.