The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-10
U. s. RepOrt Fixes Responsibility For
 Stamford Wreck
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 that there was no suspicion that he was not in all respects capable. when this engineman was assigned to this high class train. This. conclusion was in no respect justified by the facts.
 ''Even though Doherty's work in ether grades of service was satisfac- tory the absence of any supervision or tests for a work in which his fail ure was so complete and disastrous cannot be evaded by the officials Of this railroad The safety of the pub. lie requires that these officials shall take all reasonable precautions. by test and supervision. to know that such men have the positive qualified tions Of good judgment and knowledge of their duty.
 'tOther railroads have rules provid- ing safeguards in this respect, as was shown by the testimony of the rail road experts.
 The general manager said that the judgment of the engineman was bad, unjustidably bad;' and after describ- ing his version of Doherty's handling of this train, he said: I cannot con ceive of any man in his right mind doing a thing of that kind.' He then stated in general terms his belief that the trouble arose from the employees organizations and the attitude of the public, and said that it is true of the New England railroads today; they nave u0L AIluC1f 4C4L 00I lAAC4As= WI poratc identity
 ..No organization but that of the N r., N. H. & 1T. R. R- Company Is responsible for placing a man in charge of this locomotive without tests or supervision by travelling engineers of his qualifications and judgmbent for this special work. The determination Of the ability, fitness, or qualifications Of ar engfneman is the duty of the railroad itself. It was not relegat- ed to any other organization, nor could 1t be so reIegated. It was neither elected. It was unwarrantab1y as- stunned that a man at the head of the list Of spare enginemen was qualthed. without any special consideration or the character of the service in which he could experience. Something IS ont of gear on a railroad where high class trains may be given over to an uuinstructed engineman. And tnls IS +r,.e even if he is sent out on a. run with the caution of his superior, oon' let it get away from you.
 ssThe responsibility for haVlng q competent man with positive quallh- cations at a. post of duty is a corpor- ate responsibility. The fault for plac- ing an untested man in a. position fra1lzlat with danger to life is the raull of the company and its officials. Man failure' can only excuse the ralIroao and it's OFFICIALS W1ASAS7 lAAC AA-es4A been properly tested and found to pos sess the positive qualifications re- oIired No automatic work of names from a list of men who may or may not have the requisite qualifications can excuse from the duty of making reasonable effort to ascertain that the man selected is qualified
 There is no evidence which raises any doubt that for the work he had previously been engaged upon Doherty was competent, reliable, and trust worthy. His reputation and record was good./ But when he was placed in charge of a new engine attached to one of the fast passenger trains some one in authority signally failed in duty in intrusting such an engine and train to his charge without any test of his capacity for this grave responsibilitx.
 ssIt seems hard to realize that no practical tests were applied to such a situation on this railroad, and that there was no supervision by travelling engineers over an engineman called upon for the first time to take up a class of work calling for the highest qualifications.
 This investigation discIoses that there was no rule upon this subject.
 'It IS but fair, however, to say of the present general manager that his connection with this railroad is recent and that his efforts in the promotion of safety during the short time he