New-York tribune., 1913-06-18
Brake System CoIIapses.

| After this the train was sent over
/ the track for three more trials under
varying test conditions. At the last
/ trial rod in the braking mechanism
suddenly gave way, completely dis
abling the Item. and tho engine was
hurriedIy sent TO the round house for
a thorough inspection and diagnosis Of
! The trouble.
I'VE started out with an air brake
system" one Of the engineers in charge
Of the trials said ruefully, "and We are
winding up with none az all
Although the failure OF the brakes TO
. bring the train to o. standstill before It
reached the point where the Skylark
theoretically stood was not admitted
! bv the New Haven officials 10 lift the
responsibility entirely from Doherty's $
! shoulders. one Of the highest officers OF
the road did admit that the test indi-
| Gated conclusively that the engineers OF
the line would have 10 be instructed all
over again in the use OF the braking
system Of the new 100 type Of en-
gines.
\ more drastic comment on the re-
! suit Of the tests was made by one Of
the engineers Of the Interstate Com
mcrce Commission. under whose direc-
tion the trials ..tre made.
1T looks Ike a boy was set TO do
mans work" he said. referring 70
| Doherty's handling Of the train. 1T
simply shows that an engineer should
not be placed in charge Of passenger
trains until after he has had from
three to five years experience on
| freight trains. instead Of one year as
IS the present practice Of the New Ha-
ven road. II also should be mentioned
that the brakes Of the engine worked
very stifiy.'
The trials to-day really started al
| New Haven, where the wreck special
was made up. 1t was announced by
the railroad that engine 1898 had been
repaired only sufficiently to permit it
being used under its own steam. Moth
ing at all, IL was said, was done TO the
air brake equipment as that apparently
was not affected by the smash-up.
The last car Of the train was htted
ND with a speed indicator and re-
corder and special pressure gauge
on the air system, so that tabs could
| no kept constantly on the movement OF
the train and the action of the air
| system.
E.perts on Board.
p J. Langdon. Of the Delaware.
Lackawanna & Western Railroad; g
w Martin. OF the Pennsylvania; I. l..
purton Of the Westinghouse Air Brake
! Company. and Charles \. JOY. OF the
Now Haven, constituted a board Of eX-
pcrts to observe the working oil the
brakes. while the operation of the en-
CINE was under the direction OF ii. w.
Relknap. chief inspector of the Inter
etate Commerce Commission, and his
| aseistant +. A. Howard. Chief En-
oinecr EIwell Of the Public Utilities
commission Of Connecticut, was also
~, the train TO make observations.
Neither Doherty nor his brother-in-law,
Iohn II. Dillon, was present.
Word came from New Haven to-
rtgbt that Dillon explained his reason
,or not accepting the invitation OF the
ouroad 10 ride on the engine to-day
- ,hat he could not learn who we're
% he present. and therefore refused.
Iod he received assurances that repre-
ntatves Of the Public Utilities Com
.st.sior and Of the Interstate Com
80 Commission were to be present
w. would have accepted, he said.
The train left New Haven at ll;2o
oocbed Bridgeport at 1l:5l. where
anu phe,an. who is conducting the
c.,,nu.d IN third page. sixth column