Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-24
USE "A|R Brakes
On ] estimony 10 Ascertain
Duties Of Officials.
Hearing on Stamford, CT, Wreck
Develops Lille Sensation.
Two-Year Rule for Engineers Sub
lect Of the Controversy.

bridgeport, CT, June 23.-Attorney
!. +. Ferry Of the New York, New
iiaNen q Hartford Railroad, today,
put thc air brakes on Coroner Phe-
lan's inquest in the recent Stamford
wreck as the latter expressed When an
Effort was made Ga ascertain the exact
duties, powers and responsibility of va
rieGs hish officials of the road. c. y.
woodward, general superintendent Ct
The road. was on the stand at the time
and he declined. upon constitutional
grounds, to answer questions as To his
duties, pleading that he was already
nner Indictment on a granddaughter
charge as the result of the Westport
wreck.
Attorney Berry also temporarily OBJ
.iected' to other officials giving similar
tt testimony. The coroner said he had
hoped 10 make the inquiry as broad as
possible. in order TO determine just
VITO was responsible for the accident.
but as the road had put the air brakes
on. h. would have to adjourn until
next Friday afternoon.
Tic coroner examined General Man
asef G. l.. Bardo, General Superin-
Il ndent G. y. Woodward. ]. A. Droege.
superintendent OF the Shore Line di-
vision. an Charles II. joy, general air
brake inspector. IN an endeaNor to find
aGf their exact duties and who they
woe responsible 10. 1t was developed
from tho testimony that for some of
the High officials of the road, there
are no specific rules laid down, but of
fCials perform their duties according
20 general practice" Mr.. Fardo, for in
stance, said he did not know of any
thing he could not do, under the tern
of General manager" The coroner
aske him how he knew whether or not
he was intrudng in some one else's
territory and Mr.. Eardo replied: We'll.
if | did ] would very soon hear Of it
Mr.. Bardo gave interesting testi-
mony as to the agreement between the
road and the engineers. He declared
that the road was not satisfied witt
the long standing rule placing no limis
tation upon an engineers experiece be-
fore he was assigned to fast trains
A two-year rule was put into effect
but the engineers union objected, with
the result that compromise was af,
fected, requiring one years experience,
Coroner Phelan asked:
IJlQ you tHiflk that tHtS NdS i'i III
protection of the public? What mad
you compromises
MIR. Bardo said that at the time thu
rule was put into effect he did not
care to disturb the peace of mind OF
engineers and he was satisfied TO gan
the slight concession that he had. IL
was a step in the right direction. The
company is not satisfied with the one
year rule now. When the Coroner
asked him if the road was going &c
change it, Mr.. Bardo said: Il thlnh
So"
The two-year rule would be of the
greatest benefit to young engineers
Mr. Bardo said, for it would give
them more experience. Engineer
Doherty of the colliding engine in the
wreck was considered u good engineer
said Mr. Bardo, but he displayed pad
judgment at crucial point. More en-
lperience would have prevented the col
lision.
When asked whether or not an auso-
matte train stop would have prevented
/ the wreck. Mr.. Bardo said mo.
| He said he would rather take
chances with the human eiefneh.
rather than any mechanical contrlV-
anee vet devised
| II was announced that the report OF
the railroad experts on the runs maas
by the test train, last week, woale
probably be issued Wednesday