New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-05
ELLIOTT ADMITS ROADS
SIGNAL SYSTEM IS.POOR
Banjo" Type Not Modern and
Will Be Replaced, Says New
Haven President.
STEEL CAR ORDER DELAY
May Take Years to Replace
Wooden Vehicles-"1 Don't
Know" Company's Head
Replies to Questions.

| [Frem a STAFF Correspondent OF The Tribune
New Haven. Sept. 4-Howard Elliott
president Of the New Haven Railroad. to-
night admitted that the banjo signal
| system. such as is in use on the stretch
| OF road where Tuesdays accident oc-
Cured, was not the best in the world.
| 1T vas the best signal system invented
up to the time Of its installation he
said but better system has been de-
vised since, and this will be installed as
quickly as possible"
He added that the New Haven event
ually would supplsnt its present equip
ment Of wooden Pullman cars and pas
senger coaches with all-steel cars.
"When?" he was asked.
Well" he replied, I'VE have on order
now 2ll steel cars for passenger trains
which have not been delivered. and within
the next two weeks. when we can agree
on specifications. we will place an order
for fifty more.
"As to Just when the entire system will
consist Of steel cars I can best answer
that by calling attention to the annual
report OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission for 1911, which states that IT would
take the railroads of the country at least
ten years 10 rel lace wooden cars Wits
steel ones.
1T is a slow process to get these steel
cars. II takes a lon; time to get them
Some OF the contracts we have with the
builders and not yet filled have been with
them since February. 1872
Has the New Haven in its contract
with the Pullman Palace Car Company
made any stipulation that the present
wooden Pullmans must be replaced with
steel cars?"
Yes. Here is the way that part OF the
contract reads: 1T IL expressly under
stood that the parlor and sleeping cars,
observation cars. buffet smoking cars,
combination baggage and parlor smoking
cars now on the lines of the railroad COM
pany are to be replaced by the Pullman
Palace Car Company AS soon az II IS prac-
ticable by steel cars Of the latest and most
approved types. OF such kinds AMI styles
as the railroad company shall desire for
operation upon its lines
do you think II Is safe 10 run wooden
cars where traffic is so conScsted, as on
your lne?'
Il think il would be better TO have
good. strong cars
rs II true that the old wooden New
Haven sleeping coaches arc being re-
PAINTED so they will resemble new Pull
man cars?'
II don't know
The same reply was made 10 many
other questions. and Mr.. Elliott reminded
his visitors that he has been connected
with the New Haven road only since
| Tuesday morning.
lie said he didn't know how fast the
White Mountain Express was running
when il crashed into the Bar Haroor and
added:
we want 10 give the fullest informa-
ton possible TO the public authorities and
no efforts have been made TO hide me
| facts or TO garble them These IN
structions have given to Vice-President
Hustis. and he has passed the word 10
the heads Of the various departments and
they in turn TO all employees OF the road.
He was again asked If he would give
| 10 the PUBIC copy VI Niie - ~ -
the Coroner's star chamber investigation
Of the wreck and he replied that he could
not do so with propriety.
DO YOU think IL fair that the railroad
| should have all the facts contained in
those minutes at its disposal. while the
employes of the company under arrest
have not the same advantage"
That can't answer but We want N
give our employees as much as their best
friends do. No facts that l know of have
as yet been discovered TO warrant con-
demninc or blaming any one
! Mr. Elliott was asked if he would he
witness al the federal investigation.
II expect to see Commissioner McChord
tonight. If he arrives in New Haven.
Unless am asked TO remain, | will leave
here tomorrow morning TO attend the
weekly meeting OF the executive com
mittee of the board Of directors OF the
road which will be held in New York
| "Wul Mr.. Mellen. your predecessor. be
present.
He is not a director. He will not he
present"
.'But isn't he an adviser of the road?'
Not so far as know"
But isn't he getting $1,000 year,
! II don't know
| Mr. Elliott was asked in regard 10 re-
port that Arthur T. Hadley, president
Of Yale, would be elected a director to
succeed Mr.. Mellen.
Il don't know" he said.
| nrnIInN