The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-04
ASK PULLMAN FOR
DATA ABOUT CARS
Interstate Commerce Commission
Takes Important Step
in Probe.
M'cHoRD GETS ACTIVE
Investigation Will Be Thorough,
Open to the Public and
Nothing Withheld.

Washington, D. c.. september 3.-The
railroad wreck near New Haven. Conn.
Yesterday, in which twenty -one persons
were killed and fifty or more injured,
according to Information obtained at
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to-day. is to have farther-reaching
effect than such disasters have had in
the past.
Steps have been taken by the COM
mission to ascertain to what extent the
Pullman Company. owner OF cars which
bear it's name. is responsible for such
wrecks in operating wooden equipment
instead of steel equipment over the
lines of railroads. In Massachusetts
the Mayor of Boston, John w. Fitz-
gerald, to-day brought that matter to
the attention of the Public Service Com
mission of that State. and he also took
II up with the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
In this connection it was said at the
Interstate Commerce Commission to-
day that the commission expects to
make public in day or two it's report
of the recent wreck at Tyrone. Pa, on
tho Pennsylvania Railroad. which will
show that the passengers were not Sc
riously hurt because the cars In the
wreck were Of steel. although the en-
gineer of one OF the trains was killed.
McChord to Investigate.
Interstate Commerce Commit ssioner
McChord to-day declared that he ex-
poets to go to New Haven to personally
direct the inquiry into yesterdays
wreck as soon as the commissions in
vestigators have completed their work.
I'VE will have a public hearing" Mr..
McChord said. "and every bit of infor
nation Will be given to the newspapers.
too"
I'VE cannot make the railroads act"
Commissioner AIcChord said. The
UewSDaDerS with their moral sta Sion
can. however. be OF the greatest help"
Mr.. McChord said that some roads
are now providing their lines with au-
tomato block devices. The Chicago
and Eastern Illinois. he said. now has
il5 miles equipped with safety device
that absolutely prevents one train from
getting TO another, under favorable
weather conditions 1t has been In ope-
ration seven months. and what It's effect
ir bad, changeable weather will be has
not yet been determined.
HcnrS Secrecy In Being Used.
Information reached Commissioner
McChord to-day that efforts are being
made by New Haven Railroad officials
to conduct the investigation OF yester-
days wreck in secret. He Immediately
telcsraphed TO Chief Inspector w. II.
Belknap. who Is on the scene for the
commi sSioner, as follows:
Have men at all meetings OF coro-
ner or railroad regarding wreck, to get
what Is said and done. Our reports
indicate secret Investigations are be-
ing held"
Mr. McChord yesterday wired to Mr..
Woodward, the general manager OF the
New Haven Railroad, directing that no
parts OF the wreck be burned or de-
stroyed, and he had Il reply from Mr..
Woodward, saying that his telegram
would be given attention The COM
mission ordered this because at the
time OF the last wreck on the New
Haven Railroad, at Stamford, in June,
parts OF the wrecked cars were burned
and destroyed before the commerce
commission inspectors had seen them.
Notwithstanding yesterdays request
by Mr.. McChord news dispatches to-
day report that the wrecked cars near
New Haven were burned last night.
Mr. McChord did Tot wish TO COM
L6,...at y