The Washington times., 1913-06-15
WILL PUT WRECK
UP TO DIRECTORS
Coroner's Questioning of New
Haven Official Indicates
Broadening of Probe.

broadening OF frODe.
| STANFORD, Conn.,. June 15.-CoroneI
| Phalen is making ready today to carry
on. not only to President Charles S.
Mellen, but to the directors of the New
| York, New Haven and Hartford rail.
/ road. his inquiry into the collision OF
| Thursday afternoon, when two sections
| of a Boston express were telescoped
| Just east of the station here and six
lives were lost.
The paramount question of the inquest
has become one of the first authority
| in matters of equipment.
Broad Question. &C..
| This question has been extended until
| 1t embraces not alone the fact that the
parlor car Skylark, to whose passcn-
gers the victims were confined, was old
| and built of wood; not alone to the fac;
that the New Haven still believes it is
| impossible automatically to compel obed-
| fence to signals, but to the probability
that the collision might have been
| averted IL the new locomotive which
drew the second section Of the express
had not been 'stiff."
General Superintendent Clayton N.
Woodward testified yesterday that the
first authority in matters of equipment
| rested with the president of the New
Haven system. He added that when
large expenditure was involved the
directors would have something to say.
When the inquest is resumed tomor-
| row afternoon at 2 o'clock the coroner
will go deeper into the question. TINS
he decided today. Developments then
will determine whether President Mel'en
will be called and when. They will de-
termine whether the directors Will De
called. The coroner has not made up
his mind. and while he will not forecast
his plans. he does not deny the signifi-
cance of the questions he put to Wood
ward.
Volunteer Witness.
Woodward was a volunteer witness.
He seized upon the opportunity that was
afforded for defending the New Haven
from recent attacks, upon it, and he
made a good defense, too-from the New
Haven's point of view. But those who
heard Woodward testify in the course
Of the Interstate Commerce Cominis-
sion,s inquiry into the Westport wreck
noted TODAY some radical changes OF
opinion.
Then the geenral superintendent
along with every other New Haven
official who testifed-protested that the
human element" was to be held cnieny'
IL not solely. responsible for such dis
asters, and that automatic devices
almost too good to come true. Today
he would not yield wholly upon the
question of the human element. but he
made II known for the first time that
the road was trying OUT two auto
matte train-check systems. 49, - 4.
The day did not pass, however, with
out renewed indications that the New
Haven still chafes under efforts to get
at its records, for to find out its way
OF doing things. Coroner Phalen had
book kept at the Stamford round house
had been found to contain the record
Brakes no good: won't hold" which
Engineer c. ]. Dougherty swears he
entered last Tuesday regarding the en-
gine which telescoped the Skylark two
days later.
Book Is Ready.
THE complaint book will be ready
for submission to you whenever you
are ready for it." replied BENJAMIN
Spock Of the New Haven's counsel.
1--WE could hardly get 1t here before
noon, but II will be brought, and
with II the man who is in charge of
it."
From the fact that the round house
where the book belonged. was not
ten minutes away from the court
house. this statement was taken as
meaning that the book had been sent
observation-disclosures officials would
not discuss the matter with anybody.
They would not discuss with the cor
question it was at first entirely
ignored.
Have you seen the book?" the cor
oner asked of Spock.
ted.
Does 1t contain this entry?"
"Tnat is a question I feel I can't
answer at this time" was the reply.
THE book will be laid before you
when you call for it."
Then, as a look of surprise came
across Phalen's face. Spock added:
II may say this: Opposite the head
ing Air there is no entry.
Last Entry.
This equivocal answer gave rise to
a report that the railroad would be
able to show that Dougherty had not
made the entry regarding the brakes
OF the locomotive. A reporter told the
engineer of this report. He turned to
his brother-in-law. John II. Dillon. of
New Haven, who has been his constant
companion and adviser since the wreck,
and asked:
where did say ! made that entry?
Didn't ] say it was the last thing on
the page? Yes. and that's where IT was.
under the heading Other Work.
And ] want to say" cried Dillon
with sudden heat. that II that book is
brought into court with no such entry
in Il, II will be because the page has
been taken out or there has been on
erasure. for. by God. that entry was
made."
lAI;ea 4 oA,s