Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-03
INVESTIGATORS AT SCENE
OF NEW HAVEN DISASTER
Pullman Company Quizzed Regard.
ing Its Operation Of
Wooden Cars.


sion to ascertain to what extent the
Pullman company, owner of cars which
bear its 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, today brought that matter to
the attention of the public service
took it UP with the Interstate COM
merce commission.
In this connection it was said at the
interstate commerce commission today
that the commission expects to make pub
Tic IN 4 gay or two It's report OF the re-
cent wreck at Tyrone, Pa, on the Penn
syiVania railroad, which will show that
because the cars IN the wreck were OF
steel, although the engineer Of one OF the
trains was Killed.
Interstate Commerce Commissioner Nc
Chord today declared that ne expects 10
go to New Haven to personally direct
the inquiry into yesterdays wreck as
soon as the cDmmiSSl0nS Investigators
nave completed their work.
I'VE wal nave public hearing" Mr..
McChord said, and every bit OI tnfoF-
nation viii be given to the newspapers
too
Refers to Commissions Report.
Mr.. McChord was asked IL he had
read an editorial in yesterdays Star
entitled More Rear-end Manslaughter,
and he said that he had. AS to state
ment in 1t that the interstate COM
merce commission has not acted def
nitely. though at times closely approach
ing the point of positive recommends
ton" that railroads shall equip their
lines with safety appliance devices that
will prevent such collisions as that
near New Haven yesterday, he referred
inquirers to the latest report of the
commission.
That report, which includes the re-
port of HI. w. Belknap, chief inspector Of
safety appliances. does not go into the
question Of automatic block signaling
1t says:
''In many instances our inspectors have
found that the only test made Of the effi-
cheney of the train brakes Is one intended
to show that the air Is working through
out the train line. Under such a system
Of inspection the train crew has no means
of knowing the actual condition OF the
air brakes.
Such practices cannot be too severely
condemned, as the several trains on any
railroad are not independent In point OF
movement and safety, but are interde-
pendent, and whatever brings delay or
disaster to one train, or results In dis
abiing one Of its operatives. impedes the
| trains.
"Our inspectors have frequently made
terminal tests which disclosed the fact
that the proportion of operative air
terminals was less than the percentage
required by law, Had these trains, In
fact, left their terminals In that condi-
ton, our inspectors. in the performance
of their duty, would have been compelled
to file evidence Of such violations Of the
law for prosecution. However, the train
crews being present at tina time such
Inspections were made, and realizing the
imminent danger to themselves and to
opposing trains. the matter was prompt
ly reported to the officials In charge, by
whom the necessary repairs were
ordered"
Comment Of the Commissioners.
Making public this report Of Mr.. Belk-
maps, the commission had the following
to say:
During this fiscal year lit cases, in
volving 400 violations Of the safety -appli-
ance act, were transmitted to the several
United States attorneys for prosecution.
The railroads confessed judgment during
the year az to 33S violations, prosecutions
OOAA6 OAosAAAOOS0 I'D W 80 SOuukS O0Illt8
the same period % cases. involving IA
violations. were tried before the courts.
OF which III counts we're decided In ia
vor Of the government and s In favor Of
defendant. decision being reserved as to
the remaining Is counts. Penalties ag-
gregating $4,000. In addition to costs,
were collected a. and i paid into the treasury
sued pursuant to the provisions Of the
act OF April IA 1910. the commission pre-
scribed the standards to be observed by
the carriers In the matter OF certain
years from july /, ie1i, being granted.
as to some Of the appliances, In which
the railroads should render their equip
ment comfortable to the standards speci-
fed. Up to the present time, however,
but small percentage Of the total NUM-
Der OF cars, to which the order is ap-
plicable, have been equipped. and unless
this work IL expedited 1t cannot be COM
pleted within the time allowed by the
commissions order."
Commissioner McChord said. THE news
papers. with their moral suasion. can,
however. be Of the greatest help"
Mr.. McCh0rd said that some roads are
block devices. The Chicago and Eastern
Illinois, he said, now has lis miles equip
ped with q safety device that absolutely
prevents one train from getting to an
L OSuSE, uHQSI 1AVOTHOi0 W6AInSf CO00l~
tons. It has been in operation seven
months. and what its effect In bad.
changeable weather will be has not yet
been determined.
Hears Secrecy Z Being Used.
Information reached Commissioners
McChord today that efforts are bein1
made by New Haven railroad officials
to conduct tho investigation Of yester-
days wreck In secret He Immediately
telegraphed to Chief Inspector w. H.
Bellknap. who 10 on the scene for the
commissioners, al follows:
| Have men at all meetings OF coroner
or railroad regarding wreck. to get
what IL said and done. Our reports In
dictate secret Investigations are being
| 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 q reply from Mr..
Woodward, saying that his telegram
would be given attention. The commits
sion ordered this because at the time OF
the last wreck on the New Haven rail
road. ct Stamford, In Juna. parts Of the
wrecked cars were burned and DESTROYED
spectors had seen them.
Notwithsfanding yesterday's request by
Mr.. McChord nevs dispatches today ~
port that the wrecked cars near New
/ Haven were burned last niUht.
/ Mr.. McChord did not wish to COM
ment upon this today. heyond sayins
that the tnOpeCtor0 may have rotten to