Norwich bulletin., 1916-10-20

and electrical 1lpOSSlb1llty, to secure an unlock of the distant signal by Kick" of the gravity DoX in a tower, Attorney Fitzgerald counsel for the de- fense, contended that this trick had been done, presumably at Bradford tower and could be done again. Thurs day morning, MT. Fitzgerald went to the Bradford tower, kicked the gravity box and secured an unlock, not once, but twice. He made the operation in the presence of the towerman and an expert signal maintainer, who is in the testimony was the sensational hit of employ of the railroad company. This the trial.
 Locomotive Engineer Ryard, who was under cross examEnation by At torney General Phillips when court ad Iourned on Wednesday, was recalled to the stand when court opened Thursday morning. In response to queries by Mir Phillips, MT. RyarG said on one occasion his engine had slipped or skidded with the brakes on, without dattering the wheels. He examined the wheels at the first opportunity all though he could tell by riding the en- zine. He saw a, bright spot, but not roughed up. If one wheel slides all wheels slide, and any rough spot could be detected At that kime the ser vice brake was used but no sand. He could not tell whether the wheels on NIL -NlSIIiSIISINt ; SIlS1 "SlS lllS oelIl1C as on his. but MT. Mansffeld's engine was the heaviest. The train of wit ness was a heavy freight.
 Howard Diedrick, was recalled and testified that at request of MT. Fitz- gerald, he went to the .ower at Wood River and Bradford and examined the gravity boxes and they were the same as in use in the. Hartford division where he is employed as maintainer. They are the same at Bradford and there is no difference in their efficiency whether on horizontal or vertical ma chimes. Mir Diedriek explained the mechanical construction of the inter- for of the gravity box, which is bolted rigdly to the machine.
 Did you ever see a gravity box, as attached at Wood River and Bradford kicked so as to receive an unlock and relieve the leverS?'
 Yes"
 "When ?'
 At Bradford this morning."
 Who did it?"
 You" (Mr. Fitzgerald).
 "Who was there ?'
 INT. Fitzgerald and the towerman."
 By MT. PhiIips-He understood that the company had granted him the privilege to enter the tower alone. He did not give Mr Fitzgerald the right to go into the tower. MT. Fitzgerald asked the tOwerman to give him the permission. He is an officer of the signal mems union, but was not affil- lated with any of the railroad brother hoods. He looked ct the gravity box es, but did nothing-else- ~there----~ He gave no one permission to do anything there and had nothing ro do with what was done there.
 Mir. Fitzgerald asked the operator at Wood River for permission to kick the gravity box, but was not permitted. When at the Bradford tower Mr. Fitz- gerald kicked the gravity box without permission of the towerman. Witness did nothing to the gravity box that would permit MT. Fitzgerald to work it with a kick. Witness did his ex- animation, with the full Knowledge of the toWerman, whom he asked to over see what he was doing, as he wanted the company to know just what he did in the tower. The gravity box was locked and the cover was on, when Mr. Fitzgerald kicked the box. The box was securely boIted, He did not know what MT. Fitzgerald was going to do.
 So far as he could see, by exanni- nation, the gravity box at Bradford was in proper working order, before it was kicked, said MT. Dietrick, in re- sponse to a query from MT. Fitzger- aid.
 When the lever was pulled and the box kicked, MT. Fitzgerald was away from the buttons on the floor. At Wood River MT. Fitzgerald asked for permission to kick the gravity box, but was not allowed.
 By MT. PhiIIips-It was not part of the job for a towernan to know the mechanical construction of the gravity box. The second examination was made at the request of the tower man. He did nothing to interfere with the proper working of the gray ity box. He did not suppose that his visit to the towers would result in the action that was taken by MT. Fitzgerald. He saw MT. Fitzgerald get down on the floor to examine the security of the bolts that held the gravity box, and they were all se- cure.
 Mir. Diedrick said he had been a signal maintainer for ten years, and with New Haven road three years, and was familiar with the style of gravity boxes in use. and he told of their operation, which was worked by electricity and gravity.
 James shaughnessy, of New Haven, for twelve years a locomotive engi- nine years in the passenger service and had operated the best and fastest trains of the system. His last trip from Boston and New Haven was two days ago, and in May of this year he was on the run between New Haven and Boston. The distant sig nal governs the indication of the other signals in the block. If at yellow re- duce speed and proceed with caution to the other signals. In clear weather, with distant signal at caution, a train is kept in position ready to stop. If distant signal is at clear, it means for the train to proceed. He had no instructions in regard to foggy wea- ther unless he got special orders No. 19, which reports fog in specified places and not make up time. Other wise when distant signal is at clear the train proceeds.
 By MT. PhiIIips-AII Signals are ob- served, and after passing the distant at clear, it would be very difficult to stop at home. There is a rule that says not to pass a home signal at red. unless by signal from the tower man. If trains were to stop to ob- serve the home signals there would be no schedule time. If distant signal is at clear, train is allowed to proceed at speed. as the distant is for the pur-