Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-25
Signals in Good Order

Signals in Good Order
Other evidence adduced today was
that the signals on the stretch Of track
involved in the disaster were in good
working condition before and after the
accident Howeve:, Il was testified that
there have been complaints of the
failure Of the signal system to work
properly. these averaging about one
a week. In most of these cases the
signal was set ut Danger" In five or
six instances 1t was testified since the
installation Of the system. signals have
shown what is xat wn as false clear"
Tho witnesses
Engineers. signal men. trainmen and
other employees of the company were
among the witnesses. Most Of their
testimony related to the operation Of
the signal system and the interpreta-
ton OF the rules governing engineers
John W. Heath, section foreman at
Woodmont. and probably the last man
to see Engineer Curtis and his fireman
alive, testified that the signal at the
Woodmont tower. which was the last
before the collision. was set at "Cau-
ton" against Curtis train. The extra
passed it at between IS and SO miles
an hour, he asserted. He was about
100 feet from the signal. he said, and
could see no slackering Of speed.
II saw three men in the engine cab"
he said, and gave them the glad
shake (waving the handy as they went
by. did not recognize any Of them,
but this waving IS customary whether
We know them or not One man was
occupying the engineers seat. On the
other sire OF the cab were two men. one
sitting in the hreman's seat and the
other standing beside him."
Common Practice
The air. Heath said. was clear and
there was nothing to obstruct a view
Of the signal Soon after the train
passed him he heard one long Shrek
Of an engine which was followed by
three short ones and then the crash
During a pause In the questioning. the
witness declared This matter Of trains
running by yellow boards caution sig
nals) at a high rate Of speed is COM
mon occurrence" Then. he added. the
engineers have q mile or more to get
ready for the next signal. The wreck
cd trains passed the signal near which
he stood about three minutes apart. He
added: Trains frequently 90 that way.
two went that way today"
Saw the Collision
George s. Clark OF Milford. who saw
the collision from a nearby field. testi-
ned to seeing the express come to a
sudden stop and the extra train Shrek
ing around a sharp curve. 1t did NOT
appear to slow down. he said. An in
slant later the crash came.
w. NJ speuiding, engineer Of the
freight involved in the wreck, said that
he noticed Is he went by the distant
signal on the passenger tracks that 1t
raS set against the extra.
At this point. c. c. Elwell Of the
State Public Utilities Commission, put
the witness q hypothetical question.
Taking into consideration all the con-
ditions on the day OF the wreck what
would you have done had you been en-
g1neer Of train hve?'
i would have shut OF power at the
distant signal" was the reply.
Examine Broken Hoss
Much attention was given by the in
vestigatoFs to . short length Of air
hose. the bursting Of which stopped the
express and paved the way for the
wreck. At one end Of the hose there
wss jagged hole and the iron nipple
showed evidence Of havine> been scrap
Cd. J. Il. 0heehan. general car inspect
or Of the company one Of the witnesses.
wss unable to say how 1t could have
happened.
Interpretation Of tho rule requiring sn.
ginsers 70 prepare at . distant signal
whsn Get aSainst them. to stop At the
home slgnai. was sought Of many Of the
witness. All agreed that whether the en-
sine>r should shut Of power at once or
slow down was . matter d Judgment. de-
pendent on conditions At the time, iD-
cluding the spsed Of the train, IT, make
up, weather conditions and the distance
to the homo signal.
centiNvs Teddy
The hearing lasted until late in the day
and viii b continued tomorrow. when It
ID expected some Of the officials Of the
company may b asked to testify. H. ".
BSlaap. CHIEF Of the division Of safety Of
tho Interstate Commerce Commission.
who did most Of tho questioning Of wit
nesses, said after adjournment that It
was ehe tAtantien to make complete in
vestigation a Ill phases Of the wreck.
Asked II they intended - inquire into
the matter Of train dispatehing. Mr.. Bel
NAP replied lhat he had not q word to
say hsysnd the fact that complete In
vsstigasisp ves,d - made. The eeacsu.