New Britain herald., 1917-02-01
ATTORNEY ATTACKS
 AM. HARDWARE CORP
Insinuates Greed As Motive for
 Opposing Klett's Bill

assistant secretary of the American Hardware corporation,' is so greedy for war profits for his concern that he does not want the bill passed, At torney Kendall M. Pierce appeared before the legislative judiciary con- mittee yesterday to champion Sena- tor George W. Klett's bill providing that people held up for more than five minutes. at railroad crossings may collect a penalty of $25 from the railroad company. The young Bristol attorney likewise took verbal lshot at Charles D. Moore, an engineer, in timating that he had been intimidated by the New Haven road. Both MT. Russell and MT. Moore had appeared to oppose the passage of the bill, to the disgust of Lawyer Pierce.
 Am. Hdw. Corp. Opposes Bill.
 MT. Russell explained his objections to the bill. He said that the Ameri- can. Hardware corporation opposes its passage because it would hinder the immediate and proper transmits 'ion of freight of the corporation. He denied that any of the railroad off, cials had requested him to appear It was here that Lawyer Pierce lifted his voice in protest. He declared that the objections of Mr. Russell and the Hardware corporation are improper and the committee ought not listen to the arguments of manufacturers greedy for profits from the manu- fracture of war materials. MT. Russell remained calm and undisturbed dur ing the t1rade against him. Not so with Engineer Moore.
 MT. Moore represented the Brother hood of Railroad Engineers. He is actively engaged in the service and runs the train leaving New Haven at 8:08 P. M. He declared that the pas- sage of such a bill would impose a hardship on engineers and make them subject to many reprimands from super1ors and might possibly affect wages. At Mcriden, Engineer Moore said, the railroad crossing is such that 1t is oftimes impossible to prevent blocking traffic. Referring to Mr. Moore's opposition, MT. Pierece said the committe should pay no heed to arguments of engineers forced by the railroad to appear
 Chairman F. M. Peasely advised MT. Pierce to be more cautious re- his characterization of wit nesses. MT. Moore leaped to his feet and towering over the Bristol lawyer denied that he had been sent to the hearing by the railroad and main- talned that his organization is inde- pendent. MT. Peasely advised him that there was no necessity for him to apologize for his presence.
 Hungerford Favors Bill.
 States Attorney Hugh M. Alcorn favored the bill and Judge Frederick B. Hungerford of this city did too. The local lawyer took occasion to some of the clever tricks of railroad lawyers in lodging the law Lawyer Pierce added his voice in favor of the bill, saying that while motoring he is oftimes held up at railroad crossings and he is much displeased with the attitude of railroad employees in blocking crossings. He thought that any man hindered five minutes is en- titled to collect s25 in a civil suit
 Richard J. Kinsella of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce thought con- ditions might be bettered should the length of freight trains be shortened
 Railroads Voice Opposition.
 Representing the New Haven road and the Central New England rail- road, Attorney w. L. Barnett op- posed the bill, explaining that at present there is so much freight traf- fic on the tracks that it is impos- sible, in congested districts, to avoid blocking crossings occasionally. As it is he said, employees are instructed to avoid blocking the highways as much as possible. Should the bill be- come a law, MT. Barnett said it will mean that the road will be swamped with a carload of law suits. A pa rade of 5000 people might be stopped and each one in it might sue He did not think such law would be con- Stitutional.
 The roads chief engineer, John A. Droege. admitted that due to the present congested freight conditions it is oftimes necessary to violate the crossing laws and he declared that if these violations did not take place it might mean the prostration of New England's manufacturing interests. MT. Droege rallied to the defense of his engineers and said that though one may laugh at a crowd that is be- ing held up. or he may even do few handsprings, yet it is no sign of discourtesy. The engineer has little to do with blocking traffic; he has to act under his orders. MT. Droege explained that the railroad has just let contract for sixty-f1ve large freight engines, to cost about $3,- 000,D00, in an earnest effort to re- ieve freight congestion.
 Another fault with the bill, MT. Droege explained. is that it might tend to creat mild form of black mail. Some people who know what crossings are liable to be blocked by freight trains might make 1t a point to be at those crossings with witnesses early in the morning, be held up, and thpp