The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-03
B. R. ADMITS LACK
OF SAFETY DEVICES.
Roads Officials Quizzed on
Blame for Brighton Line
Tunnel Disaster.
MAYOR ENDS HIS INQUIRY
First Guard Set Free, but
MOtorman Is HEIDI WOm-
en- in Black in Court.

The John Doe Investigation to fix
responsibility for the death OF almost
a hundred persons in the B. r. T..
train wreck November l. closed yes
terday afternoon. With the remark
able testimony before him of Timothy
8. Williams, president of the Il. r. T.,
and W. S. Menden. the company's
chief engineer, Mayor Hylan an
nounced the termination OF the inquiry
and reserved his decision until week
from to-day.
az discharge Samuel Rusof," said
tho Mayor. Rusof was the guard on
the first car of the wrecked train. He
refused to discharge Anthony Lewis. or
Luciano, who was motorman of the
train. Six women CARRIED in deep
mourning, were intent listeners.
District Attorney Lewis delivered
what no considered one Of his most
damaging blows earlier in the after
noon. From both Mr.. Williams and
Mr. Menden he ELECTED the informa-
ton that although both were fully
familiar with automatic speed control
devices for the protection of human
life, none had been placed in operation
on any b. r. T. line except the
Williamsburg Bridge line.
Conversant with Safety Devices.
Both men admitted that they knew
such devices were used in Manhattan
by the marlborough and throughout
the United States. and Mr.. Williams
said that he had discussed them very
fully" five years ago with company Of
flcials
Mr.. Menden said that the safety de-
vice system now in operation on the
Williamsburg Bridge was "practica-
BILE" on the Brighton line, on which the
disaster occurred.
Mr.. Williams, soft spoken and mild
hammered. admitted earlier in the day
that as administrative head of the b.
r T. he had general charge Of the
entire system, but declared he was not
responsible for the New York Consoli-
| dated, which operated the Brighton
line, saying that John J. Hallock. its
president, was it's head. According to
his testimony. however, he had fire.
quently discussed with Mr.. Dempsey
the operation OF the Brighton line and
was familiar with the layout OF the
track at the point where the accident
took place.
Not a .Practical Railroad Man."
Mr.. Williams insisted that he could
| only speak OF safety devices as a
"layman." Mildly indignant. he in
sisted he was not a practical rail-
road man"
Was 1t your intention" continued
the District Attorney. "to furnish
your operating lines with the best
| known apparatus used on railroads."
Eventually" he replied.
What do you mean by that" said
Mr.. Lewis.
We'll, we couldn't transfer our en-
tire system in a year or two years
| OF several years" was the answer.
Mr.. Menden's testimony was in
| terrupted repeatedly by Tits with Mr.
Lewis and Mayor Hylan. He insisted
| that the reverse curve" AT Malbone
street could carry n speed from thirty
! to thlrty-five miles an hour without
dcraiiment
With the outer track raised only
| two inches" asked the Mayor. in
| oredulously.
Yes" replied the witness.
Then why was there sin mile
! an hour sign there" intericctcd Mr.
Lewis.
! because Of the temporary track"
But this track was not temporary
| said Mr.. Lewis,
Mr.. Menden said lie did not know
who was responsible for the six mile
an hour sign. Judge Hvlan was los.
! in thought
| Wouldn't a train going thirty-fivo
miles an hour sway more 70 the out
side II the outside track was raised
| only two inches instead of five?" he
finally asked. The original specifica.
! tions called for a height of five inches
II think that is true" said the wit
| ness. The evidence indicates that the
! cars swinging outward struck the con
crete wall and smashed.