Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-13
z SEPARATE PROBES
INTO ABB A.WRECK
BEGUN ON MONDAY
One Being Conducted by
Safety Bureau of |, G. Cp
Other by Order of Cover
nor HardWiCk


cations, each wholly independent Of
the other, were begun Monday morn
| ing to determine the cause of the
wreck of an A, B. & A. freight train
last Wednesday night which has re-
suited in two deaths-Engineer Nor
ris, and Frank Jones, the negro fire
man.
One of the Investigations is being
conducted by the safety bureau OF
the interstate commerce commission
The other is being made by a special
committee of three appointed Satur-
day by Governor Hardwick, and
composed of Chairman c. M. Can
dler, of the state railroad commits
sion; w. M. Turner, master mechanic
of the Georgia railroad shops; and
Wood Hudson, general superintend-
ent of the Georgia Car and Locomo-
tive works.
The federal investigation is in
charge of Assistant Chief Patterson,
of the bureau of safety of the I. c.
c., who arrived in Atlanta Monday
morning, accompanied by three in
spectors. After a. conference with
Chairman Gambler, as head Of the
railroad commission, Mr.. Patterson
and his assistants Immediately be-
gan their probe, the result of which
will be communicated to Washing
ton. This inquiry will have no di-
rect bearing on the investigation to
be made by the governors special
committee. The government agents
will pursue their own course in ar
irving at decision as to the cause
of the catastrophe, and while they
probably will interview many per-
sons, it is not likely that any formal
hearings will be had by them.
The special committee, on the 9TH
er hand, will examine the physical
! facts at the scene Of the wreck, fol-
lowing which number of witnesses
to be introduced by the railroad and
by union labor will be heard.
The cause of the wreck is the
sists that it was the result of
premeditated dynamite outrage, and
union labor representatives assert
| that it was the result of defective
rails and equipment.
| Asserting that the railroad Is pre-
| pared to establish by witnesses that
| the wreck was the result of a dyna-'
mite explosion, Attorney Reuben r.
Arnold, speaking for President B. L.
| Bugg, asked the special Investigating
committee to permit the introduc-
duction Of evidence and the produc-
ton Of witnesses before it's final
| judgment as to the cause of the
| catastrophe is taken. Representatives
| Of the labor unions who attribute the
| wreck to defective equipment, also
asked to be permitted to offer evil
dence in support of their contention.
1--WE have witnesses who heard the
explosion, we have the testimony of
the train crew that escaped Injury as
to the defamation that ratified the win
dows of the caboose, we nave the tes-
| timony of explosive experts and
others that unquestionably establish
a dynamite outrage said Mr.. Ar
mold.
1--WE have the testimony of a
chemist who made an inspection and
who found evidences of chlorate of
potassium at the scene Of the wreck,
mixed with sugar, and exploded with
dynamite caps, and we have the wrap
pers from the dynamite sticks"
The special committee met in the
offices of Chairman Murphey Gambler
of the state railroad commission.
After conference, hte COM
mittee emerged and Mr.. Gambler an
nounced the method of procedure.
1--WE have decided to visit the
scene of the wreck and inspect the
physical facts still in evidence" he
said. 1--WE will take this step i'm
mediately. Upon our return, it is
probable that we will hear such evil
cence as may be relevant of our in
vestigation. We will notify the A.,
B. & A. officers and representatives
of the labor unions as to when it
will be possible for us to hear such
evidence as they may wish to pre-
sent"