Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-03
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

On the 18th Of June, 1877. a collision
occurred on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
Inquest Into q of ROCKS, Nd. Nd,
Railroad Wreck. , between en- q a. reg sg
cursion train, In which four people
all on the latter train. The Star of
June Is. 1877, makes the following
comment upon the inquest in the case:
1.-THE coroner's jury in the inquest
upon the body Of Howard Dixon. who
was killed in the Point Of Rocks rail.
road collision. were unable to agree
upon a verdict placing the respon-
sibility for the disaster. They agreed
that, the man was killed, but could
not settle where the fault lay. Ten
Of the jury, it is stated, voted for hold.
ing the officials generally responsible,
while two Of them stood out for fixing
1t upon the conductor and engineer of
the excursion train. There has been
suggested that a disagreement Of the
jury would be for the advantage of
the Baltimore q Ohio Railroad Co.,
but we do not think 50. and we doubt
II that corporation does: for any
mystification or indication Of a DISPOSE.
ton to screen the guilty party or par.
ties would tend more to cause a loss
of public confidence in the manage.
ment OF the road than an open, search.
ing investigation co.operated in by the
company to the end of fixing the re.
sponsibility squarely where 1t be.
longed. The Baltimore & Ohio road
stands 50 high in public estimation for
careful management and consideration
OF its passengers that It could well
AFFORD to institute the most searching
inquiry into the cause Of a single
disaster like this, to which the best
managed roads In the world are
rivals. AS 1t Is. and while we think
It great fault that the inquiry In
the case came to 50 lame and unsatis.
factory conclusion. we doubt not
that the company, In view Of this
warning, will put such an increased
amount Of vigilance upon the RUNNING
Of their trains as to make a repetition
Of this disaster very unlikely thing"
Up to half q century ago the Gov.
eminent contracted for the work of
Engraving curitiess and notes " with I'll
Bureau. private concerns. 1t
was then sought to have
this work done directly by the Gov.
eminent. In The Star Of June 30,
1877, IL the following:
"A telegram to the New York
Tribune from this city says: Secretary
Sherman has written a letter to Ed.
ward Mcpherson. chief OF the Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing, relative
to the management Of that bureau.
He says that 1t, Is the undoubted In.
tention Of Congress to have most Of
the work done in the Treasury De-
partment and that after repeated
examinations OF the bureau by com.
mittees OF Congress the decision has
always been that security required
Its continuance. The Secretary sees
no reason why the stamps and notes
cannot be printed as cheaply by the
Government az by private companies.
If the work Ia not done as well and
as cheaply.' he adds. It IL because
you or neglect our duty or abuse our
powers He says 1t 10 his intention
to advertise for proposals for one plate
on all United States and
bank notes, leaving all Of
the rest OF tho work to be done In the
bureau. He has given notice to the |
American and National |
Bank Note Cos. Of New York and |
10 the Columbian Co. Of WASHINGTON |
that the existing contracts with them |
will terminate at the expiration Of |
three months from July !. The con- !
tracts require. three months notice
before they can be abrOgated.