Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-24
POLICY DIFFERENCE
CAUSE OF TRAGEDY
Rail Executives in Murder and
Suicide Known to Have Dis
agreed for Some Time.

By the Associated Press
BALTIMORE, September 24-The
shooting to death of the president of the
Western Maryland Railways by vice
president of the road, who then took
his own life, was aScribed today to fric-
ton over matters of policy in connec-
ton with the road.
A coroner's verdict declared Dudley
G.. GRAY, vice president in charge of
traffic, shot and killed Maxwell c. Byers,
the president and fatally wounded him.
self The two men were found in the
presidents office, pistol lying at Gray's
side.
Gray had been with the road II years
He was 81 years old. Byers. who was
50 years old, became president in 1920
Until 1926, when ByerS also became
chairman of the board, Gray made his
reports directly to the board OF direc-
tors, but after that the reports were
handled by Byers alone.
Tried to Escape.
Further facts Of the drama Of the
double tragedy came to light today
with information Byers made q des-
perate effort To escape. running about
his Office as Gray fired shot after shot
after him.
But the door was locked and he final
" fell. his body punctured by eight bull
lets, one of which had pierced his
heart. Two bullets were found in the
body Of Gray. one close 10 the heart. 1t
was that wound, physicians said. caused
his death four and half hours later
In nearby hospital
Business officials who knew them told
police there had been a noticeable an
tagonism between the president and the
vice president. Minor railroad en-
ployes said they had engaged III stormy
conferences in recent months. Police
were informed the two had been at
odds over litigation In which thSir rail-
road was involved.
No Actual Witnesses.
There were no actual witnesses to the
shooting. but the shots were heard by
clerks and stenographerS in a room
separated from the office by a parti-
ton. Bullets nicked furniture. shattered
windows and ripped hole in the Office
door.
1t was through this hole, minutes
later, that a clerk, Charles Z. Belt,
peered. He saw the president dead on
the floor, and Gray. a few feet away
bleeding and attempting to rise
Asked by the clerk who had done the
shooting Gray was quoted as mutter-
ing, That's obvious" He said no more
Police took possession Of a pistol
found by Gray'S side with five unex-
ploded bullets in its cylinders. From
the floor, however, were taken 10 empty
shells. At the hospital a second pistol,
with one bullet, was taken from Gray's
clothing.
AIrs. Byers Collapsed.
Mrs. Byers was taken to the hospital,
and when told of the death of her hus-
band collapsed and was placed under
the care OF doctor. No one was per-
mitted to communicate with her.
Mrs. Gray was at her former home in
Columbus. Ohio, and started for Balti-
more when informed of the tragedy.
Her husband died, however, before she
left the city.
Statement by Company.
"Mr. Byers and Mr.. Gray have been
officials of the Western Maryland Rail-
way Tor 10 years or more" said stsre-
n1ent issued by the company. "WfWe
they frequently differed sharply on mat
tiers of policy in connection with the
companys affairs, We never knew them
10 nave serious personal differences"
But aside from expressions Of opinion
that the antagonism was over the traffic
department of the road, OF which Gray
had charge, fellow officials could shed
little light
Fellow officials Sc l Gray apparently
was in good spirit when he reached
the Office shortly IRE noon yesterday,
and Went into conference with Byers.
They believed, however. that he had
become obsessed with the idea that he
was not being treated fairly.
There was no movement to retire Mr..
Gray, his position being SECURE. Neither
did ByerS contemplate resigning, It was
said at the Western Maryland head
quarters
Relations between the two were strict
~ on railroad matters. They never met
socially, their associates said.