The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume], June 14, 1913, Image 1

About The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917

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DO TOIX
trant a furnished room, or a
flat, read The Fanner Clas
sified Ads. You II find what
you want.
THE WEATHER
Fair tonight and
tomorrow
PRICE TWO CENTS
VOL. 49 NO. 141
BRIDGEPORT, CONN., SATURDAY, JUNE 14,. 1913
W01WI TESTIFIES THII1EI
. '-EMELY'-OM- "THE IliM. ELEMENT
. - . i f ' ' : ;
Declares Officials of Road Have Made Ljttte
Progress in Installing Automatic ,:'
Safety Appliances V
The second day's inquiry into the cause of accident at
Stamford brought the operating officials of the road
strongly in the limelight, today. General Superintendent
Clayton N. Woodward was the principal witness and ex
plained many points that had heretofore been obscured.
He upheld the "human element' theory as against me
chanical devices which he did not believe had yet been
perfected. " ' , .
He was followed by several engineers who had run the
fatal "1332" on days prior to the wreck.
John Harmon, an engineer, had been suspended two
kiays' before as he had run by a signal. He had not seen
the cautioning arm. V
Charles Rust had also operated the same engine with
success, but was evasive in his replies and failed to make
an impression upon the listeners.
John Francis Carroll, in charge of all engines and-engineers,
testified that.Doherty had an excellent record but
had "hard luck" and had been instructed on the day of
the accident "not to let the engine get away from him."
An adjournment has been taken until Tilonday, when
similar hearings of the Interstate Commerce Commission
and 'the Public "TJtilites Board of Connecticut; will jiivide
the "witnesses. '" - . f;; ' '
Facts to sustain the claim of Engineer i6herty that
liis air brakes were not working properly, accumulate as
the hearing proceeeds. Engineer "John Harmon was laid
off for runningvby a signal on Monday. Two days before
the accident atStamf ord Doherty testifies' that he reported
the brake working poorly. , That it did work poorly is de
clared by the other men on the train.
Coroner iPhelan will inquire further into the burning
of the parlor car, Skylark, which was destroyed at mid
night, before it had been subject to inspection by. the
state authorities. ' x .
The coroner does not assert that the car was burned
to destroy evidence, but he does assert that the burning of
the car will create the suspicion that it was done to destroy
evidence. -' -
It would of course be important to know to what ex
tent the frame work of the Skylark had been weakened by
age, and the amount of fire hazard involved in its use
might also be important. ,
Doherty and his fireman broke all precedents by de
clining to attend the investigation held before General
Manager Bardo of the New Haven company, last night.
They will reserve their testimony -for the benefit of the
etate of Connecticut. , '
The Interstate Commerce Commission will begin a
irigid investigation on June 18. It is expected that Com
missioner McChord will sit in person, and that the inquiry
will be held in this cty.
Special attention will be given to the" failure of the
New Haven company to use steel cars, and to its failure
to install automatic stops, as recommended by Coroner
Phelan at the time of the Westport wreck.
WOODWARD STAR WITNESS
BEFORE CORONER TODAY
(By Our Staff Correal.)
Coroner John J. Phelan toJay began
nw of the most searching Investiga
tions of official railroad responsibility
that lias yet been undertaken in any
rcent Inquiry.
With General Superintendent Clayton
r. Woodward, of the New Haven sys
tem unexpectedly called upon to tes
tify, an effort to fix the definite du
ties of every operating head was
made.
- Particular reference was given to
the duties of each in reference to the
maintenance of roadbed, and the pur
chase of "modern and up-to-date equip
ment, where found necessary. This
grower was, to the -best belief of the
General Superlntendant, to be vested
b iroOBt wholly with President Mellen,
end the Board of Directors.
Neither the General Manager nor the
general superintendent had such au
thority and the latter had never ap
peared at a meeting of this board.
Coroner Phelan displayed a knowl
edge of railroad operation which as
tounded the many authorities present,
j.nd disclosed a fact heretofore deemed
saradoxloal. After lengthy question-
elicited from such fountain
head as the road's general superin
tendent that not only can two trains
technically be ' within one block but
that they often are, as was the caee
at Stamford.
He showed that many of the minor
operations of the railroad including
engineers and" conductors also testi
fied yesterday are either ignorant of
what actually constitutes a "block" or
that they wilfully sought to evade his
questioning. As proven by the cor
oner, a "block" consists of four sig
nals; a starter, a distance, a home
and the following starter. In railroad
theory the last is seldom considered
yet General Superintendent Wood
ward today was forced to admit lit
erally a block was from starter to
starter and that two trains might be
within and except at drawbridges and
grade railroad crossings where law
prescribed "derail" the ingenuity of
man had yet failed to devise mechan
ical means to prevent the loss of lift
where human Judgment erred or ma
chinery did not operate.
The "human factors" which had
been upheld by New Haven officials
at former inquiries was haled from
Its hiding place. Though reticent to
acknowledge -that tots faith or that of
Mr. Mel 1 en had been shaken by the
recent series of mishaps, the general
superintendent 'was forced to admit
contrivances -were now sought to pre
vent the frightful loss en-tajled by the
constant repetition of disaster. It was
entered on record that railroad men
believed mechanical means contributed
to cure business and that "derails" at
draws and grade crosimgs would now
be removed were they not legally re
quired. An- attempt to right what was term
ed ' a wrong impression prevailing
against the-, road was made by offi
cials put on the stand at the rail
road's request. Meetings (have been
held weekly at the division offices
where men have been coached, in
structed and told to respect life and
signals. ( Engineers have been dis
charged for minor Infractions and gen
eral, fear-has been Instilled; la an ef
fort to maintain efficiency, but the
road has been "unEouna.te."
Other witnesses were t introduced to
ehoW that on previous days the air
pump on "1338" engine had been work
ing' properly. All admitted the lever
operated hard with power shut off
and would more eo when running.
: Adjournment was taken until Mon
day morning. Announcement that a
Joint meeting of the Interstate Com
merce Commission and Public Utilities
Board of Conneofcicttt would be held
in JCew Haven on that day wias also
made. . -
DOHERTY GOOD
FIREMAN AND
GOOD ENGINEER
Tfisfioony Given: Superiors
of Uliforienite EniiiMian
Stamford. June 14 When the cor
oner's inquest 'into the fatal wreck
on ttoe New York,. New Haven 3c
Hartford railroad here, Thursday af
ternoon, 1 was resumed in the city
court, today, it was expeoted that
further evidence would be given as to
the efCfoency of the brakin appara
tus and general condition of the big
Pacific type locomtlve which bored In
to the parlor car Skylark.
, Coroner John J. Bhelan hsbd order
ed that the book In which Engineer
Charlies J. Doherty said, yesterday, he
had ws-itten his complain that the en
gines brakes were- "no good," at the
Stamfibrd roundhouse, on .Tuesda'y, and
Engineer John Harmon, of .New Ha
ven,, who had been laid offj"the day
before for running this engine past a
signal, be produced for, today's hear
ing. Harmon 'had given' aa -his excuse
that, the brakes, failed- to work.
It was also expected that Engineer
Doherty, Who is held under $5,000
bonds on a technical charge of man
slaughter, would be on hand to an
swer any feint her questions which the
coroner might wish to ask .him. The
general nature and working' of the
block signal system on the road and
other details of operations were also
expected to be Inquired into.
Ddherty was early in the courtroom,
accompanied as fee was yesterday by
his brother-in-law, John H. Dillon,- of
New Haven. Assistant Ftrosecuiting
Attorney Fred, Huacford was again
seated with the coroner.
.. Thomas H. Dunn, was called but he
was not In the room' aioS Clayton N.
Woodward, general superintendent of
the New York, New Haven &. , Hart
ford road was called. After being
sworn hie was asked to tell what .his
duties were. He replied that the ques
tion was -a difficult one to answer. He
was then asked as to the duties of
Superintendent Droege, of the.. Shore
Line division. The latter 'had general
supervision of operation of that divi
sion but has assistan ts and flther sub
ordinates. s
- The coroner asked If witness had
stated the du'taes! as specifically as
possible and Mr. Woodward said he
had. There was no book of rules to
guide the superintendent but the man
himself knew when -he had exceeded
his authority.
The witness further said that his
powers were limited. General Manager
C. L. Bardo being hi3 superior. Mr
Woodward said he was general super
intendent of the New York, New Ha
ven & Hartford Railroad' which in
cluded the. lines from New York to the
Berkehires, -the Norwich and Worces
ter and many other branches. There
are six superintendents of divisions.
Mr. Bardo is general superintendent
Of tSie Central New England also. Ask
ed about the Boston, & ' Mlalne, Mr.
Woodward explained that that line
was operated independently. The lim
itations of fchel general superintendents
power included that of expenditures.
He had no authority to expend, ex
cept under authority from higher of
ficers. ' In response to further ques
tions, Mr. Woodward stated he had
no power to make contracts ' or pur
chase equipment. Asked as to ' pur
chase of engines he replied that he
presumed President Mellen had the
power but the large experience prob
ably the board of directors would pass
on it.
Further replying to- inquiry by the
coroner, the witness again stated th'at
ho knew of no book or set Of rules
circumscribing the duties of any en
gineer. His duties were general su
pervision. He promised on request of
the coroner to furnish later a writ
ten statement of his duties and also,
In co-operation with Mr. Droege, that
(Continued on Paji Two) '
RICH PARK AVE,
RESIDENTS LOSE
TO SHELINSKY
Supreme Court Orders
Them to Convey
Deed to Him
Decision of Superior Court Is
Reversed By Higher Tri-
John E5. Foster and Waldo- C. Bryant
or tms city nave lost- in meir at
tempt to keep Abraham Sbelinsky from
moving two old houses to Atlantic
street, property near the Foster and
Bryant residences. The supreme court
has handed down a decision finding
error in the 1 superior cpurt's decision
and fi-ndlTio- in favirr of ShelinSkv. The
supreme court finds against Bryant
and requires him toTgtve tsneansKy a
deed for the property in payment of
'$2,700. Costs of the case are found
against Foster.
The trouble arrose in 1910 when it
was alleged that Foster agreed to sell
RholiniW tend on Atlantic street ad-
Joining property owned by Wilson
Marshall, .Bryant ana jroscer.
The purchase price was to be $3,000
and the purchaser paid $300 down. Lat
er It was claimed that Foster refused
to turn the (Sped over to Shelinsky
-i r wsa- kunuid that the CUT
chaser intended to move two hoiises he
had bought from Warner Bros, to tne
Atlantic street location. Instead, Fos
ter conveyed the -land to Bryant.. She
linsky sued for $10,000 damages and
also asked that the property 'be . con
veyed to him.' . -
In the superior court Judge Burpee
found for Foster and Bryant. At
torneys Stiles Judson, Henry E. Shan
non, William H. Comley, Jr., and Sha
pt'o & Shapiro appeared for the plain
tiffs '
- In the suit of Harris Goldberg of
this city against Albert J. Parker of
this city, the' supreme court ordered
Judgment of the common pleas court
reversed and remanded the case with
instructions to find for Goldberg: The
latter sued Parker to get possession
of certain property on Cottage street
which Parker had transferred to his
wife... Goldberg claimed the transfer
was made with the intent of defrauding-
him.
In the action of Peter F. Marron of
Norwalk against the Connecticut Com
pany, no error is found. Marron, who
Is a minor, was given a verdict of
$4,000 In the superior court. ,
He was injured in 1910 when a trol
ley car in Darien Jumped a switch
and crushed the boy against a pile
of ties. One of his ' legs was frac
tured and the other so Injured that
the toes and heel were amputated.
D. J.' STAFFORD TO
TO LOSE HIS LICENSE
The liquor license of Dudley J. Staf
ford, proprietor of the Stratford Inn,
Stratford, will be revoked in a few
days by the county commissioners.
This action must be taken because
Judge James F. Walsh of the common
pleas court refused to give Stafford a
certificate. Stafford was recently
convicted upon the testimony of the
state police of violating 'the liquor
law.
The statutes provide that when a
certificate is refused the license must
be revoked. The commissioners said
today that no formal action had been
taken yet but the papers would prob
ably be signed next week. At that
time Stafford's bond will be called
also. . !
CONNECTICUT
f BEATEN BY BAY
STATE GOLFERS
Watertown, Mass., June 14 In the
annual team match Detween Connecti
cut and Massachusetts golfers played,
this year, at the Oakley Country Club,
the home players captured the four
some, this morning, by a score of
3 to 2.
QLne of th ematches went an, extra
hole while another was1 carried to the
home green for a decision.
FOREMAN .
SUICIDE OF WAR
CORRESPONDENT IN
NEW YORK HOTEL
New York, June 14 Angus Hamilton,
former war correspondent in the Bal
kans for the Central News Associa
tion of London, cut his throat with a
razor and killed himself in his apart
ment in an uptown hotel, today. He
was captured by the Bulgars and im
prisoned as a spy but escaped.
M RIXLEY'S ASSASSINATION.
To the Editor of The Farmer: Can
you tell me when former President
McKinley was killed?
-He" met his death at Buffalo, N. Y.,
September 6, 1901. '
6,000 WOMEN
IN FUNERAL
PROCESSION
Escort Body of Derby
Martyr Through
London Today
Militants indignant at Sugges
tion of Scotfand Yard Pay Ro
Attention -to the Police
London, June 14 The suffragettes,
militant as well as non-militant, bad
made elaborate preparations , for the
funeral, today, of Miss Emily Wild
ing Davison who died of injuries re
ceived in interfering with the King's
horse during the running of the Derby
on June 4.
A special train' brought the body of
the "martyr" from Epsom to Victoria
Station where a procession composed
of between 6,000 and 6,000 women was
organized to escort It across the city
through the principal streets to St
George's church, Bloomsbury, where
the service was held. Crowds gath
ered early . In the vicinity of the mili
tant suffragette headquarters . where
the blinds were down and a huge ban
ner hung at half mast. Detachments
of women arrived from the provinces
to participate in . the parade. Most
of them were dressed in white with
purple sashes and black bands round
their arms and carried bouquets and
wreaths of white flowers.
Shortly after midday 20 bands as
sembled at the "Victoria station where
there was a great display of wreaths
bound with he suffragette colors and
banners to be borne in the procession.
One of these bore the legend, "Fight
On. God Will Give the Victory," and
another "Unconquerable and Not
Afraid." '
'The train bearing the coffin left 'Ep
som station soon after 11 o'clock. The
coffin was covered with; purple. The
funeral procession was to pass through
the main streets of London between
Victoria station and Bloomsbury. The
officials of Scotland Yard suggested
that the women Bhould parade through
the quieter side streets. They be
came highly Indignant and announced
tha t - they - woudi pay no attention to
the' police. The' coffin was drawn' Jtt
four black horses and the bands play
ed dirges while members of .the vari
ous organizations fell into line behind
the hearse, each group headed by Its
banner and all wearing mourning em
blems. Enormous crowds surrounded
the station, making -progress, difficult.
The oarade was divided into 11 eec
tlons,: under the. command of the chief
marsh nl. Miss Mary Allen, who on
Beveral occasions has suffered impris
onment for the "cause."
The suffragettes marched; in fours,
all carrying flowers. The coffin was
In the middle of the procession and
the clergy of St. George's church
Bloomsbury. marched at the head.
The. pastor of the church, Rev. Charles
Drdd Baumgarten, issued a statement
that he was not a sympathizer with
the women's militant tactics. . t
FATHER SWEENEY
SUFFERS SEVERE
SINKING SPELL
Condition Jecomes Critical
During Night, But Is More
Reassuring Today "
Rev. "Timothy R.' Sweeney, pastor of
the Sacred Heart church, who has
been- In poor health for several
ihonths, suffered a sinking spell last
night' that caused much alarm in the
parochial residence. '
father Sweeney raflied -slightly this
forenoon, and this afternoon his con
dition, while grave, was more reas
suring. Clergymen throughout the
city kept in close touch with the rec
tory through the ' day. There was
much anxiety. ,
i Father Sweeney has been in the
priesthood about 33 years. He .is one
of the best known priests of the dio
cese of Hartford, having served in
curacies and pastorates successively in
aierirlen, Norwich, Litchfield, Port
land end this city. He succeeded Rev.
J. C. O'Eiien as pastor of the Sacred
Hi-art chr.rch 15 years ago. He Is a
native of New London.
FOREMAN KILLED
IN DISMANTLING
AN ENGINE TODAY
Waterbury, June 14 James McDon
nell, aged 46, foreman of the mill
wrights at the Benedict & Burnham
branch of the Amreican Brass Com
pany, was killed, today, while dis
mantling . an engine. One section was
being hoisted on a chain attached to
either end when a link broke throw
ing one end of the engine part against
McDonnell. His head was frightfully
crushed. He had been employed at
the factory for 25 years.
THBEE, STILL ALAR3IS.
The fire department responded to
three still alarms this morning two of
which were for back draughts in
chimneys and the ""other one a back
fire from an automobile. At 8 o'clock
the chemical was called to 72 Elm
street where short work was made of
the first back draught. At S:65 No.
3 truck was called to 1492 Lexington
avenue where the fire caused by th
second back draught was soon extin
guished. At 9:42 a back fire from a
big Alco car in the Peerless garage on
Fairfield avenue was ablaze. Little
damage was done at any of - the fires.
Druggist Continues Business Despite
the Revocation of His Drug
and Pharmacist License
PHARMACY BOARD PLAHSTT0 PROSEGUTt
Commissioner Levity Says City Court Deci
sion Has Nothing to Do With Attitude of
His BoardWon't Criticise Coughlin
but Points to Action of His Board
Taking the position that the state
board of pharmacy commissioners has
overstepped Its powers In revoking his
drug license and his pharmacist li
cense, Abraham Burnstein opened his
drug store today as usual, and did
business.
J. A. Leverty of this city, secretary
of the state board,- and one of - the
prominent figures In the nation wide
crusade against the abuse of drugs.
When he learned of Bumstein's inten-,
tion, said the board did not regard the
Burnstein store as a drug store, and
would proceed against It as against
any unlicensed . place conducting a
drug business. The board revoked the
license yesterday.
?: Burnstein plans to fight the case In
the courts, acting under legal advice.
He is represented by Fallon & Green
stein. t v
Mr.' Leverty, wh la one of the three
members of the state board, would
not discuss the decision of Judge
Coughlin who exonerated Burnstein of
the drug selling charge.
"You know what action the pharmacy-commission
took," said he,
"'thai should speak for itself." j
- Ks explained -tliat the .board ,of
pharmacy - commissioners has' po wer to
,act entirely Independent of the
courts, and that every step that the
board has taken In the Burnstein case,
as in other cases . of a similar nature
elsewhere in the state,; was under the
legal counsel of the attorney general,
John H. Light. V
"If the court saw to discharge
this man," said Mr. Leverty, "it
doesn't alter the position of the board
in the matter. .-
We have been advised that we may
suspend such a license. If a convic
CAN'T CHANGE PLAN TO
MAKE BRIDGEPORT STATE
CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS
Congressman Lonergan Convinced of-Futility
of Effort to Change Proposition
of Reorganization
There is little .probability that ' the
reorganization plan for the customs In
Connecticut will be changed at this
session of Congress.
This Is the belief of Congressman
Augustine Lonergan, of Hartford, who
made a flying trip into Connecticut,
yesterday, to attend - the ' Haddam
Bridge celebration. Last night he was
the guest of his brother, Edward Lon
ergan, In this city. - '
Congressman Lonergan's. views fol
lowed a sturdy effort made by him to
upset the conditions which make
Bridgeport the chief customs office of
the state, and the other; offices sub
stations. The congressman naturally
wished this honor to come to - Hart
ford. "I am convinced," he - said, "that
there will be no change in the reor
ganization plans. Assistant Secretary
Curtis, who assisted . in drafting the
reorganization plan,' feels sure that
there will be no change. Most of the
members of the House, with whom I
HARBOR FRONT OF
NORWALK SWEPT BY
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
Radel Co. Among Many "Who
Suffer Losses From Blaze
on Water. Front
South Norwalk, June 14 Fire, which
started from causes unknown, about
11:30 o'clock, today, completely de
stroyed the famous Radel Oyster Com
pany's old building on the Washing
ton street bridge over the Norwalk
harbor, threatened the destruction of
the Decker Oyster Company, Sealehipt
Oyster Company and . Sterling Oyster
Company houses, consumed the M. A.
Blakeman spile driver here from
Bridgeport and caused - several thous
and dollars' worth of damage, the es
tion is secured, it merely has the effect
of fortifying our position. But if there
is no conviction, it does not alter our
position, oc affect the legality of our
procedure.
"The reason we did not suspend tho
license of Burnstein on the spot," he
continued, "is that we had other cast s
in rniud. In the first place, we wanted
to keep the matter quiet, and in the
second place, we wanted to have the
case brought into court
"This man, Dowd, when arrested,
disclosed the names of many places
where he could obtain these dniga.
Thanks to the co-oporation of Super-
lntendent Birmingham and Captain
Arnold we were able to send Dowd
about the state, and in not a single
instance where he said he could pur
chase the drug", did he fail to prove
the truth- of his statement. -
"Dowd said he could get drugs at
Burnetein's. Detectives searched him '
from head to footj first at headquar
ters, then just outside Burnstein's.
When he came from the store, he had
the drug.
"He did the same thing In Hart
ford: A druggist was convicted on
his- testimony. There has been no
f trouble about getting convictions else-
wnare. W expee to get .more of
them. But the action of the court in
entirely apart from the action of the
board. The board is not to be guided
by it."
Mr. Leverty went on to say that the
conditions which .-exist in Bridgeport
are not locaj. . They are nation wide.
So grave has , the situation become
that there la pending In Congress a
measure providing a maximum fine of
$2,O00. and five years imprisonment
for the abuse of the drug by physi
cians.
have talked, believe the plan' should
stand as it is.
"The appointment-will probably be
in- July, but Collector Enos will hold
office until his commission expires,
which will he Feb. 28."
"In the matter of tariff legisla
tion," said the congressman, "I ha.vt
nothing to say. We are working a
the bill, and making good progress.
I do not feel certain that somethln?
definite in the way of currency legis
lation will corjie from this session.
There are three bills, ' I understaid,
one preparing by Mr. Glass, chairman
of the sub committee on currency and
banking, one by Secretary) McAdon,
and one by President Wilson. No bill
will Je ready. I am told upon good
authority, before sometime in July.
This legislation will be of the utmost
consequence to the country and I shall
give It careful consideration."
Congressman Lonergan was a guest
of the committee at the East Haddam
celebration, today. He will return tj
Washington tonight or early Monday.
timate not being official at this time.
The South Nornalk and East Xor
walk fire 'departments did excellent
work in saving everything but the
spile driver and the Radel building
which, fanned by the north wind, was
burned to the ground in les3 than two
hours.
The fire may have been started by
workmen in the building which was
unused and being razed to make way
for the new Washington . street $250,
000 bridge now under course of con
struction. '
The great heat prevented a close ap
proach to the building by any save
the firemen and several were over
come by getting too close to the con
flagration. PRESIDENT SEEKS
RECREATION IN GOLF
Washington, June 14 President Wil
son, today, followed" his custom of.
seeking recreation on Saturday and
went out to play golf.