interstatecommercecommission

This was an accident at Stamford, Connecticut, on June 12, 1913. A west-bound express train from Boston apparently did not stop for a signal, and rammed into the (wooden) Skylark chair-car (pictured above), that was stopped at Stamford Station, killing six people and injuring dozens more. There was an extensive investigation amid differing claims that the brakes were either faulty, or were in excellent condition. — excerpted from New York Times. This accident appears to mark the end of major railroads using wooden coaches, with all steel construction becoming the norm.[1] (Note the large wheels of the locomotive are under the wooden coach car.)  

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Ghastly. The engine went more than half way through the passenger car. Interesting that the locomotive wasn't damaged in the collision. Two days later its brakes were tested at full speed by a panel of experts. The engine appears to be a 4-6-2 (Pacific) locomotive.

The Interstate Commerce Commission of the United States. On the top of the photo are names of the men, from left to right: Meyer Harlan Clements Clark Prouty McChord Marble According to the All Commissioners List, the men, their time on the commission, and home state are: James S. Harlan 1906-1918 IL Charles C. McChord 1910-1926 KY Balthasar H. Meyer 1910-1939 MI John Hobart Marble 1913 CA Edgar E. Clark 1906-1921 IA Charles A. Prouty 1896-1914 VT Judson C. Clements 1892-1917 GA This photo was take between March 10 and November 20, 1913. According to the All Commissioners List, the photo's date must be in 1913 because Marble only served one year. This is confirmed in the New York Times, Novemeber 22 1913 page 1, which describes the sudden death of Marble. The date of his appointment to the commission was March 10, 1913. Possibly this photo is from soon after March 10, when Marble and Clark were appointed to the commission. Incidentally, on page 9 of the August 14, 1915 New York Times, it is described that Marble replaced Franklin Knight Lane when he became Secretary of the Interior, and Marble was succeeded by Silas W. Smith after death. Neither of these men are photographed, strengthening the case for March 10 to November 20 1913 as the date. Marble had served as attorney and secretary for the commission before being appointed as commissioner, so this extra step seems important.

My suspicion is confirmed in the bottom left of the photo: very faintly written is "3/15/13". March 15th, 1913.

Impressive research ^^

A few random notes. Articles the New York Times that outline what the ICC was working on that month. Table of Cases and Opinions of the Interstate Commerce Commission - April 1887-June 1913 -- full book available online at Google Library. And, just for kicks, volumes of the Railroad Age Gazette from 1913 - -- full book available online at Google Library. -- Seen in a discussion of Flickr Commons. (?)

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