The New York herald., 1875-09-23
THE AERIAL LADDER CALAMITY.

CONTINUATION OF THE NQUEsT-MR. WHITE
AND MRS. UDA TESTIFY.
Another day was spent by Coroner Croker yesterday
In endeavorng to get at the bottom OF the that
led to the breaking of the aerial ladder the 14th
inst. But two witnesses examined, and neither OF
them succeeded in throwing any light upon the matter
True, Mrs. Uda's testimony will to show the pub
lie how great deal of the citys money is throwaway
by Mr. Green in allowing the city to be sued in cases. OF
the successful contesng of which he cannot possibly
have any hope.
Mrs. Mary Belle Scott IDA gave her testimony In Q
remarkably clear and concise manner evincing great
degree of intelligence and familiarity with business
usage She said:-The aerial ladder invented by
Paoo Pora and purchased the rights for the sale of 10
in the United States and Great Britain; introduced
the ladder in New York in the spring of 1922 expert
ments have not yet been made with the ladder in Lon
don, nor has it been condemned or pronounced unsafe
there the first parties had any conversation with in
reference to the introduction OF the ladder in New
York were the Fire Commissioners Messrs. Hitchman
Shaler and another whose name have forgotten they
allowed me detail of men for the purpose Of expert
menting with the ladder l had imported; Assistant
Chief Shay had charge Of the men, and said he had
been sent for the purpose OF examining and testing the
ladder and If found to be of service to report shortly
after this set Of Commissioners was appointed,
consisting OF Messrs. Perey Hatch and Van Cott; l
addressed letter to these gentlemen, requesting that
the aerial ladder might be tested before
them, and received reply appointing time and place
for the exhibition; the exhibition took place June
in the City Hall Park, all the Commissioners being
present; know Mr. White, but did not know him at
that time entered into contract after these exhib
tons with the Mayor and Commonalty of New York to
the aerial ladders in the city for the of $25 000
this when Mr.. Havemeyer Mayor received
the money through my lawyers on Judgment against
the city, sold the patent for the ladder TO Mr. William
b. White who then Secretary of the Board OF Fire
Commissioners In other words chief clerk of the
Fire Department; was forced to sell 1t because OF the
delays met with in getting my money from
the Comptroller; White paid me $4,000 for the
letters patent of the United States and Great
city for my money $25 Ooo on the 18th of September
1875, but pending the trial of the sold TO White
judgment rendered the 25th Of September, thr
teen days after instituted the suit the judgment
1t to White; had three ladders Of my own, which
sold to Mr. White for 81 600; there about So 00e
paid out of the s25, 900 for expenses and paid Mr.
White $40 OOo
William B. White was sworn and said his business,
the introduction and sale Of the aerial ladder;
chief clerk of the Fire Department about four
years. and dismissed the 18th of July last for
failing satisfactorily respond to resolution of the
Commissioners in reference to my purchase OF the
patent for the aerial ladder; the ladder had been
adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners about
year before dismissed; bought the patent from
Mrs Scott IDA on the 18th OF September ten months
after the adoption by the department OF the
ladder; bought the patent for the ladder because
deemed good thing for the owner particularly after
the city Of New York had purchased the right to manu-
facture them; ! paid for the ladder with my own
money at the time bought the patent knew a suit
was pending against the city Tor $25 0O0 but had no
idea that 1t would be paid in so short atimo as 1t was
the contract for the building OF the four ladders
which was wrecked on the 14th inst, awarded IA
hessrs. Abbott, Downing Co., of Concord, N. II,
who received 81, 500 apiece for them or $4,000 in al
the ladders formerly owned by Mrs Uda and brought
here as samples are nude OF white walnut, while the
that broke at the trial last week is made Of spruce
wood
The inquest will be continued and probably concluded
to-day.