New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-06
ACCUSED OF CRIMINAL NEGLECT.
, VERDICT IN THE TUNNEL DISASTER.

THE VERDICT IN THE TUNNEL DISASTER.
TWO RAILROAD COMPANIES HELD REsPONsIBLE-A
CONDUCTOR AND sIGNALMAN ALSO CHARGED
WITH NEGIIGENCE-WORUL LACK OF APPLIANCES
TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
The investigation of the recent tunnel disaster
was concluded by Coroner Herman yesterday af-
ternoon. f. X. Chambers and Andrew Barr, passen-
gers repeated the story OF the accident, and de-
scrbed their vain attempts to give assistance to the
injured III the dar knese. George A: Van Iasse an
engineer of q train ahead the New-daven train
which was run into, testified to hearing the explO-
sion of torpedoes Coroner Herman then addressed
the jury. Tie said III part:
The collision occurred because the Harlem train
not signalled to stop at Ninety sxthst The young
Rawson failed to perform his duty In not first pro-
the safety coming south. His
that had TO attend 10 other business or that he found
the flag rope out OF order vii think, hardly free
about minutes lead. The engineer was warned
by trainmen and by the explosion of torpedoes II
his duy to stop the train, and the conductors TO
see protected II they did not do
they were according to the rules of the company.
spons bic for that neglect 1t was the DUTY or the brake
man. Robins. as the train stopped, to run back
@ was S for the neglect and It G Sr 10
decide whether he had time to go back far enough
Before the jury left the room the telegraph
operator Rawson, was permitted to make an addl-
tional statement lie said
Some official said that the protection Of trains my
fret duty. claim That did my first duty because II
had not telegraphed that the New-Hayen train
coming there would have been collision with the Har
lem train There other train in sight behind the
Eighty that the Harlem train was behind the
New-Hayen train did my first duty
The Jury retired to deliberate at 3:15 p. m at z
o'clock they returned the following verdict
We find that Marie ALBERT, Elizabeth Crommelin and
william Howe died in consequence OF injuries sustained
IN Se tunnel or sdecu Of the NewYorR ana Harlem
Railroad otherwise known as the Rapid Transit Road;
sad collision being caused by train or the New York
and Harlem Railroad Company running into train OF
the New-YOrk, NewHaven and Hartford Railroad Com
many at the time standing on said track.
We find that to the failure of W. ID. c. Rawson. the
telegraph operator at the street station, to
signal the approaching NewYOrk and Harlem train Is
attributable tue possibility OF such accident; and
fnd W. d. C. RawsOn guilty Of culpable negligence
We find that George Rood the conductor OF the News
York New-Haveu and Hartford train. I'm conducting hi
train with insufficient number of brakemen and with
the necessary equipment for signal service and in
accepting unqualified person OF immature age and
inadequate experience as substitute for "a regular
brakeman aud in other and material respects being
garless Of the safety OF the passengers whose lives
in his keeping, was guilty of gross aud criminal neg
We consider that Robert L. Robins, in assuming the
duties of "a brakeman aufnot following the rules gov
ernng the running Of trains in immediately proceeding
to the rear HIS train stopped, notify approach
Ing trains Is guilty of culpable negligence
Railroad Company is guilty of gross and criminal neg
gence IN failing 10 provide In said tunnel sufficient APP
provide ia said tunnel sufficient number of employees
TO carry such precautions the rules require TO be
taken In such emergencies and is therefore responsible
" We t,'' further ind the New-York, New-Havcn
and Hartford Railroad Company guilty Of
gross and criminal negligence and reprehensble for
derelcton OF dl in falling to provide Oh the trains
d "a
win, Instructed in the duty of leaving their trains
when delayed, and going along the track suitable dis
to apprise approaching trains or danger; that
their failure to provide sufficient number OF brake
the wrecked train the cause or the deaths of
said Marie Aubert Elizabeth Crommelin and william
Howe; and they are responsible, therefore, afore
said.
We would urge upon tine Legislature the enactment
of aws providing for greater safety in railroad travel,
and recommend that the Common Council assist,
tney can in speedily procuring such legislation
We cannot refrain from cOndemning tho management
OF these roads mistaken economy, which, directed
the securing OF large DIVIDENDS, ignores ana dspenses
with the simplest agencies required for the safety OF
their passengers.
The jury also Of the opinion any engineer who
leaves engine especially in the time OF
at "a crisis, did Abram Close, engineer Of the New
York, New-Haven and Hartford Railroad Company.
does to be governed by proper sense OF his
responsibilities under the circumstances deserves
the aeyerest oensurc.
we lind that the omission the block system from the
rapid transit tracks where In our Judgment 1t is most
necessary, IL a defect.
We nd no means adopted for lighting tunnels on what
known the rapid transit tracks, which, our
Judgment, Is essential To the security OF travel We
therein.
We recommend that the arrangement OF ditches and
the OF road eds In tunnels be placed In condition
to make them safe for passage.
We una, on personal examination that the ventilation
of the RAPID transit tunnels Is deficient and
and those that are made be enlarged much IA
practicable
The Coroner thanked the jury for their careful
consideration OF the subject He then said that
blessrs. Rawson Robins and Rood would be obliged
tO renew their bonds to-day.
THE DINRURY EI(R