New-York tribune., 1883-06-05
THE HIGHWAY TO BROOKLYN
SEEKING THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.


TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CoRoNERs JURY BY
SUPERINTENDENT MARTIN AND MR. srRANAHAN
The inquest into the cause of the Bridge disaster
was continued before Coroner Martin yesterday
Superintendent G. @. Martin and James s. i: stran-
examined. The superintendent testified that on
Wednesday. because il was Decoration Day, ne
time until the accident he was in his office, but
received reports regularly regarding the Bridge.
About O'clock ho heard a tremendous rumo.
afterv ard learned that it was o hook and ladder
truck from New York He went out at once to the
tower, and .then earned atFonce what the tron ole
was. At the point of the accident he found t1at az
the bodies had been removed. He had heard TWO
or three different stories the cause OF the acc
dent. To the best Of his information woman had
ing it the last stop, she had looked around ana
had fallen. Somc one above screamed; the Peopie
came crowding and down; it was supposed that
the Bridge was falling. and the pane ensuea. u
There were then about forty-four policemen , em
poysd on tn. Bridge twsRytw0 Sy aAy Syvs1e
hours 1t had been decided to increase the number
TO sixty-six and make three sections, each working
eight hours. The superintendent appointed these
portion or them for years. and they had been en-
Sycd IN yaoas DpbSg ON bEe bs sad obo
sen them for. He had known tho others as being
capable men. The captain in charge OF the police
was James Ward who had for twelve years been
a sergeant had becu reduced in rank because he
had neglected to notice entry on tho botter, and
had accordingly resigned his place. The witness
considered Ward competent in view OF his twelve
years experience. ~
Since the accident, MIR. Martin went on m iddle
railing had been put on the steps extending about
ment this was obstruction, AS experience on Sun
day showed At pm. OF that day, when the stream
of people was large he found the half for people 20
ing to Brooklyn impeded for 800 feet back from the
steps while the other side was entirely empty. III
the railing had not been there the police on either
side could have given the right proportion 70 the
Tba linz IN, nj n
additional point for people TO be crowded against
The stairs, the superintendent said, should De as
they They % ea qea H Seve Il MSs
BILE to remove the steps and put inclined plane in
their stead. In his Judgment the steps were very
much safer. When covered with ice, the piane
would be impossible. | still believe the steps the
proper thing" said the witness. In his Judgment
the safest stairway was one OF ordinary steps REQ
pie in crowd would godown there without looking
IL the steps were wider, then people would have TO
see where TO step next lie thought che Bridge po
lice capable of managing the Bridge as they mad on
days before tho accident and since when the crowds
were greater. Regarding .the opening OF IA gateway
from the promenade TO the roadways 10y removing the
fence Mr. Martin said that this was practlcaDle
now; it would 10 Impossible when the cars were
put on. This plan was III use now Wheh Trains
should be running II had been arranged 10 close the
roadway to vehicles on this side, and give 1t up 10
pedestrians in case OF great crowds Replying TO
Juror Mr. Martin said that If the Bridge were loaded
10 the maximum with people, teams ana cars ana
this weight multiplied by four. there would De
danger that the Bridge would break. In case au-
other bridge were built ho would advise steps In
stead Of an inclined plane. lie thought 10 was not
advisable 10 change tho present structure In the
least There were two three ways 20 make WIDER
promenade he said One would be to plank over
part the space abov the railway another would be
toextend the floor beams to give passagevn the
outside. The promenade was necessary where III
was II was not constructed with a uniform rise,
the same as the railway because 1t was necessary to
give il its present height in order to afford opportu
nity for side bracing otherwise the trusses would
not be sufficiently stable; and then II would have
taar, IN OVpr
teen feet by single flight OF steps at the towers.
II was impossible to change the plan OF the Bridge
and either steps or inclined plano must be used.
In conclusion Mr.. Martin reiterated his confidence
in the present police force and asserted with de-
cision that no political influence had had anything
10 do with their selection. chose them and
shoulder the responsibility" he said.
Mr. Stranahan testified that the original plan OF
the Bridge contemplated a railway. lie thought the
Bridge properly constructed. He had had converse
tions with Commodore Vanderbilt touching The
| OF the Bridge, but this was in connection with
sunkcn road from Forty -second.st. 10 CITY Hall
| Square for which Mr.. Vanderbilt had a charter.
The present plan was the best Thought OF the elder
| ana the younger Roebling The witness thought
the present police force capable. Mr.. Roebling. he
| said would prefer walks o1tside by extending the
beams or by brackets. II there were To be more
| promenade room. No exclusive privilege would be
given TO any railroad. This would be III opposition
TO the sentiment of the trustees.
| The Inquest was adjoaIned until p. m. to-day