The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-07
INQUEST IS BEGUN
Attorney General Mccormick
and the inspectors Begin
the Investigation.
PROCEEDINGS WILL Be OPEN
Committee Of Miners Wait on the
Commissioner and Are Told They
May Have an Attorney at the
HaarinsS- 'RappingS' Hystory Is
EXplainel--ReliSS Committee Or
GaniZes--A Triblno Reporter Goes
to the Face Of tho Slope.

Pursuant to the directions of Cover
nor Hastings, Mine Inspectors William
Stein of Shenandoah. Edward ROdericlS
of Scranton, and Edward Brennan Of
Sham0kin, the commission appointed
TO investigate the Twin shaft disaster,
met yesterday at Pittston and began its
labors. Attorney General Henry c. Nc
COrlnick, of Williamsport, accompanied
by his stenogranher, II. NJ. Iloke, of
Harrisburg, came on to direct the pro-
ceedings and advise with the inspect
OrS
The commission secured quarters at
the Eagle hotel ana after a short con-
sultation, organized by electing In
spectur Stein chairman. Al this june
ture they received word of the coming
of Attorney General Mccormick and
pending his arrival they refrained
from further action.
While this was going on at the hotel
the relatives of the entombcd men to-
gether with the surviving miners of the
Twin,were holding an impromptu meet
ing at the shaft. The outcome Of this
meeting was acommittee consisting of
Michael Kane, =. J. Hughes. John Car
den. John Williams, James Derrig.
Martin Tighe and Michael Lee, which
proceeded to the hotel and conferred
with the inspectors regarding the man
ner Of conducting the investigation.
At their solicitation the commission
agreed 10 have the proceedings con-
Quoted openly and to permit the miners
to have an attorney to represent them
if they saw fit. They gave notice that
they would have an attorney but as yet
have not decided whom they will en-
gage.
Attorney General Mccormick arrived
at ! o'clock, proceeding direct to the
shaft and telephoning the commission
to meet him there. Half an hour later
the three inspectors arrived at the shaft
and went into consultation with Mr..
Mccormick. The session, which lasted
about twenty minutes, was held in the
company's Office and was attended only
by the members of the commission.
MIR. MCORMICK'S STATEMENT.
When the conference was over Mr..
Mccormick gave out the statement that
they had agreed to first make personal
observations of the mine and then take
testimony. He states further that he
would be present throughout the pro-
ceedings, in the same capacity as the
inspectors, an officer of the state de-
partment assigned To secure informa-
tlon for the benefit of the common
wealth.
The attorney general returned to the
hotel and the inspectors went down the
mine. In the party which accompanied
them We're Mine Inspector Mcdonald,
Foreman w. q. Thomas, of the Alon-
quin: Fire Bosses McDermott and Nc
Cormack. James Langan. son of the
entombed superintendent; Baird Hal
berstradt. of the Colliery Engineer: p.
p. Mangan. OF the Wilkes Barre News
Dealer. and a representative of The
Tribune Nearly two hours We're spent
inside exploring the workings that are
onen and examining into the precau-
tions that have been taken for the pro-
lection of the rescuers. The members
of the commission piled Inspector Nc
| Donald and Foreman Mcmillan with all
kinds of questions and nosed about in a
manner which betOkencd that they
we're there on business and that they
| intended to transact it fearlessly and
| fairly.
JTpon returning to the surface the in
| spectors repaired to the Eagle hotel
where they again held a conference
with the attorney general after which
| the following official statement of the
| DAYS transactions was handed The
| Tribune reporter by Attorney General
| Mccormick:
Mine Inspectors Brennan, Stein and
| Roderick convened at the Twin shaft
mine at o'clock p. m. pursuant to the call
of the governor. Attorney General Nc
| Cormick was present and held consula-
| ton with the inspectors He advised
| them to investigate thoroughly the causes
| of the disaster. and If anyone was to
| blame to fix it where 1t belonged, oil
proper precautions having been used
| hen TO de;erHino whether any and what
| additional legislation could prevent such
| disasters in the future. The inspect ors
| then went into the mine and after their
| return determined to take such testimony
| as might be volunteered or called for by
| them on Thursday. July Q, at Pittston, at
| 1890 a. M, all hearings to be open to the
| public. The attorney general will be pres
ent at the meetings.
DETAILS NOT COMPLETED.
Just where the session of the com
mission will be held has not been de-
| cided upon but it is likely that they
will be in the council chamber The
| company has not decided as yet wheth-
| er or not it will be represented by
counsel at the taking of testimony. The
| attorney general returned to Harris
| burg at $50 but will be on hand Thurs
| day morning.
Today and tomorrow the commission
will busy itself continuing its personal
investigation in and about the mine.
studying the ropes and making tours
into the workings. incidentally the in
spectors will strive to hit upon some
more effective means of reaching the
,ntombed men. Many Of the questic--