New-York tribune., 1902-01-19
NAY NOT CALL WISKER.
SIGNIFICANCE OF JEROME'S OBJECTION
TO MOSS EXAMINING WITNESSES.
STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION POsTPONEs
ITS INQUIRY UNTIL THE CORoNER's
INQUEST IS FINISHED.

i-NQIESI IL FINISHED.
District Attorney Jerome said yesterday that
he was we'll satisfied with the progress made in
the coroners inquest 10 fix the responsibility for
the disaster Of January : in the Park-ave tun-
mel When the inquest was begun on Thursday
morning 1t was believed by Coroner Scholer and
Judge Jerome that It could be finished yester-
day, but they changed their minds on Friday.
and decided to have the inquest adjourned over
to tomorrow, with the purpose of bringing il
10 an end on Tuesday at the latest.
The State Railroad Commissioners had sent
out subp9nas for an investigation. which they
announced to begin at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
tomorrow morning. but in view Of the delay in
the coroners inquest they decided 70 put off
their investigation. Commissioners Cole and
Baker had a meeting yesterday morning at the
hotel, and announced postponement OF the in
vestigation until next Thursday morning They
said some of the witnesses they wanted would
be called at the coroner's inquest tomorrow.
These witnesses are officials and employees Of
the New-York Central and Hudson River Rail-
road Company.
District Attorney Jerome yesterday declined
TO say whether or not John NJ. Wisker the engi-
neer of the Harlem train that ran into the New
Haven train in the tunnel, would be called as
a witness in the inquest. His opposition TO per
mitting Wisker's counsel 10 ask questions at
the inquest has been taken as an indication
that Wisker viii not be called. because Wisker
is under SO 900 bail to await the action Of the
coToners jury. and is in the position OF a de-
fendant at the inquest If he were called 70
testify he would have the right TO the aid and
advice Of his counsel in answering questions.
The fact that the District Attorney has been
apparently determined to bring out in the in
quest all possible testimony 10 show that signals
cannot be seen by engineers IN the tunnel at
times on account Of the smoke and fog has
been taken indication that Wisker viii not
be held alone responsible for the tunnel dis
aster II is believed at the Criminal Courts
Building that the District Attorney is working
TO secure a verdict that will hold some railroad
officials responsible in part for the collision.
The officials Of the New-Ycr1 Central. in reply
10 those restive ones who want work started at
once upon the changes in the Park-ave. tunnel.
pointed out yesterday that much preliminary
work would have TO be done before anything
practical could be undertaken. In the frst place
II will be necessary TO secure from the state
Legislature the right 10 change from steam TO
electricity a motive power in the tunnel. In
the next place II will be necessary TO secure
rights and privileges from the city which VIII
enable the railroad company TO make use OF
the present site Of Park-ave. for railroad tracks
and 70 turn over 70 the city for street purposes
in place Of the Park-ave. thoroughfare so taken
the strip Of land seventy-hve feet wide on the
west side OF Park-ave extending from Forty
ninth-st 10 Fifty -sixth-st, recently acquired Dy
purchase.
The officials OF the New-York Central seen
yesterday said that this work could not be done
in a day. and pointed 20 the trouble and DELAY
n building the underground railroad now in
course Of construction IL this city and in erect
ing the New East River Bridge. They denounced
vehenentIy the charge that they We're PLAYING
for delay, and said that they would start as
practicable.
II was the knowledge that there would be Ce-
lay that led the board Of directors 10 make the
provision fl did in authorizing the Issuing or
$50 OIOOO0 OF new stock. One-haf OF this
amount. ST. 500 Oco IS 10 be issued at once, but
this has nothing 10 do with tunnel improve
ments Il is TO pay for the Indiana, Illinois and
Iowa Railroad known the Three rs re
Gently acquired. 70 buy new rolling stock, and
10 provide for other improvements The re-
mainde-. S17.JOO.OoO. Is 70 be applied TO tunnel
Improvement, but this Is withheld, and - 70 be
issued whenever the directors or officials OF the
road think necessary. Well informed officials Of
the Netv-York Central said yesterday chat II
would be al least two years-and more likely
fve-before the proposed change in the tunnel
could be effected.
Many things in connection with this improve
rnenr are as vet unsettled In the first place.
the system OF electrical propulsion TO be adopted
is yet undetermined. Tests of various systems
viii be made and when the time comes for equip
ment the most available VIII be adopted.
The plan OF building the underground loop
and station is also incomplete yet Certain other
property is yet TO be acquired. but II may be
stated IN a general way that the plan provides
for the use OF the present Park-ave- from Fifty
sixth-st. to FOrty-ninth ST. The I5-foOt strip
west OF the avenue between these streets IS TO
De conveyed to the city for a street n
place Of the part Of Park-ave. confscated- The
underground station Will be modern in every
particular. and have about six platforms, with
twelve tracks. A connection by means Of tun-
mel will be made with the underground railroad
building.