Evening star., 1902-01-09
Condition Of Some of the More Seri-
ously Injured.
INVESTIGATING TIE ACCIDENT
District Attorney Promises to Fix
the Responsibility.
WILL PUNISH THE GUILTY

NEW YORK, January 9.-Thomas P
Murphy Of New Rochelle, whose legs were
broken, and who was badly hurt internally
passed quiet night In Bellevue Hos
pitai. His left leg, which was badly
crushed, will probably be amputated to-
day. f-4s
Albert Wadley, florist of this city.
with a home in New Rochelle, who had
both legs broken and who suffered inter-
nal injuries, was improving today.
Winfield Flute of New Rochelle trav-
cling salesman, whose right leg and left
thigh were broken, was reported today to
be in serious condition. 1t may be nee
essary to amputate one of his legs.
Everett Cooper. the fifteen-year-old boy
whose leg was broken and who was
burned, was improving today.
Albert w. Adams, a carriage manufac-
turer of this city, whose leg was cut off
above the knee and who was hurt on the
head. was worse today.
At the Grand Central station it was said
today that as the district attorney had
commenced an investigation to determine
the cause of and responsibility for the
wreck, the railroad officials had definitely
postponed their investigation, and would
present all the facts in their possession to
the county prosecutor.
President Cantor May Investigate.
Another investigation will probably be
made by President Cantor of the borough
of Manhattan. Mr.. Cantor said today:
Il will confer with the corporation coun-
sci regarding my authority over tunnels ex-
clusvely used by railroads I am not fully
satisfied as to my power in this matter. AS
there are Investigations being made by the
district attorney. the coroners and the
state railroad commission, l thought it best
TO find 9uthOrity before T aftemnfp ed
an investigation of my own.
My opinion is that if electricity had been
used by the railroad the accident would not
have happened.
II visited the scene Of the wreck at $50
O clock last night. 1 watched the trains
passing through the tunnel. The volumes
of smoke from the locomotives filled the
tunnel so that it was impossible to discern
the lights"
President Cantor looked up the charter
regarding the powers of the board of alder
men in the matter, and, after reading the
sections, said they were SO indefinite that
he could not give a clear opinion. He said
however, he thought there was no doubt
that the board had full power to regulate
the speed of trains within the city limits
District Attorney Jerome said he wished
his investigation to be as thorough pos
sible. and that he would confer with Coro-
ner Scholer to that, end.
Mr.. Jerome's Statement.
1T is possible said Mr.. Jerome, that
the engineer only was at fault. 1t is also
possible that the railroad company did not
provide the proper devices for the protec-
ton Of its patrons. No matter who is re-
sponsible he shall be punished"
In New Rochelle, where all but one of the
dead lived, business was almost entirely
suspended today.
OF those hurt twenty-nne lived in New
Rochelle, and numbers of their relatives
spent the night in New York near the hos
pitals. Today several of the bodies of the
dead were taken to New Rochelle. The
town was in mourning, and many persons
who had no relatives in the wreck made
visits to those who had suffered less and
offered sympathy and assistance.
The date for the inquest has not been
fixed, but it probably will be begun some
day next week.
/ The district attorneys inquiry was held
behind closed doors. Mr.. Jerome presided.
John Wischow, the engineer Of the White
Plains local, which ran into the South Nor
walk train, was said to be in state of al
most complete nervous collapse in prison
today. He refused to see any one