New-York tribune., 1902-02-14
EXPLOSION INDICTMENTS
GRAND JURY CHARGES SHALER AND
THE SUBWAY WORKERS WITH
MANSLAUGHTER.
MANSLAUGHTER.

Seven persons indicted by the grand
jury yesterday on account of the explosion OF
dynamite which killed six persons, injured near
- q hundred and blew windows out Of many
buildings in Park-ave.. near Fortylfrst-st.,
January -. -Four OF the seven were indicted
foT mansaughter in the first degree. They are
Major Ira A ShaIer the sub-contractor for that
section of the rapid transit subway in Park
ave. from Thirty-fourth-st. TO Forty -second-st.;
Err est q. Matheson his engineer and superin-
tendent. who was in charge of the work at the
time Of the explosion; Joseph Bracken. a fore
man, and Moses Epps, the coored man, who was
in charge of the powder house where the dyna-
mite stored in front Of the Murray Hill
Hotel The four were indicted also for illegal
storage OF dynamite misdemeanor and the
same indictment found against Charles f.
Frazer another engineer and superintendent in
the employ of Major shaler. who away at
the time OF the explosion. George Z. Murray,
the chief inspector of the Bureau of Combusti
bles, and Edward Smith. an inspector of the
bureau were indicted for criminal negligence in
permitting the illegal storage of dynamite.
When the indictments were presented yestsr-
day afternoon in the Court of General Sessions
Judge Cowing fixed bail 81 000 each for Major
Shaler. Matheson. BTacken and Epps, on
count Of the charge OF manslaughter, and $1,000
each for Frazer Murray and Smith. charged
WIFI nNSuelnednOIS. vernon NJ. laws, SOunSel
for the sub-contractor and his men, in
court when the indictments announced.
and his clients soon appeared. Major shaler
gave bail Immediately, DR.. Louis l.. Seaman, of
No. IS West Thirty -hrst-st., becoming his
bondsnan and giving the house in Thirty-frst-
st. security. Matheson. Frazer, Bracken and
Epps were paroled in the custody of Mr.. Davis
until to-day, when they will give bail.
Murray and Smith. who public officers.
not arrested yesterday, but warrants for
their arrest were placed in the hands of De
tective Sergeant Cuff 1t understood that
they would be in court to-day to give bail AS
chief inspector Of the Bureau of Combustibles,
Murray is held responsible for failure to see
that the sub-ccntractor did not store more dyna-
mite at the powder house in Park-ave. than his
permit called for. Inspector Smith was sup
posed TO make daily inspections of the powder
houses along the line of the subway.
AT the meeting of the Board of Rapid Transit
Commissioners yesterday afternoon Chief Engi-
neer Parsons submitted report on the storage
and handling of explosives in the city. In part
il follows:
There are at present being used in the city
about sixty tons of dynamite month. OF this
largest single consumer. nevertheless the amount
used in 9EdnaTy 6 56n is noTh Of
Twelfth-st. involve the use Of explosives -.
charter and by the Fire Commissioner relating TO
the use Of explosives. but these regulations are
wholly Inadequate. and the result of old laws
and old regulations wh ch have never been sub
jected modern scientific analysis
] would therefore suggest 20 the board that a
commission of five experts be appointed by the
proper authorities study this question OF
plosives and to draw uD the proper regulations
of the same On such commission the Fire De-
partment and both manufacturers and users could
he represented. and # also might be well that
of these five be lawyer-poSsibly representative
of the Corporation Counsels of1ee-so that the
regulations. when drawn, would be in the form of
ordinances. or If necessary. in the form of bill
TO be presented at this session of the Legislature
Fire Commissioner Sturgis present at the
meeting by invitation of President Orr, and took
part in the discussion which followed. 1t
decided to refer the subject TO the Mayor with
power to appoint the committee suggested.
The regular requisition for January re-
ported at 1927 COG. Joln B. Mcdonald said that
sections Of the tunrel between Sixtieth and Six
ty-foUrth SITS. Eighty second and Eighty-f1fth
sts., and Eighty-seventh and Eighty-ninth SITS.
were completed. and that trees would be re-
placed on them within two months.
Mr.. Shepard and Mr.. BOardman expect to
complete a rough draft for the contract of the
Brooklyn tunnel within two weeks.