New-York tribune., 1903-03-02
TRUESDALE SUMMONED.
CTTY OFFICIALS ALSO.
Must Testify at Nescark Trolley
Inouesf-Methods of the Trust.


Among those summoned for this week wit
aesses at the inquest into the causes OF the
tragedy at the Clifton-Sve. grade crossing IN
Newark are public officials and railroad officers
They include President Truesdale. of the Lack
awann3 Railroed Company: David Dung, vice
president and general manager of the North
Jersey Street Railway Company: President Nor
ton. OF the Newark Police Board: President Gar
rison, Of the Newark Board of Works; Supertn-
tendent Powers OF the Morris Canal Company,
snd City Surveyor Ernest Adam
II is understood that the grand jury. acting
on the instructions OF Chief Justice Gummere.
will this week begin an investigation OF the
tragedy A public meeting mas been called OF
citizens of the Roseville section at the Roseville
Athletic Club. Wednesday night. to consider the
conditions of street railroad travel in that sec
ticn. The object is to fix the moral responsible
fly for the killing Of the high school pupils at
the CIifton-avc crossing and to arrange for
concerted action against public officials 9TH
ers who may be shown to have been negligent.
Not only does the North Jersey Street Rail-
way Company control great political and finan-
ciaI interests in Newark, which # uses for its
own advantage to the injury Of the average citi-
zen. but also. Newark men charge, it has per-
ceptibIe influence in legislative affairs. Further
than that prominent Newark lawyer declared
yesterday that the company's influence was
strong enough TO bring about the removal Of
Judges unfavorable to it. Other lawyers and
men close to the inner side Of Newark's life
knowledged this. deplorins IT, too.
Some years ago" said one, there was GER
lain Judge OF the Circui. Court here, before
which court come all cases or suits for dam
ages against the trolley company. This Judge
was undeniably honest, upright man, but he
made several decisions involving damages
ho b,{S
of oflce had expired It was known around town
that ne would not be reappointed, while 1t was
also openly said that the trolley interests had
demanded his removal That +. interesting to
show the extent to which they can go and the
power Of this mysterious influence.
After any trolley accident you can see the
conductor taking names of people who would be
witnesses favorable to the company. while the
poor victim, even If not killed or injured, is so
shocked that ne is unable to get evidence for
his side OF the case. This, yoE see. already
gives the trolley company the advantage of
numbers in witnesses, and II cases are to be
decided according to preponderance Of evil
dence the company will usually win"
How often do hear Of any punish
Fnent for the offences of the trolley companies?
After an accident the conductor or motorman
of the car may be arrested; but it is many years
since an Indictment has been found against
trolley interests.
Now in the case Of the Clifton-ave. wreck.
I believe that the officers of the company should
be indicted for nanslaughter, for two reasons
There is negligence IL a lawful act be done in
an unlawful manner. just as there is If an un-
lawful act be done, with all due respect to eau
ton and outward circumstances. 1t seems that
the trolley company was doubly negligent, both
because Of having the platform OF its car
crowded. which was unlawful, and in permit
III mkt
seems, were not taken.
.Tf there were TO be an election here to-rnor-
row. believe this trolley question would be the
paramount issue; it would take precedence Of
sIl party issues"
In that the speaker apparently expressed the
puI lie sentiment OF Newark. Although more
than week has passed since the Clifton-ave
wreck where nine high school pupils were killed,
the people, instead of dropping the subject,
continuing to discuss IT. now not bitterly,
angrily. at first. but earnestly. with de-
termination to have an accounting. These evils.
they say must be remedied. and they put
strong emphasis on the must Sweeping con-
demnation OF the trolley company and the city
officials is heard everywhere. Residents Of the
different sections are arranging meetings to ap
point representatives who shall protest and
formally demand a betterment of the traffic
ditions. When Newark people are asked how
grave, they explain, as The Tribune has shown,
the great power OF the trolley trust
Newark citizens are insstent that the respon-
Eibility for the accident which symbolizes their
accumulated grievances. be decided. Moses
Plaut, chairman OF the committee of the Board
OF Trade which stirred up the Board of Works
and presented a memorial to the grand Jury,
telling them.'' said Mr.. PIaut. Just what we
thought Of the accident and the causes which
had produced IT" said that now ''it was up to
the grand jury" I'VE have let up a little" he
continued, until see what action the grand
jury takes No steps to legal action have
been taken, but If the grand jury does not act
we will. Our committee is still standing"
Many interesting illusions TO the sources Of
the trolley company's influence are heard. One
from Newark business man. that when a
certain special counsel for a certain road wanted
q law passed IT passed quickly enough.
Another touched the close family relations
between certain stockholders and high State
officials. Another raised the question as to
how important. influential politician, always
supposed TO be connected with the trolley COM
pany, could live lavishly when he did not work
and had no known source of income. In this
connection, the statement made by well
known Newarker, that a former official now a
member of the grand jury had always been re-
ported to be connected with the trolley COM
Fe 80 f~En