New-York tribune., 1903-01-29

Official inquiry into the cause Of the collision
on the Jersey Central Railroad near Westdeid'
n. J., was begun yesterday. Coroner BOISE
Bunting of Eliza BETH empanelled jury OF six,
headed by ex-Mayor Fisk OF PlatnheId, presl
dent of the Board of Health, which formally
viewed one body, that of John Currid. then ad-
iour1ed subject to the call of the coroner. AT
Elizabeth Nicholas J. English. county prose-
cutor directed County Physician Wescott 10
rush the inquest The grand jury is at present
in session. 1t was to report to the court to-day
and then was to be dismissed; instead 1t VIII De
held in recess until the inquest has peen endeu'
so that the evidence taken before the coroner
can be submitted to it.
Prosecutor English said yesterday:
'If the Philadelphia and Reading or the cen
traI of New-Jersey has violated the law IN re-
gard TO heating its cars or in any other way, or
is in any way responsible for the awful loss OF
life and the injuries to passengers last night IL
will be dealt with the law directs VIII
make a rieid examination. My detectives are
working with the Plainfield police to enable US
10 place the responsibility where it belongs
Mavor Jenkins of Plainfield said that the
question Of liking the responsibility was Tor the
county and State officials. He had not con-
suited the County Physician. the coroner or the
County Prosecutor There was considerable
talk of an indignation meeting by the citizens
course; he was ratl-er inclined to let events
shane themselves The Town Council will meet
on Tuesday night but the Mayor could not say
vi ether or net any action regarding the acel-
dent would be taken. He said that the catas-
trophe was most deplorable. and one which az
fected the entire city.
DAVIS RETICENT WITH OFFICIALS
Davis. the dying engineer of the Philadelphia
hn could Sne0
on the accident and he refused to explain TO
county officials yesterday. Early in the day ne
was visited by officials of the railroad Later
when the County Physician examined MIN III
regard to the signals ne would make no reply
saying that 'he was unable to think Reports
were in circulation that the officials OF MuhIeh-
berg Hospital interfering with the cohec
tio, Of evidence Charles Fisk, president of the
hospital ard the Board of Health, heard thesei
and seeking an interview with Dr. WestcoIt'
asked that they be denied. DR.. Westcott salu
that the reports we're untrue; that he had re-
coived every courtesy from the hospital au-
thorities but added:
when / saw Davis too day he was conscious
tIa was able TO tell the incidents of the trip
from, Jersey City to the point of the accident
He remembered that he minute and
half !: te at Elizabeth and that he was running
at full sreed to. make up the time l have seen
Mccarthy, the fireman, whose story agrees per
fectly with Daviss. When come to ask ABOUT
the signals Davis gets out of 1t very nicely py
saving that he can't think. 1t seems peculiar
but it certainly is very convenient for him 10
forget these incidents. when he has shown that
his memory is clear.
Icbn L Large. claim agent for the Central
Railroad who was present at the interview
said that he had sent railroad physician up
he
nize him.
Mrs Davis wife of the engineer, and his two
brothers and their wives. visited him yesterday
With mis- brothers he was not so taciturn FROM
one OF them II was learned that the dying man
blamed railroad metfDds for the accident He
said according to the brother. that if the Easton
train had been sidetracked at Crawford. as 1t
usually was the accident would not have Oc-
currsd He was running. he admitted. at top
speed to make up his lost time He saw the
signals. and ran up to his block. just he had
done hundreds of times. expecting to see the
white light turned on. Instead, before he could
hmm even. his engine ploughing into the
I,os+on train This account agrees with the
story of the Westfeld policeman, Lurch. VINO, as
he was taking Davis from the wreck. heard him
gasp that he had disregarded the signals. ex-
Meeting to see them favorable.
CR1TICIsE THE RAILROAD COMPANY.
The sentiment in Plainfeld yesterday was un-
favorable to- the railroad company Many
pointed out as significant the fact that John +.
Large, chief claim agent formerly the head
of the railroad detectives. with two railroad
detectives BarcaIow and Dougherty, was at
THE EVERYDAY TRAIN TO CALIFORNIA
The electric lighted Overland Limited. ISaves caves
chicago 500 p NJ via Chicago and NoTth- W vest
ern Union Pacific and Southern Paelne railways