Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-19
Others Unwarned.

~ the CultoE VI Lie LSehiiS Ctaf.
Referring to reports that have been made
in connection with the recent unfortunate
skating accident, to the effect that those
escaping had said they were forewarned of
the danger, and that written statements
were made by Miss Edna Riddleberger, c.
c. Clark and w. H. Young, all persons who
were rescued from the water, that they had
been repeatedly warned by Policemen Far
quhar and Bannigan to- keep away from
the place of the accident, but in their hurry
to reach home they went to 1t to get Off the
basin, I ask that you kindly publish, in
justice to the persons above referred to and
to the large number of other persons skat-
ing upon the basin at the time Of the
accident, a short explanation of the same
No written statement has heretofore been
made by the undersigned, and no state
ments whatever have at any time been
made by him In any way supporting or
bearing out the reports and published item
above quoted.
catastrophe" and they were not reckless,
daring and foolhardy 'in their hurry to
reach home and to get off the BASIN The
subscriber and many other skaters present
at the time with whom he mas conversed
state specifically and positively that they
were not warned Of danger at this place.
Why? Because there appeared no occasion
to fear danger or for such warning Dur
ing the entire afternoon several Thousand
had enjoyed the skating over ice which was
throughout in excellent condition and per-
fectly safe, and there had been no premo-
nitions Of danger whatsoever. The large
body of skaters were unwarned Of any
danger. Who would be more careful or
quick to take heed than skaters who know
the danger lurking in breaking or weak ice?
No such conditions existed. The river at
this point Is subject to rise and fall of
tide of several feet, and as a result Of this
last Wednesday the ice sheet Of the basin
the immediate shore line. This was moth
ing unusual. The same condition is present
at every freeze Of the basin, and has been
so for years. A short board or ladder was
in position spanning this narrow rim Of
weak ice at the snore, over which num-
bers of people were passing in safety to the
shore: Many others, including the under
signed. were strung out nearby, awaiting
their turn to cross. They knew of no dam
ger at this spot where they were standing,
which had no appearance of being other
than safe.
Suddenly. without warning, the board at
the shore gave way, throwing two men
into the water. Those awaiting an oppor-
tunity to cross naturally and involuntarily
but with an inherent thought of preserva-
ton, and the ice, subjected to this extra
and sudden strain, gave way, precipitating
about twenty or thirty into the water. 1t
was simply one of those unlooked-for and
deplorable accidents which could not be
foreseen and for which no blame attaches
to the police or the skaters.
All heartily join in bearing witness to and
expressing their appreciation of the capable
and efficient service of the police and their
efforts made in rescue work, but 1t is not
just or fair or correct to impute seeming
recklessness and negligence to the large
number of skaters present, who were I'M
aware and unwarned of this dangerous
place that may have been discovered upon
the ice
The editorials Of The Star on the subject
OF the disaster have been timely and per
tinent in suggestions for rendering the
basin and the whole ice surface safe and
oo1a
in tie future, and the proposition for eff
cient police control of skating grounds will
be welcomed by all lovers of this healthful
outdoor amusement.
BY LNE WHO WAS THEPE