New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-18

Before Coroner Berry Of The Bronx. I'm
animation he is making preliminary to the
formal inquest in the SIocum disaster. members
of the crew of the Inflated vessel and passengers
or he- last night gave most startling testimony
which tends to fix responsibility for the dreadful
loss of life on officers and members of the crew
OF the steamer and her owners Although the
stories conflict in some degree. Coroner Berry
considers them of the utmost Importance and
has issued many subppnas for other members
Of the crew and men familiar with the water
front and It's life. who may be able to give more
light or corroborate some OF the stories.
James Corcoran. the second mate of the
engineer Conkling. was not at his post at the
time of the fire. and was one of the first to
leave the vessel The fire started far forward
in room used FOR storing oils. the second
mat= said. Just before the fire alarm sounded
he saw negro porter whose work was TO fill
the boat lamps, rush out of the oilroom with a
scared look on his face. Corcoran said he
thought nothing Of it at the time. but afterward
wondered what the man had done In there.
The mate declared that ono reason for the
rapid gain Of the flames was a false washer in
one of the standpipes. The object of the fnser
tioH Of the false washer was to protect the can
vas hose by preventing the water from drinninr
into the hose. The delay was caused by having
10 take off the nozzle of the pipe take out the
washer and put on the nozzle again
IIaur, 7 ,r-,II,aro
to the Coroner's office with his lawyer in re-
sponse TO a subpoena. but refused to answer
questions on the ground that the answers might
tend to incriminate him.
Because of dispute over the price TO be
paid the Merritt & Chapman wrecking Com
pany for raising the wrecked General SIocum
the city authorities have taken the situation in
hand have ordered that the wreck be raised
at once to recover the bodies supposed to be
therein. and have turned it over TO the Police
Department for safekeeping in the mean time
Valuable evidence for a criminal prosecution is
expected from the condition of the safety ap-
pllances. Having taken charge of the hulk. the
city viii probably have TO pay whatever the
wrecking company wants 20 charge for the job
and may become involved in complications with
the marine insurance companies. to which the
Socum had been turned by the Knicker-
booker Steamboat Company These companies
have refused to pay the price demanded by the
Merritt & Chapman company. declaring II ex-
cessive. There viii be a conference this MORN
ing, at which Mayor Mcclellan. District Attor-
ncy Jerome and Police Commissioner McAdoo
will be present. this three sided controversy
Tie Knickerbocker Steamboat Company had
insured the General SIocum in various com
panies 70: a total of about STO,OJO Thinking
that the vessel utter wreck and the
salvage from her would not he worth while the
company decided 10 turn her over 10 these COM
panies at once, and accept the insurance money
in full of all claims. The companies accepted
this arrangement. Yesterday afternoon their
representatives held a meeting with a repre-
sentative of the wreckng company to decide
what should be done toward raising the steamer
Ten thousand dollars" said the wrecker
Too much: well give 5000" said the in