New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-21

| ings from the Jury box sent the attorneys off
| on a tack which brought out important testi-
mony.
The first stir called by the exhibition of
bills for life preservers IN which an attempt
had been made 10 rub out the name of the
steamer Grand Republic. The bill was among
those presented by Frank A. Barnaby president
or the Knickerbocker Steamboat Company
which owns the General SIocum, as evidence
that the company had kept up the equipment
Of the steamer He said in explanation that the
erasure had probably been attempted by
bookkeeper.
Three members Of the We're put on the
witness stand at the afternoon session. These
were John J. Ccakley and James Corcoran,
deckhands, and Flanagan. the mate They
showed by their testimony that they were
clearly on the defensive.
The questions of the examiners were particu-
larry directed to finding out just what had been
done toward fighting the flames after the alarm
had been given; then, whether not the life
preservers appeared TO he in good condition.
When one of the deckhands was testifying
about the failure have the fire drill which
The regulations require, Of the in
black. who also wore bandages. muttered:
'Of course they had 10 fire drill they let
burn"
Coroner Berry presided at the inquest alone
Coroner O'Gorman is still engaged in the
work OF recovering bodies at North Erother
island. The federal authorities We're represented
by Assistant United States District Attorney
Henry A. Wise. Terrence McManus. of BLACK
Olcott, Gruber & I5onynge, represented the own
ers of the vessel with ex-Judge Dittenhoefer
personal representative of President Barnaby.
On behalf Of the Chdrens Society, It's president,
J. ID. Lindsay. watched the proceedings. Mr.
Uhler head Of the United States bureau of
Steamboat Inspection, and mis- assistant, a. S
Rode, were within the rail. but took part
in the inquest. They will hold a separate in
vesrigation for the government later. Deputy
Commissioner T. ". Churchill and Hire Marshal
Peter Seery represented the Nev-York Fire
Department.
Mr. Barnaby the first witness called:
MR.. BARNABY's EXAMINATION.
Q.-How old is the Grand Republic? About
Siocurn was built in Brooklvn. CAPTAIN John Pease
OF the San6 & & aca had 9l e on e 6ee
were in charge OF Captain Van Schaick His in
Sefe hnder aS the
Did captain Pease make reports OF tho money
he expended? Ale o. KID the bills which
reached us by mall and and We paid them ~
DID captain Van schaicki? A., No
some bonds or stock n the Knickerbocker com
o.Ewas any report made to YOU about the con-
dition OF the slocum before she was put in COM
mission this year? Am inspection was made by
the United States authorities on application Of
Captain Pease for the company.
o.-was any specific report made to you about
the life preseryers Hfeboats? Alt
ported to US that the Slocum In thorough
good order and working condition.
O-rId Won make a personal inspection OF the
boatP Al did not. but examined the report
OF our own inspection and of the United States
Inspection officers.
o. find here FIVE bills for life preservers dated
in different months 1902. 1909 and 1904 Were all
these life preservers for the Geneal slocum? Al
believe -
Republic scratched out? Al don't know. sup
nose the bookkeeper must have done that. Our
books yUhere the accounts kept separate will
sbow What sunplies went to the Slocum and what
went 10 the Grand Republic.
Q.-Your ledgers will show how many life pre-
bI,,lt in 1891, Al don't know that have the
Continuod on hSth paga