New-York tribune., 1905-01-09
BRIDGE DEFECT, He SAYS.
Structure Overloaded, Master Me-
chanic Says-Injured Doing VEL

All the victims of Saturday nights accident
nj the Metropolitan Opera House were reported
to be improving yesterday. Most of them were
| able to return TO their homes. and the manage
ment OF the Opera House said last night that il
was expected that every injured member of the
chorus with two exceptions, would be able TO
report for duty again next Thursday. This op-
timlstic announcement. however, could not be
confirmed at the hospitals, where II was said
that most OF the patients, although well enough
10 return to their homes, would bear sprans,
abrasions or bruises for some days to come.
Wanda Adamski who was reported to be prob
ably fatally injured. was yesterday found to be
not so badly hurt as was at first supposed. She
IS at Roosevelt Hospital, suffering from an in
Jured hip and several abrasions.
Natal CoruegIi is at New York Hospital. with
a compound fracture OF both legs. G. Maniani
and D. Deccitti are at Bellevue suffering from
sprains and bruises.
Heinrich Conried. director of the Opera House,
spent yesterday visiting the hospitals and the
homes of those who had been slightly injured
or scared Mr. Conried assured all the injured
that every provision would be made for them,
and that their places would be kept open for
them until they were fully recovered. Mr.. Con-
ried said he had not been able to close his
eyes throughout the preceding night, so COM
shock of what did happen. but by the thought
OF what might have happened
His face was white and drawn last night.
Many people at the opera House shook hands
with him in the lobby and congratulated him
that the accident had not resulted more serious
ly. He received kilograms conveying similar
congratulations from all over the country yes
terday. many Of them from persons OF promi-
nence.
Many of the principals of Saturday nights
cast were also completely unstrung yesterday.
Mines Ackte and Arnaud were almost Frustrated
by shock and Herr Dippel was unstrung. Medi-
cal attention and visits from Mr.. Conried
soothed them. however. and they were all feel
ing better last night.
A curious feature of Saturday nights accident
the fact that, according to Mr.. Conried, it
actually predicted by woman who had
dream that there would be panic at the Opera
House Saturday. 1t this very woman
who caused the scare at Saturday afternoons
performance OF "Lohengrin' told in yester-
days Tribune With her vivid dream in mind.
she mistook the futter OF a curtain for flames
and cried Fire." causing many people to leave
their seats.
The name OF the woman could not be learned,
but after the ushers had calmed her Saturday
afternoon she told them Of her dream and of
her conviction that accident bound TO
befall the house that day
1t the most extraordinary case of
countered." said Mr. Conred last night
As usual in such cases, several Ambulance
chasing" legal practitioners visited the various
hospitals yesterday In an effort TO persuade the
injured persons TO bring heavy damage suits
against the Opera House company. with, of
course, the gentle hint thrown In that they were
perfectly willing to conduct the cases. None
Of these were allowed tc get TO the bedsides OF
patients to communicate with them,
When asked last night whether he appre,
hended the possibilities of damage suits. Mr..
COnried said: NO, l do not We treat our
people well and they realize it. We looking
out for the needs and comforts of all those IN
jursd. l am sure none OF them will sue"
Asked II he had made any further investiga-
ton to the cause Of the accident Mr.. Con-
ried said:
Yes. l have examined the pieces Of the
bridge very carefully. l am convinced that the
with the iron bolt which fastened the end Of
the bridge. There must have been defect IN
the metal OF course. could not foresee this.
The blame is with the man who forged that
bolt am positive there was no carelessness
on the part OF our carpenter. That theory Of
the bridge king down because of the ryth-
mic step OF the soldiers is absurd. The bridge
has been put in our storehouse. OF course, we
shall use another at the next performance cf
Carmen
Mr.. Conrled complained Of the action OF the
police reserves who were summoned after the
accident. They rushed through the stage II
trance and wanted 70 rush out upon the stage,
he said. Il just able to stop them In time.
If the audience had caught sight Of those blue
coats on the boards l tremble to think what
might have happened"
Harry Palmer the master mechanic. who was
arrested on Saturday night arrsigned in
the jefferson Market Police Court yesterday
a charge of criminal negligence and paroled
by Magistrate Ommen until Tuesday after
noon the custody of his counsel, Bainbridge
Colby. Palmer arrested Saturday night after
the accident by Policeman FOice, of the theatre
squad
Palmer when asked 10 explain the cause OF the
accident, refused 10 do at first. but later.
he leaving the courtroom. made brief state
ment at the suggestion OF his counsel.
The cause of the accident Palmer said. was
not due 10 neglect on my part or due TO the neglect
Of my assistants but l believe dua TO the over
loading OF the bridge. Under ordinary circum-
stances. the bridge strong enough TO hold ali
those supposed to use It. but last night there
extra soldiers crossing II, and instead of changing
tn rhythm Of the step they kept a steady gait
and 4 result the bridge gave way"