The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-05

facts might be essential, II not all-lm-
portant. TO the coroner who finds 10
the culpability of the car crew or OF any
one else. The quick clearing up OF the
wreck made Il impossible to get this evil
dence
"Of course. the testimony OF eyewlt-
nesses would be helpful I'm this determin-
alton; but when no warning could have
been given and the witnesses knew little
OF the cause until the car was on top OF
them. their evidence might not be so
strong as that of such mute witnesses as
the car itself and its position. as already
stated
THE law Is silent on the question
Of holding such vehicles, but it's spirit,
/ am sure, is that In any cases OF
carelessness that might amount TO
criminal negligence resulting in death.
the car, or any other real evidence.
ought not TO be removed without the
advice and consent OF the coroner.
The statute refers only to the dis
position OF the body; but IL is the
duty. believe. OF the public officials
to seize and to hold everything which
might be useful In determining the
cause OF the fatality and the respon-
sibility for it
1T isn't practicable 10 hold a car.
but II ought TO be under the control OF
the coroner. and the car at East
Providence ought TO have lain on it's
side until he and the medical examiner
could have had the opportunity ito
thoroughly examine II, always allow
ing for such interference as the die
tates OF humanity might require.
"If the car was finally taken away
TO a repair shop. no repairs should be
allowed on II until the coroner's in
vestigation, should one be deemed nee
essary. is completed.
To IN ~
dead under circumstances indicating
death by violence. Everything about
him that might have been instru-
mental I'm causing death Is taken by
the authorities; and this rule should
apply. so far as possible. TO electric
OF destruction.
1T is simply a matter OF fair treat
ment to the public; and the duty OF
securing this treatment rests upon the
public authorities. No Individual or
corporation has any right TO conceal.
hide or destroy anything that might
tend to show just how this accident
happened.
II understand that not a trace OF
the accident was left when the Rhode
Island company's employees left the
scene on Sunday morning"
When this view OF the matter was
called to the attention OF Howard
Br1RRS. assistant CldlDls agent OF the
Rhode Island company, he said TO the
representative of the News Democrat:
'Yes. | was present received mo-
tice OF the accident, procured a special
car and hurried to the scene. after mo-
tifying the wreckers TO get there as
soon as possible with their most pow
erful derricks and full crews.
II understood that there were people
under the car whom prompt action might
save. and | hurried there with that pur-
pose in mind. The wreckage was cleared
away as quickly as possible. but that is
the uniform custom. II was not done In
the interest OF my department at all, nor
did ] have that in mind. / understood
that the medical examiner had seen all
that he wished TO see of the car. He was
there when arrived
Another high official OF the company.
who did not care 10 have his name used,
said: THE idea that we were influenced
by mercenary considerations Is all ron
sense. 1t has been our practice for years,
and we are by no means exceptional I'm
the practice OF removing all obstructions
from the tracks or from the roadway. II
we are responsible for them, as soon as
we can possibly do so. This Is as much
i'm the public interest as IL Is I'm our own"
"The car could not have been left on
the highway in that position nor do
Continued on page Eight.