New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-19
SEEKS CAUSE OF WRECK
CORONER STILL IN DARK.
Railroad Commissioners Foded-
Dead Noe Number Tzuenty-One.


Another victim Of the Central wreck of satur-
day night died yesterday, bringing the number
OF deaths to twenty-one. Three more all In
Fordham Hospital are likely to die The latest
death was that of Ernest Knoll. n young Wild
over OF Mount Kisco. Coroner Macdonald was
summoned to take his ante e-mortem statement.
but did not reach the hospital IN time.
The three who likely to die are Miss Mabel
Smith, OF Oneonta; Miss Ella Snifren, of Engle-
wood. y. j.. and Miss Arabeua Fowler OF
Pleasantville. There are six other patients left
in Fordham and two others in Lebanon Hos
pital, all OF whom probably VIII recover
The inquest the disaster was started yes
terday by Coroner Schwannecke. at the Bronx
Coroner's Office. This was followed by a trip to
tho scene of the disaster by the Coroner's jury.
representatives OF the District Attorneys office
and railroad officials. No progress made.
The State Railroad Commissioners. at the spe-
cal order OF the Governor. also visited the scene
Of the wreck after which they had luncheon at
the Murray Hin Hotel. and then departed for
Albany. 1t is not believed that they reached
any official decision. either.
TESTIMONY BEFORE CORONER
Coroner Schwannecke started to take te,,i-
mony about noon. and after listening to J. NJ
Haviland. a salesman living in White Plains
who was a passenger. called Ira A. Mccormick
superintendent OF the Harlem Division Hts
most important testimony was that relating TO
the speed OF the train and tho weight ot the
two motors. As alternative to tho theory
that the last car whipped of the track by
the centrifugal force OF the train swinging
around the curve at too high a speed, It has
been suggested that the rails spread beneath
the weight OF the motors. In describing the
electric locomotives Mr.. Mccormick said
locp,pOttye Is fbfrty-Savep nd
weighs nnety-six tons. They have four driving
wheels on each side and two trailers The old
type OF steam locomotive is from seventy to
eighty feet long and Glass ! locomotives weigh
164 tons
NO change was made in the track for the IN
stalling Of the electrical service except TO
change the eighty-pound rails for one hundred
pound rails. No change was made in the tilt Of
the track at which this accident occurred at
that time. We have a standard elevation for
track that curves which always Is maintained
This elevation varies with the sharpness Of the
curve, the weight and speed of the trains. etc
Our engineer reports that the curve where this
accident occurred is mathematically correct.
The curve is what is known three degree
curve"
RUNNING TIME A MILE A MINUTE.
Concerning the speed Of the train Mr. Nc
leave the Grand Central Station at 613 o'clock
and was due at Wakefield at 6.3S O'Clock the
running time thus being 12:6G miles in twenty
five minutes. The train due 10 pass the
Bronx Park station at 6:35 o'clock. and the
WiIliamsbridge station. .96 mile further north.
at 6:36 o'clock. making the running time practi-
cally a mile a minute at the point Of the dis
aster.
Mr. Mccormick said that to the best of his
knowledge the accident occurred either at 644
or 6:4I o'clock. He reached the scene Of the
wreck al about $40 o'clock, having frst been
Informed of the disaster at about 7:20 o'clock
In replies to questions by the Assistant District
Attorney, Mr.. Mccormick said that he found
the electric locomotives about three hundred
yards beyond the Woodlavn Road Bridge at
2Olst street. He then described the torn-up
tracks. In examining the locomotives and the
cars he said that he found all but one OF the
wheels Of the first motor on the track. while
only one small wheel of the second motor had
clung to the irons. The first truck OF the smoker
was off the track. having been torn loose from
the car. The rest OF the train lay toppled over
on its side. Only in small place did he see
any evidence OF fire.
did you see any indication along the track
to show where the had first tipped over?"
asked Mr. Smyth.
Il did not"
Did you any evidences as to how far
the cars had been dragged"
II did not, except in the case of the first car.
1t showed where it had been dragged some feet.
There was not so much To be seen regarding the
second car"
RAIL NOT BROKEN
Coroner Schwannecke then asked whether the
eastern side of the westerly rail bore any marks.
Mr. Mccormick answered that the rails had
been showed out, and what is known a Web
Der Joint had been pulled over about an inch
from its proper position. The rail- he said had
not been broken, SO far he could see
had IL heen bent.
The witness then explained how the rails are
Confined 1ftb pagr.
sHoRTEsT--c QUICKEST FLORIDA ROUTE
Is Seatoard Air Line through Piueh1Ist, Camden
Columbia Jackaonyills. ofioA. LIES B'way.->Aayt