New-York tribune., 1907-03-27
RUMOR OF INDICTMENTS
N. Y. C. OFFICIALS.
True Bills May Be Found against
TzCO for Manslaugkter.

T1CO for Manslaugkter.
There was a report yesterday that the March
grand jury had decided to hand in indictments
against two high officials of the New York Cen
tral Railroad as a result Of the wreck OF
Harlem division train AT Woodlawn on FEBRUARY
Is. They are now. it is said, considering the
indictment OF third official This will be the
first time that any high official of the New York
Central has been indicted as the result or
wreck
There is a possibility. also that an indictment
may be returned against the New York Central
as corporation. but none of the directors are to
be indicted individually.
II has been generally understood that the
grand jury. which was sworn in by Judge Ro-
salsky on March T. was considering whether or
not II was justified in indicting any Of the ofh-
cials for manslaughter in the second degree
The wreck, which, according to the verdict OF
the coroner's jury. was caused by the pushing
out Of place Of one Of the rails by the impact OF
two heavy electric motors on the curved track,
resulted in the death OF twenty-four persons
About one hundred and fifty persons received
injuries
There was much talk in the Criminal Courts
Building yesterday that indictments would he
handed in to-day as result of the grand jury
inquiry. Assistant District Attorney Smyth,
who represented the people at the coroners
inquest. and Assistant District Attorney Per-
kins showed unusual activity in the prep
aration OF typewritten documents which 1t
was surmised. indictments. Mr.. Smyth
would not deny that they were engaged on that
work
The management Of the New York Central
firmly believes that there is no ground for in
dieting any of the officials. and counsel for the
road is preparing a vigorous defence.
In 1891 the twelve directors OF the New
York New Haven & Hartford Railroad were
indicted for a misdemeanor on account Of a
wreck that took place in the Park avenue tun-
mel at Seth street February 20. New
Haven local ran into a shop train bound for the
Mott Haven yards. Six persons were killed ana
eight injured The engineers Of both trains
were arrested. but the March grand jury in
dicted the directors on the ground that they
had not abandoned the use of stoves in their
cars. which was forbidden by a New York law
Among the indicted directors were Charles F.
Clark. the president; F. NJ. Reed. vice-presi-
dent: Chauncey NJ Depew and William Rocke-
feller After n trial in the Court Of oyer and
Terminer the defendants were acquitted
After the tunnel wreck Of January s, 1902.
where a Harlem local dashed into the rear OF
a New Haven local at Park avenue and 5sth
street, resulting in the death OK seventeen per-
sons and the injury of thirty-six. there was
much talk Of possible indictments against the
New York Central officials. II said that
John NJ. Wisker. the engineer. could not see the
signals plainly on account OF atmospheric con-
ditions in the tunnel. But the hue and cry sim
mered down End resulted merely IN tho indict-
Inent OF VVisker on a charge OF manslaughter.
There was also talk Of indicting some officials
when. IN September. 1882. Il cOmmuters' train
from Port Chester was telescoped by a special
from Tarrytown. In the tunnel. at s6th street.
but nothing came OF II.
The most recent wreck. that of the electric
train has probably received a more thorough
probing by the authorities than any for many
years This was because OF the fact that the
new system Of electric propulsion was believed
TO have had direct bearing on tho cause Of
the disaster In addition to tho investigation
by the coroner's jury. the State Railroad Com
mission has gone exhaustively into tho matter.
The latter has not yet made IT'S report
The coroner's jury IN its verdict reached tho
conclusion that the New York Central & Hud-
son River Railroad did not take all the neces-
sary safe and proper precautions to guard its
passengers at this point and consequently was
guilty Of culpable negligence. and that the re-
sponsibility for the existing conditions seems 10
be divided between the construction and oper-
atng departments"
Oh lhe rendering OF the verdict on March
Coroner Schwannecke said he would hold Presi-
dent Newman and the directors of the road.
The following day. however. he changed his
mind and consented TO let the question of the
culpability Of any particular official be consid-
cred by the grand Jury. The coroner certified
10 the grand jury that there was sufficient cause
to believe that the corporation was guilty OF
the crime Of manslaughter I'm the second degree.
The grand jury took up the investigation this
month with all the testimony that had been
taken before Coroner Schwannecke. Among
the officials who have appeared before some or
all OF the investigating bodies are President
Newman, Vice-President A. H. Smith, Vice
President w. J. Wilgus. Ira II. Mccormick
general superintendent Of tho electrical DIVISION
and others