New-York tribune., 1911-12-13
INSIST DOOR WAS LOCKED
Defence Fails to Shake Evidence
of Girls in Triangle Case.
ONE WITNESS IN TEARS
Slide for Life Down Elevator
Cable Until Consciousness
Failed 1s Described.

The trial OF Isaac Harris and Max Blanck
vas occupied in General Sessions yester-
day with the cross-examination Of young
girl witnesses by the counsel for the de-
fence, Max Steuer
All the witnesses Rad testified that the
Washington Place door was locked Sew
eral, in reply 10 steuer's questions, swore
that the door was not opened in ~ least
three and one-half years.
One girl said that IN getting out OF the
fre trap by way of the fire escape, she had
TO climb on table Uttered high with cloth
and books Others testified that they never
knew there was a door or the Washington
Place side Of the loft until the FIRE.
Celia Walker, a very pretty brunette Of
eighteen years, gave way 10 her over
wrought feelings during her crcss-e1arina-
ton and cried
She was an examiner on the ninth foor
OF the Triangle Waist Companys plant
When she heard the cry OF fire she ran TO
the Greene street elevators, but found
the entrance crowded with her fellow
Ikers struggling 10 escape. She Jumped
on q table, the floor being then a sheet OF
flame, and leaped from tabls TO table until
shs got 70 the Washington Place door.
She found Il locked. One man trtsd SO
hard to open the door that he cracked the
glass IN q
The elevator vas so crowded that there
rss no room for me-" she said. 7 rang
and rang, but IT did not come UP again.
The door Of the shaft was open. looked
down Tbs elevator was az tbs bottom !
jumped and caught the cables, and slid
down When was passing The hfth floor
I saw the number "5" on the wall; some
thing struck me. became unconscic us,
ard 7 remember no more"
Several girls escaped with their lives by
sliding down the cables, and one of these.
who jumped after Miss Walker, struck her
on the head
Alr Steuer tried to discredit her story Of
Jumping from table TO table.
Were your skirts as tight then ss nowf'
he asked, observing her clinging hobbl.
skirt
NO" she answered
Her voice was so low at times that fre-
quently Judge Grain and Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Bostwick asked her to speak
louder. Finally the court asked her some
he heard She burst into tears and sobs
shook her frail body. When she stopped
wipng her eyes she was so unnerved that
for time she said. in response 20 Mr..
Steuers questions; 7 don't know whA,
| you mean"
On the redirect examination she identl-
fled several fragments Of translucent glass
rs having been in the locked door.
Lillian Weiner, Of No. 33s South 3d street,
BROOKLYN. said she worked near Miss Walk
er
When l saw the girls trying 70 get out,
she continued, Il ran 70 2 Washingt IN
Place window was going 70 jump. but
the flames coming out Of the windows
below frightened me, and I didn't I then
ran 10 the Greene street elevator and fell
IN lot of other girls fell on top Of ne.
on cross examination she said that when
the IRE started and she might have es-
caped by the Washington Place elevator
she remembered that the girls were no'
permitted TO use that lift. and her fear OF
, lncurring the displeasure Of her employers
sent her TO the other elevator.
Only the bosses and foreladles were al
lowed on that elevator" she added.
Rose Mayors OF No. 2s5 Rivington street,
testified that she often saw boxes piled in
front OF the Washington Place door
Isn't II fact that the Washington Place
door stood wide open from the time the
porter opened II IN the morning until tne
place was closed for the night asked Mr..
SteueT
No" said the Uitness
Didn't the forelady q down h. the
Washington Place door six and seven times
day?" he shouted.
mo. She always vent down oy the
Greene street door. The Washington Place