New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-12
M|LU0NA|RES TESTIFY
IN "L' CRASH INQUEST
Vanderbilt. Belmont, ShontS,
Berwind and Freedman Ex-
plain Conditions on Sd Ave.
WRECKED CAR BUILT 1873
Jrrv Clears Motorman of Blame
for Death of Patrolman Glea-
son - Road Safest in
Country, Says Hedley.

rho fact that some wooden cars have
i,,n used ON tho elevated railroads since
SIS was brought out yesterday at tho
rcr,rers inquest into the death of Pa
.roi,aan John NJ Gleason. who was
rurnc3 to death on January - in q rear
md collision ON tho Third avenue elevated
railroad AZ ed street
IN spite Of tho ancient rolling stock and
thc fact that there was no system ~ sig
nails ON tho straight main line OF the road.
Frank Hedlcy. vice president and general
manager of the Third avenue elevated
road said he regarded tho road as the
safest I'm the world
These and other facts were brought ont
Yesterday when Mr.. Hedlev. Theodore i
Shonts. August Belmont. Cornelius Van
derbnt. E. J. Berwind. Andrew Freed
man and other officials Of the Interior
ouch company were examined by Coroner
Feinberg.
Hedlcy was the principal witness at the
morning session. He explained 10 the
Jury tho general working Of the system.
Tho motormen. he said. were required 10
PASS severe examination. and before
they were permitted TO operate a passen-
ger train their ability was tested on
empty cars. \ book Of rules governs
their conduct. Mr.. Hedley swore that ne
had report showing there was a signal
10 the motorman by trackman on the
day Of the wreck.
After listening 10 evidence from other
witnesses the jury retired at 1907 D. m.
and returned in just forty-one minutes
They exonerated Michael Hern. motor
man Of the train. OF all blame and found
the accident was unavoidable. Coroner
Feinbers. after discharGine the motorman
on the Gleason arraignment. paroled him
IN the custody of his counsel until Coro-
ner shongut. Of The Bronx. should desire
his presence in regard TO the death OF
Mary Lancer. of No. 1866 Washington ave-
nue., who died as a result Of the injuries
she sustained in the wreck.
Manager Hedley was asked by the
Coroner what had been done by the Inter-
borough directors 10 displace wooden cars
on the elevated system
Nothing" said Mr.. Hedlev. We never
considered 1t necessary. Wooden cars are
NS'l n Gnuauc pild, bOSNOn, Cl4iCdSt anu
Kansas City"
His company had considered a block
system. said the general manager. but
no. had advised against it.
Why" asked Coroner Fenoerg.
because" was the reply, eft would Re
hardship on the public OF this great
atr We could no. run nearly as many
,,a'us as is necessary TO move the mass
NJ business" The witness added that the
Elevated roads were now carrying 10000
passengers day. while they had only
t.ou designed 10 carry 5000
So. Shonts. president Of the INTERIOR
o'-n after being called and told his testi-
uo1y might 10 used against him later
.os the stand He said he did not be-
l-ta any cars would be safe In a coll
.e.r0 on the elevated road.
tndrcw Freedman testified II had never
been called 10 his attention that condi-
tons on the Third avenue road were
dangerous. Cornelius Vanderbilt and Au-
gust Belmont testified in similar vein