New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-28
Interborough Thoughts or
Coroner Take 265 Pages
And No Poetry.
81" INQUEST PICTURE
IN LIFELIKE TINTS
Counter Charges Show
Everybody Guilty but
Road Heads.

The charges filed against Coroner
Patrick d. Riordan by President Thco-
dore p. Shonts and other officials OF
the lntcrborough Rapid Transit Com
pany. who were held responsible by
the Coroner's jury for the collision on
the a." at 1l6th st. and Eighth av,
make volume Of 265 pages.
The complainants arc Theodore p.
Shonts, president; Frank Hedley. gem
eral manager; Horace NJ. Fisher, sec
retary: Edwin Il. Bacon, August Bel
mont. Edward j. Berwind, Thomas De
Witt Cuyler. Andrew Freedman.
Charles b. Ludlow. W. L. repperman,
+. De C.. Sullivan, Cornelius Wander
bilt, Edwin $. Mastrom. directors.
The specifications of the charges
state that those named stand falsely
accused Of the crime of manslaughter
in the second degree "by reason OF the
wilful, malicious. corrupt and oppres-
sive acts and omissions hereinafter set
forth of one Patrick d. Riordan."
Accuses Newspapers.
They charge that Patrick D. Rior-
dan instituted and conducted the said
inquest or hearing under the color OF
ofieial authority; was advised. infu-
enced. led. intimdated and controlled
by certain newspapers and by the per
sons owning and concerned in the pub
fishing of the said newspapers; ac-
cepted. followed and was Influenced
and led BY the secret suggestions,
promptings and advice OF Herbert K.
Limburg. who, by reason of his rela-
tions TO and connections with the said
newspapers. was not a fit person so TO
advise
They 20 on that "Riordan obstructed
and nullfied the ofiica Investigation
and work Of the District Attorney; in
terrupted and prevented lawful eXam'-
nation of witnesses; by his acts and
speech and general demeanor was
guilty of gross discourtesy and insult
to the District Attorney and his assist
ants, who, TO preserve their due self
respect. were compelled to withdraw
from the presence Of the said Coro-
neT."
Further, it is charged that "Riordan
repeatedly attempted TO and did intimi-
date and cajole witnesses and distort
their testimony; instructed and
charged the jury falsely as to the law;
discharged and released the only per
sons against whom any possible evi-
dence of criminal responsibility fol
the said deaths has been made so fan
10 appear. and turned his said criminal
accusation and charge against persons
who were and are innocent of the said
crime, and who were shown by the
sworn evidence adduced upon and al
the said inquest or hearing to have
been innocent"
Disgraced Office.
The last count, the seventeenth
holds that Patrick ID. Riordan was
guilty of misconduct in his said office
as Coroner, in violation of his oath and
Of his official duties and obligations
and was and now is person utterly
incompetent and unfit to hold the
powers and perform the functions OF
his said office, to the great wrong, dis
grace and injury of all the said officer,
and directors. and to the great scandal
disgrace and injury Of the said office
and of the people of this state, anC
against their dignity"
Afiidavits in substantiatiOn of the
charges and complaint are also made
by Martin +. Burke. Lee VI. Hutchins
and j. Sherman Moulton. associated
with James /. Quackenbush, who
legally represented the lnterboro Ii
the inquest.
THE New York American and Jour
nal" it is charged, printed editorials
news articles and cartoons of highly
/ infammab,e, libellOus, indecent and re-
voting character" following tn,
/ wreck. Extracts Of the publication,
are appended TO the charges.
Conversations and acts Of repre-
sentatives of those newspapers are in
cluded. They are mentioned in con
nection with the contention of the com
/ plainants 70 show that the Coroner
sought to gain some political and per
sonal advantage land TO carry int,
effect his own private feelings and per
sonal views without any regaed 10 Law
or 10 the interest and welfare Of tn,
people or the administration of jus
tice."
Also included are the memorandum
presented by Mr.. Burke 20 the Coroner
the colloquy after Coroner Riordan
charge 10 the jury and the stenographi,
report OF the proceedings taken BY
Frederick A. Baker. official ste
nographer 10 the Board of Coroners.