The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-09
RIORDAN ANSWERS
SH0NTS CHARGES
True Purpose to lntimidate
Grand Jury, Asserts
Coroner.
ATTACKS ROADS LAWYER

Arr,SY. Feb. s-Coroner Patrick n.
plordan Of New York filed with Gov.
whitman to-day his answer to the
charrcs made against him by Theodore
= Shonts, president Of tho Inter-
borough Rapid Transit Company, and
by the other officials OF that line grow
ing out Of the Coroncrs jury's verdict
against marlborough officials as re-
sul, Of the fatal elevated railroad ac-
cdent AT 10th street and Eighth ave-
nue. on December . last
Coroner Riordan denies in most in
stances the charges made against him
and alleges that their purpose at the
present time Is TO dissuade the Grand
Jury from investigating the charges
made by the Coroner's jury and also to
intmidate him from prosecuting an in
uuiry into the short circuit in the sub
way some weeks ago that caused the
death Of one person.
The documents laid before GOV Whit
man by Mr. Shonts and his associate
accused Riordan Of falsely and malt
ciously causing the Interborough di-
rectors to he arrested for manslaughter
committing acts In perversion OF the law
neglecting TO perform his official duty
and demonstrating utter incompetence to
hold the Office OF Coroner
Inquiry Full and Free
Coroner Rlordan. in his answer, points
out that he was elected to his Office by
tho vote OF the people OF Manhattan
and that at the time OF his election il
was known that he was a physician and
not a lawyer. lie tells Of the collision
on the elevated and of his investigation
into the causes. He says he accorded to
counsel for the Interhorough and also to
the District Attorneys office full and
free opportunity 60 examine every wit
ness. to object to any question that was
put and to call such other and addi-
tonal witnesses as they desired"
As a result of the inquiry, he says,
a Coroners jury returned verdict Of
manslaughter in the second degree
against the officials OF the InterborouEh
that this verdict was warranted by the
law and the evidence and was in all re-
spects just and proper"
He then says that the charges are
not made in good faith. but are made
for the purpose OF influencing the Grand
Jury OF New York county, who are
about to consider the charge Of man
slaughter against the complainants here
in and to influence the District Attor-
ney and to hinder and delay and i'm
properly influence the Grand Jury and
the District Attorney In the discharge
OF their public duties"
Accuses Roads LAWYERS.
He alleges further that the Rapit
Transit Company "and It's attorneys
during the progress of the investigation
and in the presence OF the jury threat
ened and attempted to intimidate III,
respondent tthc Coroner), acted con
temptuvusi, and iuie, entity. advised ia,
jury TO disregard the charges OF the re
spondent and stated that the responder
was a disgrace to the State of New
York and threatened to remove him.
Concerning the charges made by Mr.
Shonts as to the purpose of Rlordan'
employing Herbert K Limburg as Coun
sci Coroner Rordan says that he aske,
Lmburg as his friend to sit with hin
and advise him as TO the law; that tn
presence of Llmburg and his purpos
were known to the assistant Dlstric
Attorneys. lie says that MIR. Limbur
is not connected with the New Yor
American and the New York EueniH
journal. as alleged by President Shonti
The Coroner denied every allegatio
contained In the affidavits, made h
President Shonts, Moulton. Burke an
Hutchins. which were filed with TN
original charges. He refers to the writ
ten statement handed 10 him prior I
his charge TO the Coroner's jury. Tha
statement was prepared by the couns'
10 the marlborough and the Coroner wa
asked 10 follow its contents in chargin
the jury. Concerning that statemer
the Coroner says;
AN examination of said statemer
shows that the same was fraudulent
prepared, that 1t incorrectly stated III
law and that II was prepared with II
sole and only purpose of whitewashin
the said complauants and throwing IN
responsibility for the collision upon u
motorman and the conductor witho,
even having the jury pass on the que
tons of fact"
The Coroner asks that the charge
against him be dismissed, but says he
ready 10 appear before a commissions
at any time