New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-14
Coroner Told He Must Use
Subpenas to Get Car
Company's Witnesses.
FLYNN MAY BAR
TRACTION ATTORNEY
Official Indirectly Accused
of Union Partially at
Crash Inquiry.

There are two methods, it developed
Yesterday, OF holding the inquest TO
fix responsibility for The Bronx sur
face car accident which killed two men
and injured twelve others on Tuesday.
The first is the method Coroner Will
lam J. Flynn thinks proper; the Sec
ond is that of Joseph Donohue, attor-
ney for the Union Railway.
The two mea came to CLASH yes
terday afternoon in the Coroners
court when the inquest, started imme-
diately after the accident, was re-
sumed. As result, before an ao-
journment had been obtained by
peace-loving Assistant District Attor-
ney, Mr.. Donohue had indirectly
charged the Coroner with partiality to
the labor unions. had characterized his
actions as unfair and had criticised
the latitude employed in questioning
Union Railway employees.
The Coroner, for his part, accused
Mr.. Donohue of bad faith and Of coach
ing witnesses, and suggested that
henceforth the attorney would be ex-
cluded from the inquiry.
Surprise for Coroner.
When the investigation adjourned
Tuesday Mr.. Donohue agreed to pro-
duce for yesterdays hearing Harry
Carrigan, superintendent Of the West
Farms car barn. Floyd Wilmot, repre-
senting the Washington Detective
Agency, which is supplying strike
breakers to the Bronx trolley COM
pany, likewise guaranteed to bring
John Vickery and Alexander Cohen, Of
ficials of the agency. to the Coroner's
court.
Both attorneys, as the investigation
opened yesterday, astonished the Coro-
ner by stating that they had decided
not to produce their clients. II the
Coroner wanted them, he was told, he
would have to subpoena them in the
regular way.
81 am very much surprised at this
proceeding" said Flynn. "You gentle
men gave me your word you would
have your clients in this court, yet you
appear at the last minute to tell me
you have changed your minds. The
Coroner's Office expects to get at the bot
tom of this accident and TO learn who
was responsible for it. II the Union
Railway Company tries to block us, we
shall only work the harder The wit
nesses who did not appear to-day will
be subppnaed for tomorrow, and if we
think il advisable to call higher Of
fcials. we shall do so. Your conven-
fence. Mr. Donohue, will no longer be
considered, since you have shown such
small regard for mine"
Donohue Starts Trouble.
"Will | be in contempt, your honor"
Mr.. Donohue then asked the Coroner.
"if inquire whether you are an Of
ficer in any labor union ?"
81 am not"
Are you a member of any labor
union?"
"No"
"Have you ever been?'
"That is a different question. con-
slider strikebreaking a legitimate trade,
however, if that is what you are trying
TO find out"
Mr.. Donohue Immediately launched
criticism of the manner in which Coro-
ner Flynn had conducted his examina-
ton of surface car officials and strike
breakers. The Coroner's reply was
statement that to-day's proceedings
would be conducted under different cir
cumstances.
Does that mean I will be excluded?'
Mr.. Donohue asked. "If il does, | warn
YOU | must instruct my clients not to
answer your questions, since | cannot
be here to defend them"
~ think you have already given your
clients such instruction" the Coroner
retorted. Before the dispute could pro-
coed further, Assistant District Attor-
ney Qugley obtained an adjournment
until o'clock to-day.