The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-25
WRECK VICTIMS KIN
UNITE AGAINST BRIT.
Lillian Murphy, One Sister
Killed, Another Hurt, Is
Associations Head.

One hundred relatives and friends
Of persons who died or were injured
in the recent B. r. r Brighton Beach
line disaster met yesterday afternoon
and formed an organization (which
shall see that the course of justice is
followed relentlessly and that the
travelling public shall be properly
safeguarded in the future"
The meeting was held in the cold,
cherries auditorium Of Public School
1853. at Homecrest avenue and Avenue
T in Flatbush. Moro than half Of
those present were women and their
garments OF deep mourning height
ened the sombre atmosphere.
1t was the opinion, stated in en-
phatic tones by some. that every step
possible should be taken to punish
those higher up" responsible for the
tragedy. The acts of all public Off
cials concerned In the investigation
will be followed. 1T must never hap
pen again." they said.
At the end of the meeting an exec
utive committee OF sixteen was ap-
pointed, with Miss Lillian Murphy of
1927 Homecrest avenue as its chair
man. A motion was passed providing
that chairmen OF all committees must
be relatives OF wreck victims. Two
OF Miss Murphy's sisters were on the
smashed train. One, Grace, died. The
other, Vera, was injured.
school Principal Presides.
Joseph p. Griffin, principal of p. S.
ia in Manhattan but who lives IN
Flatbush, was the presiding officer.
On the night OF November he iden-
titled the body of a young school
teacher at the Morgue, and it was
he who had called the meeting.
Those gathered here" he said, ARE
deeply and patheucally interested IN
the work OF organizing this body. In
Brooklyn the 3. r. T. has complete
control OF the railroads. In Manhat
tan there are bus lines and the public
is not entirely dependent upon the
railroads. This movement is the re-
suit Of quiet determination on our
as this one shall never happen again.
He said District Attorney Lewis was
absolutely sincere and earnest in his
efforts to place blame on those re-
sponsible." He referred in scathing
tones to the motorman who plunged
the train TO destruction as an "im-
becile graduate OF an ungraded class
who is culpable and should be pun
ished." The responsibility, he added
should not, however, end there.
VIII Urge New LAWS II Needed.
IF the laws are not definite to AK
responsibility We must see that when
the next Legislature convenes proper
laws will be made TO meet such a sit
uation," Mr.. Griffin added.
Miss Murphy declared that District
Attorney Lewis had promised whole
hearted cooperation with the organiza-
ton. She urged the women present
to attend all hearings connected with
the investigation as silent object les
sons" to the d. r. T. She alluded 10
the directors as "pronteers In flesh
and blood"
This corporation has committed
murder" said Patrick Sullivan, q
mourning father, land as n murderer
should be dealt with" He added
1.-THE $4,000 Public Service Commits
sioners have accomplished nothing
The B. r. T. pays not the slightest
attention to them" He burst into
tears and sat down.
The executive committee will make
plans for a permanent organization.
There will be another meeting. on Sun
day afternoon, December 8, at Eras-
mus Hall High School.