New-York tribune., 1918-12-12
Continued from page l


any one leaves the courtroom ?"
whats that? What's that ?" asked
the Mayor
II want to say something in the
name of the Brooklyn public in con-
demnation of these murderers," con-
tnued the woman, her voice piercing
the din of objections and commands
for silence from the District Attorney
and court attendants.
District Attorney Lewis protested
against the woman making any further
remarks, but the lawyers for the ab-
sent defendants seemed quite content
to permit the speaker full freedom of
voice.
The woman kept talking and said she
spoke for one of the B. R. 7. victims
who "was cripple in the hospital"
you must not send this poor motor
man to Jail and let the others escape"
she cried.
"If what you have to say has any
bearing on this case put it in letter
addressed to my Office" suggested
Mayor Hylan.
at has bearing on the murder"---
peSdu Tue Wouldll, Dut WAS interrupted
by a thunderous "No!" from Mr.. Lewis
down by the stenographer, but they
were stricken out by order of the
Mayor.
After this discussion the woman was
overtaken in the corridor by Assistant
District Attorney Warbasse. She said
her name was Mrs. Bella Zilberman
and that she represented the "People's
League" which, she said, was located
in 1872 Willoughby avenue. She gave
her address as Al Argyle Road and was
informed that the District Attorney
would send to her for an explanation
of her actions.
What for?" asked Mrs. zilberman.
Because your talking during the
hearing very likely gave the B. R. T.
grounds upon which to ask for change
of venue to New York"
ooh, my God!" shrieked Mrs. Zilber-
man. and rushed out Of the building.
The woman has taken prominent
part in rent strikes, food riots and
birth control agitation in New York
during the last few years. She said
she had been asked by "some women"
to denounce "the B. R. T. monopoly"
District Attorney Lewis said: "I'm
going to talk to her and find out
Mrs. Zilberman is not connected with
the organization Of victims and rela
tives of victims of the wreck, accord
ing to members of this body who were
in court. These women Indignantly dis
cussed the possibility of having her
punished when they were told the B. R.
T. might ask for a change of venue on
the strength of her demonstration of
"unfriandliness.
District Attorney Lewis was asked
after the adjournment what action, If
any, he would take with regard to
Mayor Hylan's recommendations con-
cerning prosecution of the Public Ser
vice Commission. He replied:
~ prefer to study the Mayors opin-
ion before answering that question.
Everything, however, is being taken be-
fore the grand jury.
Mayor Hylan's Opinion
Mayor Hylan's opinion as read in
court by him follows:
After presiding at this eXamina-
tion and listening to the evidence
and proof adduced at the hearing
under examination by District Attor-
ney Lewis, and having given it care
full consideration, l have come to the
conclusion that the crime of man
slaughter has been committed and
there is reasonable ground to believe
that Timothy S. Williams. John II.
Hallock, William S. Menden, John j.
Dempsey, Thomas F. Blewett and Ed
ward Luciano, alias Anthony Lewis.
committed it, and for that reason |
will direct and sign the issuance of
warrants for the arrest of Timothy S.
Williams, John H. Hallock, William
5. Menden, John j. Dempsey and
Thomas F. Blewett, and that the de-
fendant Edward Luciano, alias An
thony Lewis, be held for the action
of the grand jury.
There is another grave and i'm
portant matter brought out by this
examination, that is, the apparent
failure and culpable neglect of the
Public Service Commission to per-
form their duty to investigate and
inquire into the methods of the op-
spect its construction and equipment
and to see that it was safe for op-
Grafton of trains.
p. S. c. Is Cited
"Under the Public Service Commits
sion law (section s., the jurisdiction,
supervision, powers and duties of the
Public Service Commission for the
First District extend to railroads
aid street railroads lying exclusive
ly within that district, and to the
persons or corporations owning,
leasing or operating the same and
(section 26), every railroad corpora
ton or common carrier is required
to furnish such service and facilities
as shall be safe and adequate.'
"By Section 45 it is provided that
the Public Service Commission has
the power to and 'shall examine
these railroads and keep informed
as to their general condition-and
the manner in which their lines and
property, owned, leased, controlled or
operated, are managed, conducted
and operated, not only with respect
mediation afforded by their service,
pliance with all provisions of law
and for this purpose (section 49,,
the commission is empowered to in
vestigate or make inquiry on its own
motion as to any act or thing done
or omitted to be done by such rail
road corporations, and 'the commits
sion must make such inquiry in re-
gard to any act or thing done or
omitted to be done by any such COM
mon carrier, railroad corporation or
street railroad corporation in viola
ton Of any provision of law
Examination Provided For
THE railroad law provides (sec-
tion 63), that railroad corporations
may employ persons in the capacity
of moto1men If fit and competent
therefor, and declares any violation
of this section shall be a misde-
meanor
"This demand for supervision and