The sun., 1918-12-13
B. R. 7. SUFFERERS
SEE OFFICIALS HELD
Only Six Minutes Consumed
by Magistrate in First
Proceeding.
LAWYERS DO TALKING
Attorneys Await Action by
Grand Jury in Wreck
That Cost 80 Lives.

The Formally OF arresting and hold
ing in $4,000 hail apiece for Grand
jury action the five 3. r. r. officials
charged with manslaughter occupied
six minutes in the Adams street police
court, Brooklyn. yesterday afternoon.
President Timothy S. Williams and
his four accused subordinates ap-
peared with a flock of lawyers, gave
the required bonds and went their re-
spective ways.
Except for a seconds diversion Gre
ated by the explosion Of a pbotog-
rapher's fiashlight and a certain COOL
, ness that seemed to have arisen be-
tween Col. Williams and District At
torney Lewis, vino met but spake not.
the proceedings were less interesting
than the ordinary routine Of a Magis-
[ trate's court.
In the room were several women
who had lost relatives in the wreck
Of November 1 on the Brighton Beach
line. They appeared surprised and ag-
grieved when they learned that the
r. II. T. men were not to be handcuffed
and dungeoned forthwith. but were as
sured that the laws exactions were
being satisfied to the letter and that
in falling TO bring tffe manslaughter
charges to trial on the spot Magis-
trate Steers was outraging no prece-
dent.
Arrests Purely Techpical.
Col. Williams and his companions--
John II. Hallock, John j. Dempsey, W.
$. Menden and Thomas L. Blewitt-
did not actually touch the warrants
that were issued by Mayor-MaEistrate
Hylan at the cnd OF the John Doe in
quiry on Wednesday. Nor did any
policeman or court officer touch the
defendants. Two detectives with the
warrants visible in their hands stood
at the door as the party entered. That
constituted arrest. Meier Steinbrink
appeared as counsel for Messrs. Will
Jams, Hallock. Menden and Biewitt.
Stephen c. Baldwin appeared for Mr..
Dempsey.
Edward Luciano. or Anthony Lewis,
motorman OF the rain that was
wrecked. who had previously waived
examination and been held for the
Grand Jury, was not present. The
motorman, who has been a sombre
figure all through the inquiry. sat with
his wife among the spectators.
The lawyers stood up beside their
clients and for them waived examina-
ton and pleaded. not guilty. John
Bielman, vice-president of the National
Security Company, assured the Mag
i~strate that all the bail bonds had beer
properly exesuted.
1T is Understood then" the Magis-
tratt said, that these defendants
waive examination and are held tc
await the action OF the Grand Jury"
Fair Trial in Brooklyn.
The District Attorney said he would
oppose any attempt OF the B. r. T
lawyers to have the trial shifted to
some other county in case indictments
were returned. He remarked:
The fear that a fair trial could not
w h"h ~ pchiN AZ IOhIluicSN. 4
an adequate defence exists it will be-
respected just AS honestly by a jury Of
twelve Brooklyn citizens as by twelve
men OF any other community. Ii
fact, l am satisfied that in Brooklyn
only can this matter be threshed Out
on its merits alone"
Mr.. Steinbrink said he did not know
what use the b. X. T. might make o.
the harangue which Mrs. Bella I'll,
herman tried TO make in Mayor Hy,
lan's courtroom on Wednesday. HI.
view was: TT would be idle for me O.
any other lawyer to say at this tim,
what course will be pursued. / thinl
the best plan will he for US to wal
and see who, II anybody. is indicted
by the Grand Jury, and what the in
dictments. II there are my. contain
We shall then be in a better position
10 decide what shall he done next. W,
shall leave the making of statement
TO the Mayor, the Public Service Com
mission or any one else who feels in
clined tina way"