The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-19

- -
solidated company. which say that the
president has general supervision.
Now what man has this authority"
| he asked.
mo one" said Col. Williams.
Then the New York Consolidated Is
without a PRESIDENT"
II would not say So"
Has II a president in name only"
Little more than that"
Later the District Attorney will con-
| tend that construction was faulty at the
curve where the wreck occurred He
tried to ascertain from Col. Williams
who was responsible for construction at
that point The witness explained that
the Intercontinental Company had the
| contract. but IT defaulted and the Mu-
nicipal Railway Corporation took over
the work. As fast as piece OF track
and roadbed was finished the Municipal
turned It over to the operator. the Con-
solidated company. This function was
highly informal. Il appeared. Often no
record was made at the time: the sub
ordInates of the construction company
simply told eubordnates of the operai-
ing company that a stretch OF track was
ready Tor trains.
Williams Dodees Questions.
do you know II the southbound track
entering the Malbone street tunnel
twhere the Brighton Beach train jumped
the trackl has been turned over?" MT.
Lewis inquired.
II think So" Col. williams said.
Don't you know that from the north
end OF the tube and going south the
tracks are not completed?'
thu road q turned over Niece
meal"
Having lunched and rested his mind
the District Attorney abruptly said to
Col. Williams in the afternoon session
Now isn't II a fact that you really
control the policy Of all the subsidiary
companies?'
undisturhc5 the witness replial: "As
president, to the extent that I ac. o.
speak. suppose I may be assumed to
be speaking the policy OF the system
And your policy is usually the policy
OF tie SYSTEM,
Generally" assentedN the Colonel.
You regard yourself as in iiffer-
ent class from Mr.. Hallock?"
Well I am more active than ne is.
His part Is comparatively small"
The examiner shifted the inquiry 70
he strike OF November I. which by MAX
services OF Anthony Lewis and other
employees as motormen has been called
an indirect cause OF the wreck Col.
Williams said he learned about. P. NJ.
on October 81 that the strike had been
called. He had dinner and went from
his Huntington home TO Brooklyn for a
conference with Mr.. Dempsey.
Nobody knew at that time how many
men would go out" he said. "Nr
Dempsey said he thought he would be
able to give fair service on his lines
That was the fact He was pleasantly
disappointed by the small exten; TO
which the strike Influenced the service
About 10000 more passengers were car.
fied on that day (November I. the day
OF the wreck) than on the same day
last YEAR"
Yet you were running fewer trains.
weren't you?'
Yes"
And passengers vere b.,,s oro,.5-
ed?" '''"u
Probably that IL true"
DO you ever ride in b. r. r. trains.'
Frequently"
Mayor Takes n Hand.
The recommendation of the War
Labor Board called for the reinstate-
ment OF twenty-nine men. Why did you
not carry II out?"
we did not agree with the War
Labor Board that certain employees who
mad severed their connection with the
New York Consolidated were to be taken
back unless committee of EMPLOYEES
should decide that these men should he
reinstated. II committee Of EMPLOYEES
decided that injustice had been done,
MT. Dempsey speaking for the company.
agreed to take any or all such employees
back"
Did Dempsey ever receive a commit
tee?"
NO: he declined because the commit.
tee represented the brotherhood OF To-
competitive Engineers. The War Board
had raid that any company could re-
fuse 70 deal with any committee except
one representing its own employees"
Mayor Hylan's telegram of October
ri and Mr.. WIllams's letter Of reply,
both of which have been published. were
put in evidence. The Mayor then asked
Mr.. Williams:
After you received my telegram YOU
talked to Mr. Dempsey about the
striker"
Yea
Did you talk to him about reins,at-
ing the mem"
II did not"
Col. Williams will continue his testi-
mony when the hearing is resumed at II
A. NJ. tomorrow.