New-York Tribune from New York, New York • 1

0 20.143. THE WRECKING TRATN Of TiTP, CUT AT FIFTY-FIFTH-ST. SOFERXMENT BIG LOSER jEFI AIDED OF MILLIONS BY UNDERVALUATIONS HERE. ff-APPRAISKIi WAKEMAN TO ASSIST IN PROSECUTION OF JAPANESE BILK CASES. An idea of the ndous fuir.s of money that tie has lest for some years by false in the customs servi was obtained yenerdriv.

Ar. 1 it is thought every one of these false Invoices was wilfully made. It has keen rumored time that these frauds had cost the government a small fortune etch year, but it did not become publj ly known tall yc-Fterday that the government has been Mraoded in this manner for some years of about year. At I ast that is what the facts In hai Indicate, and It is thought hat a thorough examination of the ibject nay nveli the FUiii considerably. The KCUtlon of 1 case relating to the undervaluation of Japantjfr piJkn is about begun.

WAKEMAX TO PROSECUTIOK. Wilbur F. Wakeman, ex-Appraiser of the Port, returned to this city yesterday from While in he visited the Thlte House at the President's invitation, and afl a talk v. iili Mr. Roosevelt about the of the Japanese silk fraud cases.

Atureey General Knox was present. As a result i this conference Mr. Wakeman was asked to sskt ir. prosecuting the cases. He said he fosld willingly give his services gratuitously.

3e will, therefore, rak-- part in the. prosecution. Mr. Wakeman was asked yesterday at his tone here for details of the case to be prosecuted. taid he thought it would not proper for to talk oi the subject for publication, as to assist the representatives of the so far as he was able.

When asked the government had lost through certain discovered In the customs service Mr. said, it.li much emphasis: "In my Wsaest, the- government has been defrauded lean $800,000 a year in connection Importation of Japanese silks, and in with goods of similar character £rom including silk hatbands, the fsvsaaeat has been defrauded of nearly IJHE JAPANESE SILK FKAUDS. learned that the frauds in the importate cf. Japanese silks extended over a period of iastten years, ar.d that the total sum the frfflffljent bad lost In duties on this line of was than and perhaps including si'k on goods of similar i- frauded of nearly THE JAPANESE SII.K FRAUDS. the importa- i of I the total sum vtxni had lost in duties on ihi.s line than perhaps of stttrilsr from the Continent.

wiektiatn Smith, an on customs Cristy Met assistant secretary of Merchants' Association. city to go to Washington, where they ii Itfa Attorney General Knox. fcsith was by a btute reporter as he itout to start for Washington. When he was going to Washington he A few days the Merchants' received a communication frosa Central Knox in reply to a laid before him by that fir asked that Ml Mead and to visit him in regard an I 11 alleged refrularitif's in th- Japanese i have received no on th suli.i'.-t, but I told that appointed a special assistant 8 the matter. The visit I a specific case, and not to a tiKatir to earn the condition I Vitwf 10 lS scryi at this port.

Should I I swh an investigation. I hile acting as counsel for the Affiliation in certain matters, tny 6S xn frauds in the On sof a silks. At that time I 8 look hlffhly suspicious and lr vo I eCUtlon tho wln based on aa uations wrong classification and Jm? One of the examiners Japanese silk frauds is RAUI WE IE DISCOVERED. I in the Importations of Japanese by suddenly changing the Ues of rtain men in the customs I here was a suspicion that their work ones performed, and Mr. Wakeman rred Invoices which had come nollce found to be false.

For nia where the invoices XfrS 'ontained about one hun- I a greater quantity was I C'to the tfOods was often I jTX. Wgher than Indicated by the in- of ogtee as Appraiser I that an discovered evidence which I In 6tu frauds had been nnwU wlth tain ilk goods nei Mj hat bands, etc. I ci7in "Ome goods not propersi a fcffcrred Oolleotor BldwelL ng trorn solicitor of 1 Distlicl Attorney Dursi Thi, hls ru and the case I ti 1 CROKER PREPARES TO GO. SHIPS LABGH QUANTITY OF HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS TO ENGLAND. ABOUT SIXTY BOXES r.O ON THE ZEELAXD -BELIEF AMONG HIS FRIENDS THAT THE CHIEF WILL LEAVE HERE NEXT WEDNESDAY.

Tammany Democrats were greatly interested last night over the announcement that about Hxty boxes of household effects belonging to Richard Croker wore shippe.i yesterday to England on the Zeeland. of the Red Star Line. which took the place of one of the regular American Line boats. What surprised the intimate friends Of Mr. Croker was the early shipment of the goods and the extent and variety of the contents.

It was reported last night that the shipment of Mr. household effects yesterday portends his early ire for Wantage. The character of the shipment Indicates in the minds of the faithful. Who StUdlOUSly WatCn every move Of the Tammany chieftain, that he is going thlf time Cor a Jong stay. At the downtown express at' re the were piled two watchmen had been detailed to keep an eye on them.

It ild, over sine- Monday last. The i.oxes, according to gossip, were marked "silverware," "bric-a-brac," "glassware," and bo forth, with the usual rerjtitsts to handle them with care. It Is said that this is the first time that Mr. Croker has ever shipped any household ts or objects of art from New-Tork his country home in Wantage. At th'- Democratic nub List night it was said that, while it was known that Mr.

Croker bad shipped a riunntitv of belongings to England, it was nit known how soon he would start for the other it is his expressed intention to ptay until after the next meeting of th executive committee of the Tammany commit tee, which will probably be called for th- last week January. The early Of his belongings, however makes many of his frir-nds thiiiK that Tammany will be without Its ruler after the American Line boat leaves her pier on Wednesday next. It QEV KR 8 1 SPE VA). GENERAL WOOD TAKES ACTION IN REGARD TO PBNDOfO CHARGES. Havana.

Jan. Pending an Investigation which Is now being carried on by Befior Nunez the Governor of Havana. General Wood baa suspended Miguel Gener, the Mayor of Havana. Twenty-three out of twenty-eight eouncflmen Havana hare petitioned General to i move Mayor Gener. HENRY BELL LAIDLAW DIES.

OF BANKING FIRM SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA AT ms HOME. Henry Bell Laldtaw, a prominent banker, of No. 1 I died evening from pneumonia, at his home, No. West Beventy-thlrd- having been ill tor about two weeks. Mr.

Laidlaw was born In this city on December and bad always lived marri-d Miss Elizabeth Onderdonk, who, with children, survives him. Mr. Laidlaw was city Chamberlain In 1884, was also bead of the banking firm of Laidlaw a director the Flank of New-York and a vestryman of Trinity Church. The for funeral have not been made. BOSTOX COMMON TREES ALL RIGHT.

FOBBftItBR DOOOUE RIDICULE 3 BI'OOBrTIONS Or BAKtTBL PARSONS, rOB THEIR CARB Boston. Jan. City Forester Doogue BtSde a reply to the report recently made hy Famuel Parsons, of New-Tork, upon the condition of the elms on Boston Common, which, he claimed, wen- generally In bad health," due to unscientific treatment and care. Mr. Doogue asserts that the report is due to personal spite.

occasioned by his refusal to adopt certain of Mr. Parsons's which were neither practical nor Judicious. Some of the principal allegations In the report discussed in detail by Mr. i ne, and the utility of many of its suggestions Is ridiculed Mr. Doogue so far from the trees being Kit nf 1.K ad health, they are generally In the TROLLEY FOR CAIRO AX It MOUKT SIXAI.

Clereland. Jan. the Bulun of Turk. vrants lo th. the that are being sought after, the United States Construction co-n-pany.

of Cleveland, win eensoract electric line from Cairo. Egypt, to Mount fcinal, and along the coant of the Rrrl Sea to Mecca, with a branch from Mount Sinai to Danmsc-js. lines are already proiected. sad the company's chief promoter In tho Orient that Palestine, hy reason of the 71onsue movement. Is full of for conn JernsaUm with surrounding towns Clevtland coa-pany will finance tht- lines with thJ that It shall the construct LUXURIOUS TRAIN TO CALIFORNIA.

The "Overland Limited." Uest of en routo. via Chicago North-Western. rnlon pfcln" 0 RUllWayS fflceS 33 NEW-YORK. THURSDAY. JAXTARY 9.

FOURTEEN 1 -I by The Tribune as- Nation. SCENES AT THF WRECK IN THE NEW YORK CENTRAL'S PARK-AYE. TUNNEL. FIFTEEN KILLED, THIRTY-SIX HURT Locomotive Telescopes with Two Rear Cars in Park Avenue Tunnel Scenes of Horror. STEAM SCALDS VICTIMS BURIED IX THE WRECKAGE.

Fifteen persons were killed and thirty-six were injured seriously in the railway tunnel in near Fifty-sixth- -yesterday morning when a Harlem local train dashed into the rear end of New-Haven accommodation Both trains were filled with passengers in the rush of travel from suburban homes to the city, and were approaching the entral Station, when the Xcw-Haven train was stopped by a danger signal. The'lfarlcm train ran past the and stopped only when its locomotive had wrecked two cars of the other train. The carnage was confined to the Xew-llaveu train. Most of the persons killed and injured were in the rear car, which had been opened for passengers at Xew-Roehellc. John M.

isker. the engineer of the Harlem train, was arrested and sent to the Tombs to await the result of a coroner's inquest upon the bodies of those killed in the collision. He was in such a pitiable condition of nervousness that he was permitted onh to say thai he did not see one of the warning signals on account of the large amount of steam and smoke in the tunnel. His fireman, who was arrested with him and was released on bail, said he saw the signals. District Attorney Jerome made a preliminary investigation and assigned an assistant to aid in the coroner's inquest.

It was on Mr. Jerome's advice thai Coroner Scholer decided to hold the accused engineer without bail. The District Attorney caused measurements and tests to be made at the scene of the collision, which may have important bearing upon the result of the investigation. STORY OF TIIK COLLISION. PASSENGERS HURLED TO DEATH TORTUKE WITHOUT THE RLIGHT- Tlif worst accident In history of York Central's tunnel In Park-aye.

was that which brought instant to fourteen and one woman, caused serious injuries to more than twice that number of people, and created panic among scores of other passengers on tw trains, at 8:20 a. m. yesterday. It happened near tii" south end of the tunnel, at Fifty-slxthst An Incoming New-Haven train was stopped there permit the track to the receiving shenl of the Grand Central Station to be cleared It was on the easterly track of the two that pass through the middle section of the tunnel, and Its locomotive and forward cars were In the open cut. While it waited, half In and half out of the tunnel, its two rear cars were telescoped by th.

locomotive of an Incoming Harlem local train which followed on the same track. Apparently tin- accident was to disregard of by J. M. Wlsker, the engineer of the Harlem train, who Is under arrest. He Buffering so much from shock and nervous prostration yesterday that his examination was prevented, and it was not known positively if he read the signals correctly in the darkness and smoke of the tunnel.

Bnou was falling down through the openings of the tunnel and shutting out the Mew ahead of bis locomotive, and he probably did not see the rear end of the New- Haven train until he was close upon it. Thf investigation that was begun yesterday probably will determine if there would have, been less likelihood of such accident had the tunnel been free from the smoke of steam locomotives and properly lighted, and had the trains been run by electricity. MORE APPALLING THAN THAT OF 18D1. Yesterday's accident was more frightful and appalling than the rear end collision that occurred 1n (he tunnel at Elghty-sixth-st. on February 20, 1801, which caused the deaths fix persons and led to indictments of railway officials, who subsequently were acquitted.

There were present In yesterday's disaster the horrors of temporary imprisonment In cars wrecked under ground, Fufferings of injured and helpless people exposed to escaping stenm, ami danger that flames would create still more awful havoc. The roHision occurred at a time when there was a rush of travel from suburban homes to the city, when many trains were approaching the Grand raj over three lines, nnd inn there was congestion of trallic on the tracks north of the station. The two trains involved In the tunnel wreck were the South v.alk local of the Xew-Haven line, due at Forty-second-st. at 8:17 a. and the White Plains local of the Harlem road, due there one minute earlier.

The Harlem train passed over the bridge south of the Mott Haven Station three minutes before the New-llaven train atiJ Just behind the Croton local train of the Central road, which ran down through the middle tunnel and got Into the Grand Central Station ahead of time. After passing over the. Kl.oHll>A. Knjoy summer climate in winter at Bay HoteL Information ut 3 I'ark I'laca and Plant System, Advt. TTTT: TELESCOPED PASSENGER CAR.

EST WARNING bridg- at 8:00 a. the New-Haven train took thi outside track and ran past the Harlem train on the between and the north end of the tunneL At Nlnety-sixth-st. the New-Haven train pssarii from the outside (rack. No. 1 to the easterly middle track, No.

and ran Into the tunnel reduced speed. The Harlem train, running on track No. 2. passed Nlnety-slxth-st. three minutes behind the New-Haven train.

At where there is a signal station, the Harlem train had gained half a minute on the train ahead. At where there or" more signals, the pursuing train had lost half minute. The trains were nearly three minutes apart whea the engineer of the New-Haven train obeyed the signal at Fiftyninth-st. and brought his train to a stop at Fifty-six th-st. NO WARNING To THK There was warning for the terrific collision that followed.

Passengers in the New-Haven trajn waiting Impatiently for tile train to ii." lto the station. The cars were lighted, enabling passengers to rend newspapers, but ft-w wore rending. Borne were making ady to leave the train as soon as it entered the station. Suddenly there came a deafening crush, a ling roar and a shock that extended through the train. The two rear cars of the train were reduced instantly wholly to splinters.

Men and women in the cars were crushed, mangled and about in the wreckage. Those who were not killed instantly were held fast in the confused heaps of brokez. seats and fragments of wood. The greatest was created in the two rear cars. The locomotive of the Harlem trnin ripped Its way half through tno last car of New- Haven train and Jammed the car into the one almost half its The force of impact was so great that ill" entire New-Haven trnln was shoved forward nearly half a block befOTC the wheels ceased to turn.

Along both trains platforms of enrs were splintered and the glass- In the windows was smashed to fragments. All th" lights of the two trains went out Instantly. The roof of the last car the train was forced under the roof of the car ahead, while the sidss anc' floors of both cars were broken into fragments. The locomotive that caused damage was within a few feet of the second car it came to a standstill. Almost all of the people svhn were killed outright hy the collision were in the last car.

which had been opened at New -Rochelle. Most of those who escaped death la that car were injured seriously. Those who escaped injury in ond car were in the forward end. They "s-----d appalling n. before they were able to get out Of the wracked car.

TVhind them in tie tangled masses of wood iron were flucrushed an.l bleeding bodies of the dead, some who were insensible and s. me who w-re suffering and helpless. Back in the wreckage was the locomotive, still panting like a thing of life, and from it shot out Jets of steam. There were shrieks of agony, groans and sobs and pitiful cries for help. The escaping steam began to parboil the flesh of the victims nearest to the locomotive.

All the light for that part of ths i out in lie il mi urconii FLORIDA EAST COAST POINTS-ST. AUOUSTINE. PALM BEACH, MIAMI. Schedule effective January Superb eervlce In connection with the Pennsylvania and Southern Ky. The route of.

the Southern's Palm Limited. Kew-Yoik offices. 271 and Advt. THE WRECKED LOCOMOTIVE IN" THE TTXNEL. THE DEAD AND INJURED.

TUB NAMKS OF MANY WEI.I. KNnWN PBBBONB OF NKW ROCHKLLJI IN THK LISTS. THE DEAD. CROSBY, Frank, twenty-one old. the son of Orosny.

a well known etvtl of Xcw-110- thf only that i-itv to meet his ill fated tr.un Mr. w.i.-< gradu- Me rroni New RocheUc public achoota and was inly recently icrnilunKM frmn Cornell UalTeralty. He employed in the control of the rl can Lut-omotivi Company, and was on way there when the ac Ident occurred Hta father Jives in Trinity Place, New Roc-hell. Ii of the best known residents of thai city and president of the Kew-Rochelle Public Library. DIMON.

11. W.i- a consulting rrntnorr employej by the American Brldice Company. He brotherin-law District-Attorney .1. Add Won Young, ol WVstchestFr With his wlCe and live children Mr. lUmon it Manhattan Itochelle Park.

mon was well in nKineerlna circles and ranknl hlcb ai an expert in steel construction work. FAJARDO, Theod. was a native of Spain. was employed In this city aa buyer for Ihe Cuban importing of. A.

M. Cnpen IVarl-st. Mr. r'iijarilo nmrried a few years iiku .1 Durpu. at Sew Rocbelte.

They lived in a hooM they hud tiuilt in Homestead I'ark. New a Ml l-'-i 1 i i warn l.irni.-r!-. the Sew York ixnTecpondeni numtvr of Spanish newspapers, but gnva this up In Spanish American War waa In nympath) with the attitude of this country and did want hia frlrnda and to caiatma us diatoval. He was an active, ateaaber of Catholic ana numU-r of Catholic Four children survive htm. KOPnKS.

Walter, (went) one years old. lived with l.ts mrther and at Fifth -aye. and Devej l'lace. New rhelle lli.t father la dead and tee family only recently moved t. New Rochelle from this city.

Walter was ai clerk In a law ottlce' at No. Wa'l-st. Ha wna on tne way to tni ottlco when he was FOSKKTT. B. wna a Cuaioan House Ins-peotor.

and with his wife boarded with M. and Mrs. G. Htaadale, at it Field Xew-Rnehelle. R.ith be and Mr.

Hlnndaic trete killed while ridina thia city Uesldes widow, rhiKiien E. C. wna an officer of thr SJMtOS Trust Company. waa forty years old lived at No. Field aye.

Both Mr and Mrs. Hins.l.v.e in helh Mm Ii in active Christian Sckentisl and cwm ol the known hreerters al in thn State, having pastured numerous Nil' rlbboni at ell over the country'- BOWARO, A. had lived In Xew-Uocneile onty a few months, at No. Slckels-ave. was f.

rmerly a corset manufacturer, with offices at No. SsS F-st Washington, C. but sold his business a months ago. Since that time he had 1 looking for a to invest his capital in line et business In this city. Mrs.

A artSj the nisi named, was a bride of only six months. was employed in the Office of the Standard nu Company. LEY i vmiam Wis forty-eight old. He born In Scotland and came this country wnea a youns man. entered the employ the firm of B.

Altman Co. In an inferior BoaMioa, but was general of their establishment at time he killed. A wMow and four grown children survive him. The family nrcuniaa a home at Ma VI New-Rochrlle. Mr.

Leys was known In and the owner of considerable property there. One of his tons Is married and llvea In Maiks. Charles 8.. of 33 Skan. RocheUe, was a clerk in the import division of the New-York Custom House.

A widow and famtly eurvlve him. SIEVIii'UITZ. Oneai was manager for his K. B. Meyrowttz.

an optician of this olty utid waa we!) known ai a yachtstrian. He waa of the RochHli Yacht Cluh, and for several years had taken an acthra aakrt In yacnt i.u-lng. Mr. Meyrowlta wna i.tm In Tii-'t. lYussla.

and waa -seven raara old. Ha came this coun'ry thirty aco, and had wved In RocheUe nint? years. He occupied a handsome house at Nu. Ba.nker riuci-. was a mrinber of the Reform Club.

A widow survives him. I Arthur twenty-two years oU. lived with his father. William Mills, a New-York linen importer No. '-2 Linden Place.

New-Rochelle. family formerly lived In California. young man who waa just out ai ama ln his father's ot- CoiittiiutMi on I pajaaaj, THE NEW VINTAGE. beinp more delicate and than the and similar to the lsS3. Is represented by G.

Mumm's Extra Dry now coming to market, and immense reserves guarantee the maintenance of quality Of this brand 120,369 cases were Imported In 1901' or nearly cases more than any Advt. PKICE THREE CENTS. POINTS TO ENGINEER. SIGXALX SET RIGHT AXD THE FIREMAX SHOUTED. MAN HELD WITHOUT BAIL SAYS H3 COULD NOT SEE GREEN LIGHT BE- CAUSE OF SMOKE.

District Attorney Jerome went to the scene of the wreck fn the tunnel yesterday morning and took the lead in an investigation which Is bein? made by Coroner Scholer. As soon as Jerome heard of the accident he left the Criminal Courts Building, in company with Assistant District Attorney Garvan. a secretary and George P. Hammond, chief of the county detectives. Half an hour before noon they entered the tunnel to begin the investigation there.

The locomotive of the Harlem train had been backed out Oi the wreckage. its smokestack and pilot were gone, and l.a bell had fallen to ths ground, while the boiler covering at the forward end had been ripped off. The cars behind tiie locomotive did not appear to have suffered greatly. Miles Bronson, the master mechanic, who was present with some of the Central officials. was ordered to test the air brakes of the cars.

The test showed that the brakes were in good working order, and the District Attorney was tola that if they had been applied at the danger signal at Fifty-nlnth-st. they could have stopped the train in time to prevent the collision. Mr. Jerome caused measurements to be made and recorded, and it was seen that from the danger signal to the place collision was 478 feet. The District Attorney examined other sisrnal.s in the tunnel, seeing that there was a warning green signal at Slxty-thlrd-st.

Then he went to the police station in where Coroner Bcholer had begun an investigation. Captain Lantry. of the police there, had caused the arrest of Wisker. the engim-er of the Harlem train; Edward C. Fyler.

th- fireman of the locomotive, and Charles F. Flynn. the signal man who had charge si the signal station nearest the collision. All three men were examined briefly by the District Attorney and the Coroner in the room of Captain Lantry. Flynn explained the system by which signals were set automatically in the tunnel.

He said the signals came to him from other towers by bells. His testimony showed that when there was a red signal at Fifty-ninth-st. there must be a green, or precautionary, signal at that signal bring set automatically. At sight of the green signal, he said, it was the duty of an engineer to get his train under control. in readiness for a stop at the red signal.

Fyler, the rireman. said he saw both the green and red signals and shouted to the englnsef across the cab of the locomotive. District Attorney Jerome later gave this version oC the fireman's story: THE FIREMAN'S STORY. The fireman said he was BSttSMJ on his side of the cat) ai they passed along the tunnel. leaning out.

on the lookout for rhe llsthts. At Sixty-third- he said, he the green or "precautionary" signal, which means that the engireer must get his train under control so that he may be able to aton at minutes warning. He drew in his head he says, an.l shouted across to the engineer. "Green This h- supposed the engineer heard. He says that the engineer put on the brakes and slowed nn.

At -ninth-st. the fireman told me he saw the red signal and shouted "Redr to the engineer. Ha a collision was coming, he said, and Jumped into the teti.ier. He told me he had every reason to suppose th the engineer saw the red or "danger signal when he did Wisker. the engineer, was ailowe.j to answer only one oasattssi.

He was asked if he saw the signals, and he replied that he did not see the green ssjnai al because there was much smoke and steam In the tunnel. He apparently was suffering from shock, and was on the verge of nervous prostration. Jerome said It was not fair to question a man In that condition, particularly jis he might be hfld resnenstofte for the loss of life in the wreck. By advice of the Attorney Coroner Scholer held the rsgjnssi without bail, and! sent him le the Tomb 3 late in the afternoon. The fir-man was heM in $3,000 bail, which was furnished.

The man was discharged from custody. District Attorney Jerome said he would detail Mr. Gnrvan to attend the coroner's inquest, and continue the investigation. HURLED LANTERN AT CAB. The police got sorre statements from men on the NVw-Haven train which may be used later The conductor of that, train said he acsn a man with a earning back to irn th- approaching train as soon as the stop was made at Fifty-sixth-st.

The brakeman Sal he went back and waved a red lantern. As the Harlem train did not stop, he got cut of Its way and hurled the lantern at the cab. The Harlem train had passed the rrd signal at Fifty-ninth- st. and was going at the rate of twenty miles an hour, the man said. District Attorney Jerome made the following statement last v.ning cor.cerni.ig his iuvestij tion: My idea in going to the scene of disaster was SOLID TRAIN TO ST.

AUGUSTINE. FLA. Seaboard Air Une.