The result of the meeting which was attended by about forty tenants, was the appointment of two committees. One of these was instructed to consult with a lawyer and ascertain what legal steps, if any, are ascertain what legal steps, if any, are necessary to guard their interests. The other was assigned to confer with Superintendent O'Rourke of the Building Department to find out why the elevator which fell was permitted to be operated and what assurance, the department will give when the elevators are again put operation.
During the meeting Frederick C.J. Wiss, president of the Wiss Realty Corporation, which owns the building; Jerome B. Wiss, secretary and manager, and Norman Wiss walked into the room. The manager told the tenants that he was ready and anxious to restore elevator service and wanted the co-operation of the tenants. This could not be given, he said, by the constant complaining to the Building Department and other officials. When he said he would answer any question asked him, the manager received a volley of inquiries and complaints. Announcing that he could not talk with the tenants while they were in that frame of mind, the manager left the meeting, accompanied by the other Wisses.
The tenants insisted that a superintendent of elevators was needed in the building and complained that one of the operators was a former chauffeur who knew nothing of elevators. They decided to meet again Monday, when they will hear the reports of the committees and decide what action, if any, they will take.
Jerome B. Wiss explained today that a motor defect which repairmen are trying to remedy is all that prevents operation of one of the elevators. The one which fell has been raised from the basement and is undergoing repairs. Mr. Wiss denied that the concern had been niggardly in making repairs to the elevators and asserted repairs this year had cost more than $6,000. To make certain that the safety device on the elevator about ready for service is in good order, he said, he remained in the car while it was dropped several stories at three different times yesterday. On each occasion the car was stopped automatically, he added, as soon as it began to exceed its regular speed limit. The Building Department has refused to permit the use of this elevator until the motor defect is eliminated.
At the City Hospital it was said that two of the accident victims have fractured spines, as disclosed by X-ray examinations. Their condition is serious. They are Norman Downing of 65 South Tenth street, both of whose legs were broken, and G.F. Ciminottl of 33 Liberty place, Weehawken, who also has a compound fracture of the left leg. Mrs. Frances Tongue of 197 Hillside avenue, Glen Ridge, who was thought to have suffered a fractured spine, escaped that injury, it was reported at St. Barnabas's Hospital. Her injuries include fractures of the left leg, ankle and one rib.