Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire

The triangle shirtwaist factory had a terrible accident in the year of March 25,1911.  A fire spread out of control in the eighth floor killing more than 140 women who were mostly immigrants.  The owners of the factory were 2 guys, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris.  They always lock the doors in order to prevent their workers from stealing any of the fabrics.  So when they fire occurred most of the exits were lock which cause most of the women to take the elevator or jump out of the window in hope to be caught by the firemen.  Both attempts were useless because most of the women would land on the sidewalk. The elevator got jammed due to many workers inside and on top of the elevator.   

            Several of months pass and on December 4,1911 both Isaac Harris and Max Blanck trial began in the courtroom of Judge Thomas Crain.  Max D Steuer was defending them.  Charles S. Bostwick established the prosecution team.  Harris and Blanck were getting sued for the death of Margaret Schwartz, which was one of the 146 deaths from the shirtwaist factory.  This trial brought about 50 witnesses to testified against the owners.  On December 27, 1911 the jury gave a not guilty verdict.  This verdict upset most of the civilians.  The civilians were screaming out, “Justice! Where is justice!” while Harris and Blanck hurried out through judge’s private exit.  Later Charles tried to sue them again but the judge didn’t allow it due to a Constitutional law that doesn’t let any one get sue for the same thing twice.

            I don’t agree with the call of the jury’s verdict.  For me both Isaac and Max were guilty and I believe that should’ve paid for their negligence.  During the trial their attorney never show actual evidence to proof them innocent.  They were just trying to contradict the witnesses, which I think that was no help.  What really shocked me was the comment on one of the jury.    Victor Steinman declared, “I believed that the door was locked at the time of the fire, but we couldn’t find them guilty unless we believed they knew the door was locked.”  This comment contradicts its’ self because they did know that the doors were lock at the time of the fire.  In one of the witness’s testimony said, “I saw the Bernstein, the manager’s brother trying to open the door…Bernstein tried the door, he couldn’t open it.”  It also was said that they close the doors in order to prevent the workers to steal the fabric. Therefore looking back at Victor statement both Isaac and Max knew about the lock doors.  I think this is very strong evidence in order for the verdict to be guilty.