Transcripts of Criminal Trial Against Triangle Owners | Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives | Cornell University ILR School

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Transcripts of Criminal Trial Against Triangle Owners

The full-text of the transcripts of the 1911 criminal trial against the owners of the Triangle Waist factory in New York City is part of a larger Web site, which should be visited to obtain full background information on the fire that caused the owners to be prosecuted and on the trial itself. Please visit Triangle Factory Fire.

For the story of the discovery of the transcripts, please see: Discovery of the Transcripts
For an introduction to the trail, see Introduction
For a list of witnesses, see List of Witnesses

Submissions from 1911 1911

Complete Transcript of Triangle Fire

Vol. 1, sec. 1 (pp. 1 -80) Nov. 20 – Dec. 6, 1911. Opening statement by Mr. Bostwick for the People (prosecution), outlining theory of the case. Witness James Wiskeman, civil engineer, gives long description of physical layout of the factory building

Vol. 1, sec. 2 (pp. 81-151) Testimony by firefighters and police officers as to what they saw and did on the day of the fire. Adjourned to Dec. 7

Vol. 1, sec. 3 (pp. 151-228) Testimony by firefighters and police continued

Vol. 1, sec. 4 (pp. 229-360). Testimony by factory workers. Adjourned to Dec. 11

Vol. 1, sec. 5 (pp. 361-536). Testimony by female workers

Vol. 1, sec. 6 (pp. 537-673). Continues with female workers’ testimony, Dec. 11-12, 1911. Adjourned to December 13

Vol. 2 (pp. 677-1996). “Library notes” by researcher: summaries and long excerpts of testimony by workers about Margaret Schwartz’s death in the fire; engineers, laborers, and hardware dealer about condition of door casing, handrail, lock; and co-defendant/owner Max Blanck about his actions on day of fire

Vol. 3, sec. 1 (pp. 1211-1290). Trial resumed December 19, 1911. Defendants’ witnesses: Commissioner of Labor describes inspection procedure for Triangle factory; testimony of building superintendent about testing hose, lighting conditions; testimony of supplier re physical layout of factory

Vol. 3, sec. 2 (pp. 1291-1407). Testimony of porters and sewing machine operators re string on lock in door; extensive arguing between attorneys, December 19-20

Vol. 3, sec. 3. (pp. 1408-1507). Testimony of traveling theater owner, lace salesman, porter, sewing machine operator re whether door was locked

Vol. 3, sec. 4 (pp 1508-1600) December 20-21, 1911. Testimony by painter who refurbished building; testimony by superintendent, who describes layout of premises; testimony of department store buyer, Singer sewing machine representative, paper remover, forelady

Vol. 3, sec. 5 (pp. 1601-1662). Testimony of sewing machine operator, embroidery seller, shipping clerk, forelady, assistant shipping clerk, machinist

Vol. 3, sec. 6 (pp. 1663-1802). Testimony by William Greenspan, former employee; testimony by workers: sewing machine operators, stenographer, pocket-book inspector, shipping supervisor, foreladies, stock supervisor, button marker, buttonhole maker

Vol. 3, sec. 7 (pp. 1803-1901). Testimony by workers; and by Isaac Harris, co-defendant/owner, who describes earlier fires, petty thefts by workers, inspection of pocket-books, layout of premises

Vol. 4, sec. 1 (p. 2053-2204). Summation by attorney for defendants (Mr. Steuer), describing testimony of selected witnesses, possibility of perjury

Vol. 4, sec. 2 Summation by attorney for prosecution (Mr. Bostwick), describing witness testimony, reliability, physical evidence

Vol. 4, sec. 3 Instructions by judge to jury; verdict