The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-24
DEAL BEACH INQUIRY.
CONCLUSION OF THE TREASURY. INVESTIGATION
OF THE CONDUCT OF KEEPER yASEoTE, OF
LIFE SAVING STATION NO. 6-sTATEMENT on
SUPERINTENDENT HAvENs


OF THE CONDUCT OF KEEPER vASNorE, OF
LIFE SAVING STATION NO. 6-sTATEaiEST ov
SUPERINTENDENT HAvESs.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
AsBuRy PARK, Dec. %, 1873.
The investigation closed tonight with the test-
mony of John G. W. Ravens OF Bricksburg. He said
he is superintendent of four life saving districts,
comprising the stations the coast of New Jersey
knows Russell White; he recommended to
witness for keeper of station: knows nothing
against Russell White regards honesty and
citizen; the keeper Of station No. told
witness that White had deserted his post; the
impression he received from the community as re-
CARDS White is that he courageous and daring surf
man; on December 30 1877, did not go to station No.
and say to Russell White that glad to hear that
his name was in the papers for going TO the wreck OF
the Rukan before the life saving arrived did not
say it would not take much throw the Life Saving
Service into the navy have had conversations with
him about making him keeper of No. 6 ever since l
have been superintendent; felt well dispose toward
him. except that he went upon the the night
of the Rusand wreck AID worked on her afterwarl.
as stated by Mr.. Allen; represented to him
that would my influence for him his brother.
because had power; did not talk with White
about the probable transfer of the Life Saw
ing Service to the Navy Department until after
the wreck of the Rlnkan; that after December,
1876: think was in Asbury Park in 1878 and was at
the wreck of the Eta NJ Tucker after the passengers
landed: that day the captain of the Eta Nj.
Tucker was at the Philadelphia House. and he stated
that the crew of the life saving station did
than he expected of them i'll saving the lives OF his
men, after that received telegram that the captain
OF the Tucker wanted to see me ut Asbury Park;I
met him: he said that he had seen false statements
in the newspapers and he wished to correct them,
and he he captain) made affidavit to the statement
here shown The letter has already been published
in the HERALD.)
Counsel for White objected the letter being made
part of the record of this case The committee
Piled that they did not consider it would take any
part in the record so far as concerned Russell White
and Van Note, but they brought the letter out to
certain how that letter obtained by the Superin
tendent of the coast.
WHY WHITE WAS NOT APPOINTED
Witness resumed-I do not remember If had any.
thing to do with the preparation of that letter;
know had not; ! think it was given to me by the
captain and officers signing it, had no hand in its
preparation nor did make any suggestion as to what
it should or ought to contain; had settled in my
mind about appointing Russell White as keeper after
he had deserted his post; do not remember If
made statement to Superintendent Kimball about
when Alien was about 70 resign nothna abou
his resignation until received 1t; think made
appointment forthwith; knew that White had rode
on the cars on his beat before that appointment
was made; before making that appointment
Of the present keeper ! had settled to
deserving his post; had thought OF the qualifications
of John Slocum for the position of keeper; do not
remember hearing that Slocum did not want the po-
sition before appointed the present keeper; after
the resignation of Abner Allen and before vannote
was appointed had no conversation with Slocum
about giving him the place.
q. Did you represent to Superintendent Kimball
that Russell White was utterly incompetent to be
keeper A. Do not remember
g. Did you not predict great injury to tho Life Saw
ing Service should he be appointed? A. believe
Q. If an employee of the Life Saving Service secures
other work in fair weather docs it injure the Life
Saving Service? A. II would not
Q. Did you assist Mr. Vannote in the preparation
OF the petition for his appointment getting sig
natures? A. Think I told him when the papers
came out about him that he ought to protect
himseli oaght to if didn't; went TO
the wreck Of the z. H. Atwood next day. Mr..
Ravens then identified the wreck report giving
full credit to Russell and Samuel White Tor rescuins
the crew and making them comfortable, signed by
vannote, and saying that the government crew was
since 1875 receives his orders from tho Secretary Of
the Treasury; does not know that any recommends
ton for the appointment of keeper had been
ceived from Superintendent Kimlall.
TARDY PETITION.
O. Are you IN the habit OF receiving directions
| from him? A. have in regard to Russell White;
| think his suggestion to appoint Russell White
tsensaton), unless could And better man it WAS
since Vannote was made keeper; that appointment
September 26 1877; heard of petition going to
Washington in favor of Russell White after that; Z
take no notice of petitions not going through my
@. Did you receive a letter from Mr. Kimball mem
tionng Russell White before the wreck Of the Eta NJ
Tucker? A. don't know il have it in my package.
O. win you look for it? A. will not.
| q. Did You receive letter from Mr. Kimban sd-
| White? A. do not think did, IL did receive such
letter do not think recognized it directing
| to do it.
g. Have you not repeatedly said to Superintendent
Kimball, officially. that Russell White was At
man? A. have: that is my duty; thought he was
good enough as surfman, but not good enough for
keeper after he deserted his post by working the
HUSBAND; made no charge against him.
Q. Did you notify Superintendent Kimball that
vannote had not i'll the boat to the wreck of the
Tucker? A. don't remember; but in regard to the
work done there if had been keeper should have
done as Vannote did-left two good men shore. IL
had to stay there myself, think; l know vannote
stayed on the shore.
Lieutenant Shoemaker testified follows:-It was
the intention at one time to remove Vannote, and
think Superintendent Ravens had that order but be-
fore it could be served it countermanded by q
telegram from the department at Washington,
count of Of people in this part of the
country and the official representations by Coast SUI
perintendent Ravens.
The committee then closed its examination. Tho
record il to be laid before the General superintendent
OF the Life Saving Service and Secretary Of tha
Treasury.