Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-28
THE NAVAL COURT OF INQUIRY.
Capt. Phythian and Other Witnesses Elk.
amined.

amined.
THE CAPTAIN TELLS ABOUT THE PHYTHrAN BILL
AND THE LINE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
cowIE REcALLED-HE SAYS THE ARRANGEMENT
WITH THOMAS WAS WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE
OR CONSENT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
Capt. Robert L. Phythian, superintendent of
the naval observatory, was the first witness be-
fore the naval court of inquiry this morn
ing, which convened at 10 o'clock. He said he
wasaware Of the existence Of the line officers
ISOLATION, which, however, he thought, could
hardly be called an Organization" having no
regulations as to membership, but which is
formed annually by the meeting Of line officers
and the election of a central committee.
This year, as far as the witness knew, the
committee has received no instructions.
The membership Of the organization depends
upon whether or not the line officers are in ac-
cord with the action taken bv the committee.
For instance, explained the witness, the COM
mittee is now considering the Mason bill and
the Cowie bill. If they should agree to ap-
prove both or either OF those measures /, for
one, would not be member"
CAPT. PHYTHIAN TELLS HOW HE CAME TO DRAFT A
BILL
Capt. Phythian knew of no efforts to solicit
money beyond the Thomas circular. He had
known we'll that the Cowie bill would meet with
opposition from the engineer corps, to which
it was manifestly unjust And when this was
plain he (the witness) undertook to draft a bill
which should be just to all branches OF the
service. He had framed the bill after consul
tation with officers of the different corps
and had then submitted it for approval
to committee of four representative officers,
who are now considering it. These are Com
mander Chester selected by witness, Medical
Director Wells, Paymaster Kenny and Assist
ant Engineer Bieg. the last three named by the
chiefs or assistant chiefs of their bureaus
They have in their consideration of the bill
changed it somewhat in some small matters of
detail as to rank, but the principles of the bill
remain as they were first drafted.
CONFERENCE WITH SECRETARY TRACY.
Before had taken any steps in relation to
the bill had two conversations with the Sec
rotary of the Navy in relation to the subject
In the first told him that thought had pre-
pared a satisfactory bill to all branches of the
service and asked him if he would want me to
submit it to him before or after introduction.
He did not give me a final answer but said he
would see me again. Before the second inter-
view, however IL occurred to me that it would
be an advisable thing to hold a meeting OF all
officers of the navy to obtain an expression
upon the merits of the bill in order to show the
Secretary that the bill met with the approba-
ton OF the entire service.
THE SECRETARY STOPS THE PROPOSED MEETING
OF NAVAL OFFICERS.
II waited upon the Secretary" continued
Capt. PhytbIan, land informed him of our in
tention to have meeting, and was going on to
explain the objects OF the proposed meeting
when he said that he did not think that it
would be either advisable or proper for naval
officers to meet and discuss legislation pending
investigation upon the Chandler resolution.
The meeting did not take place."
THE CAPTAIN EXPLAINED
to the court that it was his purpose to intro
duce the bill agreed upon through the Secre-
tary if he wished, if not, through the chairman
of the two naval committees. as the measure
best representing the wishes of the services,
and that no attempt should be made to in
fiuence legislation on the bill other than to
make arguments before the committees or SUBJ
committees in favor of the passage of the
bill. 1t seemed he went on to say, to be the
object of Mr.. Chambers resolution to indicate
a desire on the part of Congress that officers
should not employ outside talent to represent
them, but that they should depend upon them
selves. This the officers have decided to do.
The movement in favor Of the PhythIan bill,
he said, was In no sense an organization.
''Have You ever known of the employment of
illegitimate means for the furthering of the
purposes of naval officers in regard to legisla-
tion?" asked Mr.. Loring.
''NeverI' was the answer.
LIEUT.. BEATTY RECALLED.
When Capt. Phythian was excused, at about
II o'clock, the court took an informal recess of
ten minutes to enable Commodore Greer to
run across the hall to peep into the retiring
II
well as the court and he has to watch it at
times. Lieut.. Beatty, the treasurer of the
executive committee of the line officers asso-
citation, recalled to the stand. He testified
that he had possession of S848.44 belonging to
the association. which had been turned over to
him as an unexpended balance by the last treas
urer. The accounts had heen finally audited this
morning. These funds were for the purpose
OF defraylng any expenses that might be in
CURED by the present committee. Seven dol
lars of this sum. the witness said, was only re-
Gently received, being an old debt to the asso-
citation hanging over from last year.
''Well, don't suppose that you could buy
Congressman with thatr' laughed Mr. Loring
The next witness was Pay Director James d.
Murray, who had no knowledge of any naval
organizations.
While the court waited for the next man Mr..
Cowle. attired in citizens clothes, put his head
into the court room. Commodore Greer said
that he would be wanted by the court,
and the other responded that he would
hurry upstairs and put on his uni
form. "You needn't put any more than
your coat" suggested the president, and then,
as smile ran around the court room, he
added, lin addition to your other things."
Chief Engineer Thorn Williamson. superin-
tendent of the State, War and Navy Department
building, was called to the stand. He said that
he knew of no formal organizations. He had
no knowledge of the employment of counsel by
any body of officers for the purpose of represent
ing them before Congress.
NOT MADE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF
THE SECRETARY.
Paymaster Cowie was recalled and reminded
that his previous oath was still binding.
"Was the arrangement with Mr. Thomas in
connection with the Cowie bill made with the
knowledge and consent Of the Secretary of the
Navy?" asked Commodore Greer.
mo. sir"
Neither with his knowledge nor consent?"
suggested Mr.. Lorng.
No, SIR" and then Mr.. Cowie was excused
and he made haste to get started for Newport.
Admiral Harmony is wanted by the court
but he has gone out Of town on light house
inspection trip and is not imme diately availa-
BILE. He will be summoned, however, for to-
morrow morning, by which time it is expected
he will return. AS he is the only remaining
witness the court had nothing more to do to-
day than to adjourn at 11:30.