Evening star., 1893-09-06
HE DESIRES seer ECY.
Captain Mitchell Appears to Be Running
His Own Investigation.
Reporters Are Not Wanted on the
the Charges Moves slowly.

The merry farce comedy Of an official In
Vestigation into revenue marine officers
conduct was continued on board the cutter
Crawford today. The story that was
printed in The Star yesterday was the sub
Ject OF much talk ON board and it is need
less to say that Capt Mitchell did not like
II at all. Today the same attempt at COM
plete secrecy was made that was tried SO
Intellectually yesterday.
The hearing was resumed at 10 O'Clock
this morning and continued in the after
noon after a couple Of hours recess. Capt.
Mitchell was still in command of the Craw-
ford, which lies at a wharf near the foot
ot eth street. IL he had pushed out In 10
mldstream for the day his efforts to be un-
disturbed by the newspaper men would
nave Deen rather more successful than they
were. The investigation is being held on
board Capt Mitchells ship ana in his own
private cabin. This is naturally q great
convenience to the accused as ii gives him
the chahce 10 run things TO suit himself
outside OF his own cabin and to keep any
one from knowing what goes on inside of
tnat star chamber.
Inc star reporter, who wrote the story of
she nearing yesterday. boarded the Craw-
i1ra inns afternoon. lie did not stay long
tain's orders.
Everything was quiet and serene about
the cutter when The Star man crossed over
tht gang plank. The captain was not In
Standing nm
the lower deck said that the ofticers S,srs
an at dinner. The reporter made his wav
70 the upper deck and there he was ioined
ia rev moments later by two officers who
told MIN politely that Capt. Mitchell had
ordered that no one should be allowed On
poaru excepting those who were connected
with the hearing.
Il am not the officer of the deck sa,a
one OF them. but the captains orders an
ply To all Of us. He directed thar If So,,
eaille "a ABOARD you should be ordered TO leave
q. az Shee. ne does not want you here and he
salu that Your presence on board yester-
oay AFTERNOON was against his will -
Det uttle headway was made with the
nearing this morning. The board were
given some little Information as to the al
legged dere,ictions Of the commanding Of
hcer OF the Crawford. The charges are
Ia.ner lengthy. and although there are a
nuinoer OF specifications they are an in
Guided IN the charges that relate to drunk
ehhess and the action of the CAPTAIN in
bringing the two women on board the shin
OF which lac was in command While the
oincers still remain with mouths firmly
CLOSED, IN obedience TO their connapder'e
orners, ana have nothing TO say as 10 what
goes on aboard, there is a feeling among
.i .he oincers in the Treasury Department
that the men who brought the charges
either have applied or will appiy TO the
secretary for the right to be present in
some onclal capacity at the hearing The
charges are understood to be based on the
statements OF the Junior officers of the
Crawford, and unless they have a chance
TO sustain them it will place them in the
very unpleasant position OF having brought
serious charges without any good reason.
yesterday afternoon The Star man made
formal request to be allowed to be rres-
ent at the hearing. He sent his card TO the
president of the board and n a few min
utes Capt. Mitchell came Up himself. He
was nervously fms erfng the pasteboard
ana did not seem to be in a very happy
frame Of mind.
Il am sorry" he said, but the presf-
dent OF the board desires me to state that
no one can be allowed into the -ab,n but
those who are directly connected with this
case"
Very good, sir. simply iesi-ed to make
the formal application. That was AL
The captain turned and went below. He
was half way down the ladder when he
turned and came back again.
By the way" said he, the president Of
the board desires me TO state that he would
prefer that nothing at all be printed about
No witnesses were heard at the afternoon
session, and what went on behind closed
doors on board of a government vessel
must remain a secret as far as the peopls
are concerned.