The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-13

APPREHENSION cAl5lo anohb thc ~
partment employees that they may
jeopard.ze TIA FIR positions by testily'AB
before The Jury. 10 seems hardly neces-
sarv for me 10 say that such apprahen-
sion IS entirely grOundless but 20 alidy
any such fear as may exist i beg TO in
form you that 40 enploye OF the Depart
mcnt Will endaugcr his position ln any
way on account OF amy such testim NY
given before the corOncrs jury IN inns
case"
Mr. Carter was asked by Mr.. Warner
about the feeling between Colonel Aims
worth and his clerks, but Dr. 5haeiIer
interrupted, saying that the investigation
must be confined TO the cause Of the
calamity. MIR. Warner replied with some
feeling that great many eNt."heou7
subjects had been introduced ana some
OF them had showed bitter ieehng
against Colonel AinswOrth lie thought
ne had right TO ask this question IN
order 20 satisfy his mind whether there
was or was not any prejudice ON the part
Of the witnesses that would cause them
TO do injustice TO officers Of the Govern
meut
This furry passed over, and Mr.. carter
said In answer 10 q question that there
had been q common rumOr among the
clerks that the building was insecure.
He had heard casual comments about
the insecurity Of the building while the
excavation was being made, and only the
other day-Juue 81 or 4th, he supposed
Wnliam Schreiber. who was killed in the
/ disaster, said TO him, pointing 10 the
| excavation, Carter ] see they are dig
/ giug your grave" Both Schreiber and
! Muuedy. who were killed. had frequently
spoken to him about the dangerous condl-
| tion Of the building.
II -
! had been warned by a messenger nearly
| every afternoon TO 90 carefully on the
! stairs.
Mr.. Brown was asked n there was any
/ fear ON the part Of the clerks that they
/ would De disturbed n they protested
! against remaining I'm the building. eyes.
/ SIR" ne answered: and then quickly
| added: II decline 20 answer that ques-
{ ton"
"On what grounds do you decline tor
asked DR. Schacher.
con the ground Of my own position
"Did you hear the letter Of the Secre-
/ tary OF War read promising protection
| 10 clerks who testi6edT'
eyes. sir" was the answer. 'I do not
| fear Colonel AinswOrth for he has done
| me two favors but I DO fear Mr.. Frech'
/ Cwh0m Mr.. Thompson called colonel
/ Ainsworth's right bower').
sir Brown finally decided 20 answer
/ the original question. He said there was
| much feeling about the insecurity Of the
! building. and great many clerks, him
| self among them. would have protested,
/ n they had had courage to do so, against
| being kept in the old theatre.
what had the clerks 20 apprehend?'
"Discharge,' said Mr.. Brown.
James A. Long. another clerk, had felt
/ so insecure since the excavation begun
| that he had secured leave of absence and
| applied FOR insurance on his Hfe.
Albert ~ Crosby, a third floor clerk,
was not allowed to finish his testimony.
| While lie was being examined man
| walked slowly 10 a place behind Colonel
, Ainsworths chair and said something
/ in such loud voice that it brought a
/ warning "Sh-h." from some Of those
| present. But the man was not 20 De
! hueicd
He stepped forward. and standing be-
/ hind and directly over Colonel AiusWorth,
/ cried i'm a voice trembling with passion;
"You murdered my brother. and I'd like
| TO know what right YOU have 10 sit here
/ and intimidate Witnesses"
There was moments silence after this
passionate outburst and then q wild
shout Of approval. Colonel Aiusworth
sat calmly I'm his chair, without even
turning his head 10 see who denounced
him. Lieutenant Amiss, of the police
force. walked over to the disturber and
pushed him toward a doorway. "Who is
heo' asked some one. ellis name is
/ Charles G.. Banes. whose brother was
killed" was the answer from a dozen
] clerks. Banes is a real estate agent
THE shouts of the Government clerks
present continued. That's right "He
| did it." "Put him out" were the indorse-
meuts Of the accusation of Banes. Some
men were ON their feet. and it looked for
"a minute that Colonel AinswOrth was
iu danger But sharp words from the
police lieutenant finally brought quiet.
Before the witness was allowed 90 pro-
coed Mr. B. H. Warner one of the jurors
and q wealthy citizen of Washington
suggested 10 the coroner that the episode
that had just occurred showed the eN-
istence of a feeling that could best oe
silcnced by the withdrawal or parues
against whom it was directed.
81 mention no names said Mr. war
ncr "but simply make the suggestion
that the party most concerned Sloull
Withdraw as a party. There is belief
9mour many of those here that his pres
ence serves as an intimidation 10 VII
uesses.'
There is a feeling here which does not
braak ONT but which is nevertheless
on and J. therefore. object 10 the pres
eoce TO any person who is likely 10 De
blamed for participation in this auair.
Loud applause followed Mr. Warner
remarks. and Dr. Shaeffer whispered "a
request to Colonel AiusWorth TO WIN
draw. lie refused to DO so, however ana
the coroner turning TO the jury sA'u
he had mo- right TO exclude from inc near
ing any person who was hHeiy lo DV
party 20 the verdict
Juror Hanvey said me had been told 10y
half "a dozen clerks that they had been
afraid TO testify. and would have refused
10 do SO but for the letter Of the Secre-
tary of War
Mr. Ross Perry as the representative
of Colonel Ainsworth, arose To make
some remarks ou the subject. and bis
nrst words was signal for the most eN-
cltuG incident of the day.
Tuuer Fitch. am old whifc-haired clerk
of the record and pension division start-
cd the trouble. "Sit dow he shouted
Your am outsider and have mo right
here protest against am outsider speak
ing here'
"Sit down sit down echoed his fei-
loe clerks iu voices tHat were not re-
strained Fitch cried out something about
murder" and his words were echoed
from every part Of the hall Record and
pension division clerks were on their feet
trying 90 make speeches. as though
public meeting was being held. All this
time Mr.Pcrry stood immoVable. and when
tbo 1proar had Quietcd somewhat. Doe
appealed 90 the crowd 20 let him speak.
IL appeal 90 you as American citizens