The herald., 1895-07-09
BY THE SECRETARY
The Finding Of the Courtmartial
Severely Criticised
LIEUTENANT DORM IS SILENT
Although Stung by the Lash Of the NAVY
Department
He Refuses to Answer His Superior Officer.
His Brother Officers Are Not So Retlcent
and Talk Freely

Lieutenant Edwin ]. Dorm, ordnance
officer OF the United States cruiser Olym-
pia has been exonerated from all charges
of culpable negligence brought against
him for the Santa Barbara accident.
This news will no doubt bring happi-
ness to many OF his friends residing in
this city. and was very welcome to his
mother and sister. who have occupied
prominent positions in Los Angeles soci-
ETY. for several years.
Lieutenant Dorm, it will be remembered,
was in charge Of the ordnance depart
ment of the speedy cruiser at the time of
the accident while anchored off Santa
Barbara some months ago. During prac-
tice drill the breech OF a rapid-fring gun
blew out. killing the coxswaln of the
piece. Gunner Johnson. On inspection
the glycerine tank attached to tho carri-
age of the gun, which is designed to abb
sorb the force OF the recoil, was found to
be empty. court martial was ordered
ana convened at Mare island, resulting in
his acquittal.
Secretary Herbert, however, in review
ing the case, showed that he manifestly
disapproved the verdict, but at the same
time did not take any steps to reverse it.
Ill IcNlCWluE tAC CdSC, Ac StlQs ne Qe-
partment cannot approve a decision
which seems to hold that in case like
this an ordnance officer is not responsible
simply becase the regulations in SO manv
words do not make Inn so. Responsible
ty and authority go together. An officer
exercises control over and superintend-
ence of all who are beneath him. If the
duties are required to be performed in his
department. of the ship, it is his duty to
perform them. or to see that it is done.
can officer placed in charge of any de-
partment of vessel is supposed to be
equal to all exigencies that may arise.
Within his limits he must have liberty of
action. and duties like Gtat which were
neglected in this case may often be oblig
ed to devolve by order upon one or anoth-
er; but 1t is no excuse to say that he was
very busy, that he had many duties to
perform.
Lieutenant Dorm does not even show
that he directed any person to examine
and fill this recoil Jcy Under before the fir
get practice. He rested confidently in the
belief that this cylinder had been filled
twenty three days before by the work.
men. The drill book forbade HIM to rest
on any such belief. 1t declares that an
examination should be made immedi-
ately preceding target practice. 1t is
abundantly proven that the accused was
a Jealous and faithful officer, but fidelity
and zeal IN other directions cannot ex-
cuse such negligence as has been exhib-
tied IN his case"
This caustic curtain lecture from the
secretary of war has given rise to much
comment among the brother officers of
the accused lieutenant. Dorm positively
refuses to criticise his superior In the ac-
tlon he has seen fit to pursue. but the
others are not so retIcent.
Among other comments they assert
that Secretary Herbert overstepped his
duty in the matter, and that he should
have merely approved or disapproved the
finding of the court of investigation.
1t is claimed that the cylinder was in
spected by subordinate officer and
should have been full. The only method
of determining its condition was by
opening a tiny valve and allowing the en-
tire contents to run out. The material
with which these cylinders are filled is so
per cent glycerine and 20 per cent water.