The morning times., 1897-01-13
TRIAL OF ENSIGN COLEMAN
For Dis0bedience of Lawful Order
Of His Superior Officer.
Testimony Today Not Encouraging
for the Complainants-The Ac-
cused Conducts His Own Case.

The trial of Ensign Noah 7. Coleman
L. S. N, until recently steel Inspector
stationed at Harrisburg, for ''cuIpable
inefficiency in the performance OF duty
and "disobedience OF the lawful order OF
his superior officer AS alleged in the
charges. was resumed yesterday morning
at 10 O'Clock in the court-Inartial room
at the navy yard, Commander z. l.. Tanner
| presiding.
The case was conducted by Lieut.. II. L.
Draper as Judge advocate, Ensign l.. II.
Everett appearing to assist Ensign Cole
man in the conduct OF his side of the case.
All of the members of the court and those
| Interested iii the case appeared iii fun naval
uniform. ana tie trial was conducted with
! much dignity.
Ensign Coleman, the accused, acted as
| his own counsel, and interrogated the
| various witnesses. He appeared slightly
nervous and agitated, but at no time lost
his self-control.
He is a young man. with a smooth, boyiSh
| face. with sharp, pointed features, and
not altogether healthy appearance, which
| would seem TO bear out the defense which
| he is making against the serious charge
| preferred against him. that he was over
! worked. and in consequence not able to
completely perform the arduous duties
| which deyolved upon him.
The progress OF the trial today devcl.
| oped little toward showing why the orders
| OF the steel inspection board should not
| have been neglected.
The principal points brought out were
| favorable TO Ensign Coleman. They were
to the effect that his duties were heavy
and his conveniences for complying with
the orders Of his superior officers en-
! tirely inadequate for the capable perform
ance OF duty, When the court convened
this morning o considerable portion of the
time was spent in reviewing and correcting
the testimony given Yesterday, and long
wait was occaSioned by the absence OF
! witnesses who were to arrive from Harris
burg.
The first witness called was Capt. F.
W. Dickins, commander U. S. N, who
testified to the proficiency and good con-
duct of Ensign Coleman while on board
the training ships Mon0ngahcia and Essex,
Of which witness was commander. Capt.
Dickins stated that the young mans at
tention to duty was exemplary
Sailmate c. E. Winter, L. S. N, was next
called and stated that he had been as
signed TO duty blythe steel inspection board
with Ensign Coleman. He described the
manner in which the various tests were
| made, and the billets stamped, all of the
tests being performed blythe accused which,
including the time consumed in making
trips from Steclton to the various mills,
consumed about eight hours each day.
Witness stated that the office accom-
modationS of the ensign Were entirely in.
adequate and that he considered the ac-
cuSed had little time to attend to cor
resEondcnce except in his own private
room at night. He thought the board
sfond furnish d suitable office and clerical
aid. He considered Ensign Coleman to be
III delicate health.
Lieutenant Commander F. NJ. Wise, Z.
S. N, also testified to the good character
and onduct OF the accused.
Owing to the absence of other important
witnesses stationed at Harrisburg, an ad-
journmcnt was taken until late last even
ing. The trial will probably la st all day
today, when Lieutenant Commander Force,
Mr.. Sternberg and Mr.. Bent of the Penn
sylvadiia Steel Company will give testi-
mony.