Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-21
Conjecture Over Morning Conference
at Navy Department.
Was ABOUT ADMIRAL H0WISON
He is Said to Have Expressed No
Opinions on SchIey Case.
PREPARING COURT ROOM

1t is expected that an important an
nouncement will be made at the Navy De-
partment late this afternoon regarding off,
cial correspondence in the matter of the
selection Of Admiral Howison for service
on the Schley court of inquiry.
This announcement is said to be the re-
suit OF conference held this morning at
the department between Mr.. Hackett, act
ing secretary Of the navy; Admiral
Crowninshieid and Lieut.. Ward of the
navigation bureau and Solicitor Hanna Of
the office Of the Judge advocate general Of
the navy. The conference was held behind
closed doors In Mr.. Hackett's office. and
at It's conclusion the gentlemen participat-
ing therein were closely questioned as to
it's character, but none of them would
divulge any facts in it's connection. Mr..
Hackett, however, stated shortly after
ward that in all probability the depart
ment would give something oa,t later in
regard to the Howison controversy He
declined when questioned to state the ex-
act nature of the announcement expected
to be made.
A great deal of conjecture was indulged
in at the department following this confer
ence and 1t was learned from an apparent
ly reliable source that the statement TO De
given out will contain part of the cor
respondence between the department and
Admiral Howison prior to the latter's Sc
d
quiry, and also letters between the depart
ment and counsel for Admiral SchIey re-
lating to the same matter.
Stringent Precautions Taken.
This correspondence, it was stated, will
show that in the matter of the selection
of Admiral Howison the department exer-
cised the most stringent precautions in de-
termining whether that officer harbored
any bias or prejudice likely to affect the
outcome of the case 1t is the custom OF
the department in the selection of officers
for service on the usual courts of inquiry
to use ordinary means of ascertaining II
any prejudice exists, but in the present
case extraordinary proceedings were
adopted Admiral Howison was commune
Gated with and questioned most minutely
on this subject, and his reply indicated that
he had absolutely no feeling either one way
or the other in the matter.
He is on perfectly friendly terms with
both Admira!s Schley and Sampson; had
never expressed up to that time any
opinion as to what he thought the merits
of the case were, and had never seen the
official record Of the subject or its appur-
tenances. That he is friend TO both of
fcers Is evidenced by the simple fact OF
his acceptance of service on the court.
Naval etiquette in all instances of this
nature demands that in case a prospective
member Of a court Is not friendly with
either of the parties involved he shall ask
to be excused from service upon the court.
In regard to the matter of giving pub
lcity to certain correspondence between
the department and Admiral Schley and
his counsel as to the acceptability of Ad-
mral Howison as a member of the court 1t
will be shown, according to a statement
afioat today, that at the time the selec-
ton was made Admiral Schley stated that
the choice was entirely agreeable to him
and that he was perfectly satisfied to have
Admiral Howison appointed a member OF
the court. This statement, however, was
made prior to the publication Of the al
legged interview with Admiral Howison In
Boston newspaper, which was the cause
of the inquiry made yesterday by Ad-
mral Schley's counsel regarding the publi-
cation.
Speculation Over the Letter.
1t cannot be learned from the depart
ment whether the communication submit
ted by Admiral Schley and his counsel in
closing the alleged interview and asking
whether it was authentic or not has been
sent to Admiral Howison. In view of the
statement which Is expected to be an
nouncced this afternoon every indication
points to the fact that it has not been for
warded. There is no official proof that the
letter has not been forwarded, however,
SO that all talk in this connection is pure
ly cOnjectural.
1t would seem that the department in
making it's anticipated statement late this
afternoon has but one object in view, and
that is to point out that there is really no
Admiral Howison, as requested. The admi-
raj, 1t will be recalled, recently denied un-
officially that the interview was correct.
Acting Secretary Hackett stated this
morning that Capt Lemly, judge advocate
of the court. would be in Washington on
Friday. telegram from Capt. Lemly to
that effect was received today. Capt Lem
ly upon his arrival here Is expected to be-
gin work at once upon the task Of COM
piling complete list of witnesses to be
summoned before the court. This list,
copy OF which was requested by Admiral
Schley and his counsel, will be commune
Gated to those gentlemen as soon as 1t is
prepared.
Making Ready the Court Room.
Rear Admiral Endicott chief Of the bu-
reau Of yards and docks, has given orders
for the preparation Of the court room at
the navy yard. One corner Of the room Sc
lected will be partitioned off as retiring
room for the court. The court will sit at
this end. and tables will be prepared for
representatives Of the press either inside
the railing with the court or directly out
side the railing, which will be run across
the room SO as to divide 1t into one-third
and two-thirds, respectively The tables
Will run transversely, and to prevent con-
1uslon the newspapers represented will be
assigned permanent seats. In the rear OF
the room chairs will be provided for the
spectators. who will be admitted by card.
No attempt will be made at decorating the
room and the furnishings will be of the
plainest description.
WILL. REc MADE USEIEsS