The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-21
AN ELUSIVE WITNESS LIST.
Admiral Schley's Counsel Find the
Document Hard to Secure.
Acting Secretary Hackett Forwards
the Request for 1t to Captain Lem
Iy in Canadn-A Weeks Delay in
Conference.-The Howison Matter

Acting Secretary Hackett yester-
day received Admiral Schley's let
ter making formal request for
the list OF witnesses WHO VIII
be called by the Navy Department to
testify to the charges made against him
in the precept. Mr.. Hackett, who has
made the point that the matter is now
in the hands of the judge advocate OF
the Court of Enquiry. and not with the
Navy Department at once forwarded the
request to Captain Lemly, who Is now
in Canada The list will be furnished to
Admiral Schley as soon as IT can go
through this channel, but as Captain
Lemly will not return to Washington I'M
til next Monday. it will probably be
week before Admiral Schley and his
counsel are advised of the names of the
men who are to give testimony before
the court. As yet Admiral Schieys coun-
sci have not been provided with the
names of any of the witnesses, not even
those who, it is admitted. have been sum
moned-those who are at distance and
will require considerable time in getting
to Washington The names of several OF
these witnessed have been published from
time to time, Eat Admiral Schiey has not
been advised officially that anyone VIII
appear against him at the Court of En-
quiry.
1t is understood that Admiral Schley
made the request for the list OF Witness
es as matter of right, rather than of
courtesy His counsel insist that he is
entitled to know before the hearing be-
gins just who is to be called to testify.
The DEPARTMENT acknowledges that he has
this right. but a month has elapsed since
the court was ordered. and he has not yet
been told who are expected to substanti-
ate the charges made against his con-
duct sr.-..
Accompanying this request from Admir-
al Schley was the latter's letter regarding
the all sd interview with Admiral How
ison. to which Admiral Schley formally
called Mr.. Hackett's attention. and asked
that he forward an enquiry to Admiral
Howison regarding the matter, and advise
him tSchley) of the reply.
Mr. Hackett would not state yesterday
what disposition had been made of this
letter, or the request made by Admiral
Schley. 1t is understood, however. that
he has communicated with Secretary
Long upon the subject. and that no action
will be taken until the chief of the Navy
Department directs. The department is
averse to relieving Admiral Howison after
the difficulty which experienced In
selecting a successor to Admiral kimber-
iy, but there is little doubt that he will
be relieved If 1t is clearly known that he
made the statements contained in the al
legged interview Under the regulations
of the department he would be subject
to peremptory challenge by Admiral
Schley. This right will be exercised I'M
less the interview is proven to be fabri-
cation. 1t is thought, however. that,
rather than embarrass the department,
Admiral Howison viii voluntarily ask to
be relieved from serving upon the court.
Then the department will have to under
take the laborious task of ..3ding another
rear admiral to sit upon the court.
Captain Parker was at the department
yesterday and had several conferences
with Mr.. Hackett regarding the court.
and especially in reference to the list Of
witnesses.
The following are known to be upon Ad
miral Schley's witness list. and have been
summoned at his request: Rear Admiral
Watson, Rear Admiral Barker. Captain
Cook. Captain Clark Lieutenant Com
mander F. H Sherman. and Lieutenant
Edward McCauley.
Manager Marean. of the Western Union
"a lain
yesterday with the Acting Secretary re-
garding the installation of telegraphic IA
cilities in the courtroom at the navy yard,
where the hearing is to be held
Admiral Schley and his counsel. Cap
tain Parker and Judge Wilson. held an
other conference yesterday morning at the
Shoreham Hotel. which lasted until aft
er Il o'clock. Several papers of import
ance were gone over and number OF
points brought out Mr.. Rayner is in Bal
timore He will return to Washington on
Thursday. when other developments in
the case are looked for. In the mean
time Judge Wilson and Captain Parker
are hard at work on the case. outlining
the general plan of defence and arranging
evidence.
Admiral Schleys popularity was never
more completely demonstrated than by
the enormous amount Of mail which has
poured into the Arlington since his arrival
here II has been years since patron
of the hotel received so many letters and
packages as are being delivered daily to
the admiral Many of the letters are from
strangers, and contain brief expressions
of goodwill, and hope for success. Ad-
miral Schley sees few callers. He still
declines to make any statement of his
case.
DROWNED IN A BATH TUB.