The age-herald., 1901-09-12
SCH[EY COURT
 Of INQUIRY
 MEETS TODAY
Greatest Naval Trial in History About to Begin in
 Washington

Washington, September ii. All the members of the schley court of inquiry are in Washington, Rear Admiral Howl son, the third member, arriving last night. The impression at the Navy Department now is that the taking of testimony will not begin tomorrow, although hat was the original expectation. No summons has yet been issued for Admiral Sampson and 1t Is said that very few summonses have been issued by the department.
 Although no positive statement on that point Is made. 1t is gathered from the at tttude of the government officers that they have no present intention of calling Admiral Sampson.
 At 1 o'clock the members of the court will be seated. The judge advocate first will address the court and read the pre- cept under which 1t Is convened. The next step will be the recognition Of coun- sel by the court, and Captain Lemley will then introduce MT. Hulzeat as the off cial stenographer. Then will come the most interesting part of the days pro- ceed1ng, namely, the challenging of Ad- miral Schley's counsel for the compe- tency of Rear Admiral Howison as a member of the court.
 Charge Against Howison.
 They will reiterate the charge that Ad- miral Howfson had expressed an opinion adverse to Admiral Schley, and it will be the object of counsel to support thi. charge by affidavits and perhaps by oral testimony. The expectation Is that an hour or two will be consumed in areu. ment directed to the two members of the court, whose competency is not question: ed. Adm1rals Dewey and Benham then will retire and determan whether or not the statements presented are sufficient to make manifest tho incompetenoy of Rear Admiral Howison.
 There will be no appeal from the decis- ion of the court on this point. Even the secretary of the navy could not undo it's work Capt Francis A. Cook, who com manded the Brooklyn during the West In> dian campaign, probably will be the first witness. The headquarters of Admiral Schley was a scene of great activity to- day.
 Five Witnesses Consulted.
 Up to noon five of the witnesses named by the Admiral had been in consultation with Messrs. Wilson and Raynor, and had informed them of the line of testi- mony which can be expected from them when called before the court. They were Lieut.. Edward E. Eberle, Lieut.. Albert A. Alderman, Lieut.. Johnson and Lieut. Com. R. F. Nicholson, all of whom were on the Oregon during the Santiago fight, and Lieut.. Charles Webster, wno was on Admiral Schleys flagship, the Brooklyn, during. the fight.
 This afternoon additional witnesses were examined and Admiral Schley and his counsel say they are in complete read ines for the opening of what Is looked on as one of the greatest naval trials in history.
 Formal Challenge Completed.
 Admiral Schley's counsel during the ev- ening completed the formal challenge to Admiral Howison. This is a very brief document, and, according to counsel, will be supported by several witnesses. who will be ready to appear tomorrow. includ- ing MT. Frost of the Boston Record. which printed the alleged interview of Admiral Howison. Counsel during the ev- ening examined George E. Graham oi Albany, N. Y., the newspaper corres- pondent who was on Admiral Schley's flagship during the Santiago campaign and went over the lines of his testimony with him.