Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-19
FORBIDDEN TO LAUNCH THE
GALVESTON.

If the cruiser Galveston is launched
at the Trigg yards at Richmond Monday,
as scheduled it will be in violation of the
mandate Of the Virginia courts and by
force of arms on the part of the govern
ment. Admiral Bowles, chief of con-
struction in the Navy Department. has
already asked the opinion of the Attor-
ney-General IT troops cannot be employed
to protect the cruiser from interference.
The legal complications, already vexa-
tons, were doubly added to Yesterday
when JudSe Grinnan, of the Chancery
Court, of that city, in which court the
receiver of the Trigg yards was appointed.
issued an injunction restraining Lieuten-
ants Thesis and Groesdeck, of the United
States navy, who have charge of the ar
engagements of the launching, restrain
ing them from interfering with the ship
Mr.. L. T. Meyers, general manager of
the Trigg works and receiver undert he
court, represented to the court that great
injustice would be done the creditors
OF the Trigg company to remove
this vessel, and also to the Trigg
company, which he believed would
soon effect a reorganization and be
ready to complete the contract. The
ship is about 90 per cent. completed ana
was to have been launched Monday and
then taken to Norfolk and finished BY
the government at the navy yard there.
The naval officials in Ricnmand will
not express an opinion. They are waiting
for further orders. 1t remains TO be
seen whether the government will come
in direct conflict with the State and use
force to secure the ship.
1t is stated in Washington that proper
respect will be shown the mandate of the
courts so long as they keep within their
jurisdiction, but that the Navy Depart-
ment cannot submit to an interference
with its rights. The cruiser Galveston
at Richmond, it was added, will be
launched when ready. Secretary Moody
is not at all disposed to act hastily re-
garding the Galveston, but indefinite
delay upon the construction of that yes
sci in the event of an international
emergency might prove a grave matter
and the department, therefore, feels
bound to proceed with the work as
rapidly as possible. 1t is hoped that
the vessel will be in condition for launch
ing next Monday afternoon. Secretary
Moody was informed last night of the
action of the Richmond court restraining
the government from further work ON
the Galveston, but declined to talk Oh
the subject until after conference to be
held today with the President and the
Attorney General. Attorney General
Knox also was unwilling to be quoted
in the matter until his opinion rendered
to the President as to the jurisdiction of
the government over the Galveston has
been made public 1t is stated how
ever, that the Attorney General regards
as eminently well taken the contention
advanced by Rear Admiral Bowles, chief
of the bureau of construction and repair
that no court has the right to interfere
with work on war vessel and that the
government would be warranted in call
ing federal troops to protect its agents
engaged in such work. Instructions
have been sent to Lieutenant Thesis and
Naval Constructor Groesdeck, in charge
of the work on the Galveston, TO pro-
coed with all possible dispatch in the
effort to get the ship ready for launching
on Monday.