The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-20
Government Anxious to Avoid a Clash
with Virginia, and Will Not Use
Military Force.
MEETING OF THE CABINET
AT WHICH ATTORNEY GENERAL
KNOX SUBMITTED OPINION.
Twelve Other Warships Involved in
the Difficulties of the Builders
Combination.

Moody to-day received a dispatch from
Elizabethport, N. j., announcing the seiz-
ure by the sheriff of the cruiser Chatta-
nooga, now building at the yard of the
New York Shipbuilding Company, one of
the companies of the United States Ship
building Company. The secretary took the
telegram to the Cabinet meeting, where
the subject was discussed. Most of the
time of the Cabinet, however, was devoted
to consideration of the legal questions in
volved I'm the decision of the United States
government to disregard the decision Of
the court of Virginia and seize the incom-
plete gunboat Galveston at the Trigg ship
yards in Richmond. Attorney General
Knox presented opinion the subject
disregard the injunction granted yester-
day in the Virginia court, which forbids
the resumption of work on the Galveston
pending a settlement of the claim of the
sub-contractors, who have not been paid
for material furnished. In concluding his
opinion the attorney general says:
'One further point remains to be con-
sidered. The letter of the secretary of
the navy requests to be authorized to en-
ploy, If necessary, the military forces OF
the government at his disposal for the ex-
ecution of his orders in the premises. 1
am loath to believe that occasion for such
exertion of the federal powers will arise,
being confident that any attempt to inter-
fere with the natural rights under the judi
cial authority of Virginia will be promptly
disposed of by the Chancery Court For
this reason / shall defer answering that
question"
The Cabinet, after considering this opin-
ion. decided that the governments case
was sound and the programme outlined
yesterday by Mr.. Moody should be pur-
sued. An effort will be made therefore to
launch the boat next week, If circum-
stances permit. 1t is intimated that in
formation will be conveyed to the Virginia
justice who granted the injunction that
he has exceeded his proper functions and
1t Is expected that he will withdraw from
what the attorney general and the Presi-
dent regard as an untenable position, thus
avoiding any clash at Richmond.
MAY BE ADJUSTED.
BY the President and the members of the
Cabinet the action taken at the meeting is
regarded as of the highest Importance
The question raised Is new and almost
visers gave it the most careful consider
alton. 1t is understood that the opinion of
Attorney General Knox, submitted origi-
nally to the President and Cabinet, was
modified slightly before it was made pub
lie. 1t was stated yesterday on excellent
authority that the attorney general In his
opinion upheld the right Of the secretary
of the navy to use force, If necessary. to
~
garded by the Cabinet, 1t is said, to be
inexpedient to precipitate that question
at this time, as II was believed to be en-
tirely likely that a way could be found
amicably to adjust the apparent differ
ences between the Virginia Court of Chan
cery and the authorities of the government
Except to announce that the Galveston
matter is In the hands of the attorney gen.
eral and nothing on the subject will be said
fused to discuss to-day's Cabinet meeting
or the probable action of the department
in view of the revised opinion of Attorney
General Knox. He desired to be placed in
the attitude of saying nothing on the sub
ject. and he requested Rear Admiral
Bowles, who advanced the contention re-
garding the rights OF the government. to
be equally mindful of the Presidents wishes
to silence on the subject.
Modification Of the attorney generals
opinion. which in its unrevised form al
Moody, somewhat disarranges for the mo-
ment the programme of the department as
TO show of force. The President thinks
a show OF force under the circumstances
would be inexpedient, and the Navy De-
partment therefore must content itself with
awaiting the advice of the Department of
Justice in the matter. Meanwhile it has
instructed its agents at Richmond not to
interfere with the order of the court until
specifically instructed by the department
LABORERS SCARCE.
1t was learned to-day that all the work.
men employed by the Trigg Company left
the yard when the company went into the
hands of receiver, and the government
was experiencing some difficulty in secur-
ing laborers This will prevent the vessels
being ready for launching next Monday,
and it Is hoped the Department of Justice
in the meantime will have prevailed on
the local court officials at Richmond to
withdraw from what it regards as their
illegal position.
Secretary Moody to-day requested the at
torney general to instruct the proper dis
trict attorney 10 enter into a stipulation re-
garding the cruiser Chattanooga. which
has been attached by creditors of the New
York Shipbuilding Company, that the gov
ernments rights may be adequately pro-
tected.
tracted for by the companies composing the
United States Shipbuilding combination the
Navy Department. while apprehensive of
the results of the financial embarrassments
of the concern, has not been informed that
work any of the vessels has been inter-
rupted as yet. and for The present Secre-
tary Moody can take no action. The case
of the Galveston has been forced to a test
so that the government may be sure of its
ground in the event Of complications with
the United States Shipbuilding Company.
Secretary Moody will take action for
the present on the appeal OF Rear Admiral
Bowles for troops TO protect Lieutenant
Thesis and Naval Constructor Groesbeck.
who are in charge of the work on the Gal
weston, from any interference by the local
courts. The secretary was asked to order