Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-21
WORKMAN HELD TO TRIAL.
Secretary Moody Orders Young Ensign
to Appear Before Court Martial.

to Appear Before Court Martial.
Washington, Feb. 21.-The detailed
report Of the court of inquiry which
investigated the accident on the battle
ship Massa chusetts during the recent
maneuvers, was made public at the
navy yards yesterday. The report
shows the exact state of affairs in the
turret January 16, when the explosion
occurred. 1t also shows that the young
ensign Workman, was in charge as di-
vision officer of no less than eight guns,
including the four S-inch turrett guns,
and six Founders. Although in their
conclusions the board says that the en-
sign in charge committed a grave err
ror, not necessarily fatal in directing
the opening OF the breech to return
electric firing, this procedure, 1t is ex-
planned. was not in violation of any
drill regulations, and it was believed by
the division officer to be in accordance
with the provisions of the drill book
in a similar case and that the gun and
torpedo drill books instructions are in
definite and should be revised thor
oughly by a special board appointed
for the purpose.
The boards findings were approved
by Rear Admiral Higginson, command
the North Atlantic Squadron, includ-
ing the opinion that the division officer
acted as he believed in accordance
with existing instructions and his best
Judgment under the circumstances and
that no further proceedings are neces-
sary in the matter"
Secretary Moody, however, took a
different view, and in his endorsement
ordering the court says:
"In view of the findings of the board
that Ensign Ward *. Workman, U. S.
NJ, committed grave error and that the
result Of this error was the death
of nine men, the conclusion of the board
that no further proceedings are neces-
sary is not concurred in, and it is or
dered that Ensign Workman be tried
by court martial"
The house committee on printing
yesterday favorably reported the SEN
ate resolution providing for the COM
pilation under the direction of the at
torney general of all state laws re-
lating to trusts and to the organization
and regulation Of corporations.
The treasury department. has COM
planned to the postoff1ce department
that the customs revenues are suffer-
ing serious loss by the failure of some
postmasters properly to carry out the
postal regulations regarding the treat
ment of mail from abroad, especially
registered matter from Mexico, marked
to indicate that its contents are sup
posed to be liable to custom duties.
Acting Postmaster General Wynne has
issued an order to postmasters direct
ing a strict compliance with the regu-
lations and notifying them that when
ever 1T is shown that the failure OF any
postmaster has resulted in the loss of
custom revenue. he will be held liable
under his official bond for the loss so
suffered.
The navy department is Informed
that the flag ship New York and the
cruisers Boston, Marblehead and Ran
ger of the Pacific squadron, arrived at
Acapulco, Mexico. on their way to
Amapala on the coast of Honduras to
look after American interests during
the existing political troubles in that
country
Chief Of the Shinnecocks Dead.
New York, Feb 21.--John Waters,
Chief of the sshinnecocks, and believed
to be the last full -blooded representa-
tive of the tribe is dead at Little Neck,
Long Island.