New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-29
SL0CUM INDICTMENTS.
EXPECT SEVERAL TO-DAY.
Fan Schaick, Lundberg Barnaby
and Others accused, 1t Is Thought.

Indictments of the federal grand jury. follow
ing the investigation into the General Slocum
disaster. will, it is expected. be handed down to-
day. A special session of the Criminal Branch
of the United States District Court has been
convened. to allow the grand jury to make its
report. provided ny law. Judge Thomas will
preside. At the time the grand jury finished
hearing the evidence ii was told exclusively in
The Tribune that indictments probably would
be handed down
There has been much speculation to who
are accused The grand jury carefully exam
ned practically all the witnesses in the case
With few exceptions. all who testified before the
coroner's inquest have been before it. For over
4 week the members have listened to the stories
Of eyewitnesses and survivors, including those
of number Of the crew of the burned steamer.
All the exhibits. tho life preservers. hose and
couplings alleged 20 have been worthless. a big
Iruclload In all. that were before the coroner's
jury. were removed to the rooms of the grand
jury ana there had n most critical inspection.
Two weeks ago the grand jury finished it's
part Of the work, and since that time william
A. Ball Assistant United States District At
torl,ey, with Assistant United States District
Attorney Wise. who presented the case TO the
grand jury. has been drawing the indictments
That the task has not been easy. the federal
authorities ConCede owing to the peculiar word
ing of The section OF the United States Revised
Statutes which covers the offence. viz. Section
No. 5,344. This section provides that any
master. pilot or any other cmploye Of steam
ship. any owner. inspector. or other pub
lie officer through whose negligence n life is
lost shall on conviction he imprisoned for not
exceeding ten years.
The indictments against the Slocum owners,
II is said. are FOR aiding and abettiug' the
captain in the neglect of his duty That the
indictments will hold, lawyers generally, who
have discussed the question, doubt IT, how
ever, Judge Thomas sustains the demurrers
that will undoubtedly he interposed TO the in
dictments the federal authorite' fee, that they
will he free from blame
According to a report IN the Federal Building
an Indictment Will be returned agains, Cap
tain Van Schalck. under Section 5,34i. and an
other against Inspector Lundberg and Inspec-
tor Fleming. The latter is an inspector Of
hulls and testified at the Coroner's inquest that
he had nothing whatever TO do with the in
spection Of the General Slocum. The rules Of
the United States governing the inspection Of
steamboats, provide that the inspection Of the
Slocum should have beer made by Lundberg
and Fleming together.
Two other indictments, 1T is believed. will he
returned against the captain OF the steamer. in
which President Barnaby OF the Knickerbocke-
Steamboat Company viii figure, with Secretary
Atkinson. Treasurer Dexter and Captain Pease
The latter is a director and stoCkholder Of the
company and the commodore Of the knickec-
booker Steamboat Compauy's feet
Section 6,344 undsr which the indictments
win unquestionaply be drawn. makes no pro-
vision for a prosecution for aiding and ahettInE
neglect Of duty. and for that reason II is not
generally believed that the Indictments. other
than those gainst the two inspectors. VIII with
stand the attack OF the defence
General Burnett and his two assistants viii.
however make every effort TO sustain the valid
~ lfftF TINS fl|f |f..sHa
they have them worded I'm such way that they
Will hold