New-York tribune., 1904-09-24
BOARD USES WHITEWAS
SHIFTS SLOCUM BLAME.
O'GormGn Says Inspector Tried to
RemoUe EUidence of Neglect.

completely exOnerated from all responsibility
for the burning of the General Slocum-by it's
/ own report Not since the Board Of Aldermen
| investigated itself has such body of clean
| handed men been discovered.
In speaking of the report Coroner o'Gorman.
! Of The Bronx said last night
THE department simply investigating it
self and the result has significance. When
| Supervising Inspector Robert S. Rode went
to North Brother Island he tried to remove evil
dences OF the neglect of his department. I put
a stop TO it, and told him that he could
touch nothing unless it had my seal on it, They
have given the matter fine coat Of whitewash.
and the only thing remaining to be done to make
1t an artistic job is to reinstate Lundberg Du-
| mont didn't ask us for any evidence. He could
| have had all he wanted for the asking
Later, Mr.. O'Gorman said that he did not want
his remark about Mr. Rode 20 be construed into
an accusation. He had told Mr.. Rode, he said.
that as the Steamboat Inspection Bureau was
to be investigated there would be improperly
in its taking possession Of evidence that might
be used against it, Mr.. Rodie had not insisted
and there had been no dispute.
The report Of Chief inspectors Barrett and
Dumont declares that Coroner Berry ana cap
| tain Van Schaick of the Slocum failed to appear
before them after being subpoenaed. captain
Van Schaick's physical condition was such at
to appear before the board. although the testi-
rnony could have been secured at his bedside.
and Coroner Berry's statement in regard to the
service of the subpoena shows that no determined
effort was made TO secure his presence. AT the
time Of it's service he was in camp with his regi-
ment.
THE POINTS OF THE REPORT.
The report is peculiar in many Of its state
ments. The principal points brought out in it
are that the fire was discovered at the upper end
Of the Sunlen Meadows, and the Slocum was
beached at the first available place; that the life
saving appliances were entirely adequate, but
that had the slocum carried double the number OF
life preservers not another life could have been
saved that there was lack of discipline on the
part of the crew. due entirely 70 the negligence
and incompetence OF the master and the pilot;
that fire drills had been neglected; that the crew
had not been trained to cope with such an
emergency as the law requires and that the
chief engineer was grossly negligent In not con-
Meeting the hose and turning on the water on
being told Of the fire. The board revokes the
licenses of Captain Van Schaick master and
pilot Pilot Van Wart and Chief Engineer Ben
jarnin F. Conklin.
Inspector Dumont was much worried yester-
day when pertinent questions were put to him
regarding the liberal application OF whitewash
with which the board so freely bedaubed itself
When Coroner Berry's remarks regarding the
statement that he had been summoned before
the board and had failed TO appear were re-
peated 20 Mr.. Dumont, he expressed a willing
70 talk. He had his exhibit at hand
his desk. Exhibit A was a subpoena for Coro-
ner Berry. requiring him 20 produce the exhibits
shown at the coroner's inquest Attached 20 It
neatly was Exhibit B, return from Marshal
Henkel that the subpoena had been left with
the chief lOrlr hal
out Of the city. The subpoena was served on
July Z. and, although the inquiry lasted we'll
into August no further attempt 10 have the cor
oner bring the desired" exhibit was made.
1T was not our duty" explained Inspector Du-
mont.
AN UNcoNvINCING DEFENCE.
Coroner Berry did not mince words in COM
menting on the boards report. II consider the
report a labored and unconvincing defence OF
the boards insufficient work as brought out at
the inquest" he said. THE statement that a
bona hde effort had been made to secure me as a
witness is absolutely untrue. A subpoena was
never served on me or left at my Office. The
nearest approach to an effort to secure my pres
ence was when was in camp with the list
New-YoTk. subpoena was left at my office
then calling for the exhibits used at the cor
oners inquest. The messenger was told that
in camp, and that all the exhibits had been
sent to the United States District Attorney for
use in presenting the case to the federal grand
jury
WOULD GLADLY HAVE AIDED.
II would have been only too glad to give all
the aid in my power to this or any other board
making an honest endeavor TO fix and place the
responsibility for the disaster.
THE effort of this board 10 confuse the public
mind by blaming others than itself in itself
shows how hard labored is it's attempt to save
itself from just public criticism. The board Of
local inspectors should be turned out bag and
baggage by President Roosevelt, and men who
would honestly and consistently perform their
duties be appointed"
"The facts brought out at the coroner's in
quest" continued Coroner~Berry. Ted to the re-
inspection of most Of the vessels in New York
Harbor, in spite OF the efforts of the board 10
prevent it, and many Of the vessels which had
been passed as safe were found to be made
quately equipped with life preservers and fire
fighting apparatus.
II ask the public 10 determine whether tbs
corOner's inquest, which was open to the public
and fair. impartial and honest investigation OF
facts. or the secret inquiry held behind closed
doors was the better
THE REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS.
The report Of the local board Of steamboat in
spectors follows in part:
In view OF the fact that the commission an.
pointed By the honorable Secretary of Commerce
Of the General Slocum disaster except that spe-
eialy delegated TO this board by the provisions Of
section 1850 Revised Statutes OF the United States
namely, 70 investigate the conduct OF the licensed
oLlcers OF the steamer, Il has not been deemed
incidentally necessary for the performance OF our