Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-18
WESTFIELD's CELEBRATION.
Sec. CorteIyou Joins in Observing
School Triannual.

WCStueiu, Mass. June lI.-EeCre-
| tary of Commerce George E. Cortelyou,
was the honored guest of the town
| upon his return, today, to. the scenes
OF his school days, to attend the TRAM
nual reunion of the Westfield Normal
| school alumni. A committee of the
town welcomed him upon his arrival
| and the Board of Trade rendered him
a reception and banquet.
Tomorrow Secretary Cortelyou will
preside at meeting of the Normal
school alumni. During his stay he is
the guest of Mrs. James Noble.
Secretary Cortelyou arrived about
O'Clock and was Immediately escorted
to the Park Square Hotel, where the
| reception took place.
| The banquet took place in the spaci-
| Gus dining room of the Hotel and one
hundred and fifty were present.
Principal c. A. Brodour of the Nor
| NAL school acted as POSTMASTER and
| the guests besides Secretary Cortelyou
| included Congressman George p. Law
| renee and Fred w. Gillett, Representa-
| tive II. T.. Moscly, w. w. McClencil
of Springfield, and Henry w. Ely of
| Westfield.
| After few Introductory and COM
piimentary remarks, the POSTMASTER
| introduced Secretary Cortelyou who
made an eloquent address.
At the conclusion of his formal re-
| marks. Secretary Cortelyou took up
| the General Slocum disaster and said
| that. being among the friends of his
school days, he would take the au-
| dicOco into cOnfidepco and aypIained
some of the steps that are being taken
| in the investigation. He felt that the
press and public should suspend judg-
| ment pending a thorough investigation.
In order to set at rest Il number of
! baseless rumors that have been put
| into circulation regarding the character
| of the investigation. he made public
| the following telegram which was sent
| by him. this morning. to Hon. L. o.
Murray, assistant secretary Of COM
mcrce and labor.
New York, June II, 1904.
Hon. L. q. Murray, Assistant Secre
tary of Commerce and Labor, WASH
ington, ID. c.
Last evening, I had a conference
with Supervising Inspector Rode. AS
spector General Uhlcr to come here at
| the earliest possible moment. I desire
| that you have full conference with Mr..
UhIcr before he leaves Washington.
| Thre must be a vigorous prosecution
| of the investigation. already begun. in
| to every feature of the General Slocum
disaster.
Detail Deputy Commissioner Smith
| is to assist you and Mr.. Uhler in the
work of investigating. I shall stand by
our officers here until they are shown
to be culpable. But this investigation
must he so made that we shall be adj
vised of all the facts connected with
their relations to the disasters, as well
as such other circumstances as should
be developed. and it must be so fair
and impartial as to give public notice
of the departments determination to
hold it's officials to the strictest ac-
countability in the discharge of their
duties under the law and regulations
(Signed)
George 3. CorteIyou Secretary"
Congressman Lawrence, who follow
ed spoke eloquently of Secretary Cor
telyou's work as head of the depart
ment of commerce and labor, and in
closing said that Mr.. Cortelyou, as
chairman of the Republican National
committee would prove the right man
in the right place.
The other speakers were w. W. Nc
Clench of Springfield, and Henry w.
Ely Of this town.