Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-31
CAPTAIN YOUNG CRITICISED
Bonaparts Says BenningtOn'S Commander
Should Appear Before Court Martial.
TRIAL IS ORDERED FOR ENSIGN WADE
Head of Navy Department Thinks Re-
port of Court of Inquiry Was
Too Lenient with
Omcers.

WASHINGTON, Aug. SO-secretary
Bonaparte today acted upon the findings Of
the court of inquiry in the case of the
Bennington explosion. He disapproved OF
so much of the findings as declare that the
Bennington was "in an excellent state OF
discipline and good and efficient condition"
at the time of the explosion, and is par
ticularly severe in his comment upon the
failure of tho officers to look after the
safety valves. He further says that the
court of inquiry's failure to make any find-
ing respecting the captain of the ship,
Lucien Young, does not meet his approval,
and he therefore declares that to clear
himself Captain Young must appear before
court-martial. Ensign Charles 4. Wade,
who was in charge of the machinery, is
also ordered before court-martial.
Secretary BOnRparte's Endorsement.
Secretary Bonapartes endorsement on
the courts findings in part follows:
The department has very carefully con-
sidered the findings and opinion Of the
court of inquiry, the testimony and exhibits
thereto attached and the endorsement of
the commander-in-chief of the Pacific
The department approves the several find
ings of fact by the court of inquiry, with
the exception OF so much thereof as is in
That ION July 10, 19O5l the ship was in
an excellent state of discipline and in good
and efficient condition with the exception
of its boilers, which were In fair condition
and efficient, considering their age (about
fourteen years. and the use to which they
The department does not consider this
particular finding sustained by the evidence
The proof tends strongly to show that the
had been permitted to fall into habits OF
laXity and inattention in the discharge OF
their duties and at least some OF this force
a Numerically inGfrnrfaA ri
their duties.
The secretary then discusses certain por
tions OF the evidence which he says wer,
sufficient to Justify the court in advancing
another charge Of neglect OF duty agains
Ensign Wade and proceeds:
Censure for Young.
The department approves the recon
mendation OF the court of inquiry tina
brought to trial by court-martial upon tn,
| charges contained in the opinion OF tn,
is hereby ordered, but the Judge advocat,
/ general Is urged 10 include in the charge
and specifications the further charges here
Irasmuch as the court of inquiry did no
| pass expressly in its findings and opinion
upon the conduct Of COMMANDER Luciel
Bennington, and the question OF his re
| spOnsibility for the explosion thereon an
! consequent loss Of life and injuries to per
sons and property. the department mus
1 treat this silence as an implied finding tina
he was not thus responsible. After yer
| careful cOnsidera ton the department
compelled 10 disapprove this implied finding
The secretary then cites and comment
| upon the various provisions of the nav
regulations and concludes as follows:
The foregoing provisions of the regula
tions and the facts disclosed by the TepoT
! Of the court of inquiry and by the testi
mony and exhibits thereto attached max
| II the duty Of the department 10 requiT
/ Lucien n. Young, L. s. N, TO clear himsel
| before a general court-martial OF the charg
| Of neglect OF his official duty above ind
Gated Such court-marttal Is, therefor,
ordered and the judge advocate general wi
prepare charges and specifications in aC
cordance with the views OF the department
| heTeinabOve expressed
Harry b. DAYlA unasruALsr. rsl InG