The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-06

/ Upon the assertion Of Gen Harries, Of
the District militia. that the log Of the
/ T.. 5. s. oneida was open for his snspec-
| tiong William G. Cleveland, the father Of
/ Melvin L. Cleveland. the young man who
I was drowned from the Oneida on Novem-
/ Der 26 said he made four trips to the
/ Oneida. now lying in midsyream al the
I foot Of Seventh street. for the purpose Of
/ inspecting the log, as far as the entry Of
I his sons death was concerned.
Mr. Cleveland claims he was denied ac-
/ cess 10 the log every time he went to ex-
anime it by men and officers OF the
Oneida, who, Mr. Cleveland said, de
clared the log was either locked up OF
made other excuses for not producing H.
refused a Look at Log.
Last Thursday being drill night Of the
naval battalion. MI Cleveland says he
made his fifth trip and succeeded, after be
tanned for over TWO hours in The ward
. room by the officer in charge. ia gaining
ala interview with Capt. S. w. Stratton
commander of the battalion Cleveland
renewed his request to examine the log.
and he says Capt. StrattCn absolutely and
gnqualihedfy refused 20 grant the pernis-
sion. unless a special written order 20
that effect from Gen. Harries were pro-
duced- Cleveland says Stratton admitted
he ought 20 De permitted to inspect the
/ log,
He claims he cannot secure any kind Of
reply from Gen. Harries 70 his various
I letters and requests. as far as they con-
Germ the loss of his only son. and En- order
10 make sure Of "a reply, Cleveland sent
q letterto Gen. Harries yesterday by spe-
cial delivery and registered mail.
Formal Request on Gen. Harries.
The letter follows.
'sir. Some time ago I addressed q
communication to YOU requesting that 4
court of inquiry DE convened for the Bur-
pose OF inqul~iHg into the cause Of. and
placing The responsibility for. the uutime-
Is death # my son, Melvin l. Cleveland.
late boatswaiH's mate. Naval Reserves.
District of Columbia. who was lost from
The L. ). ;. Oneida, November g. 1885,
since that time I have heard nothing
from you. and have been advised Of no
acton which you have taken in the mat
Ter except through newspaper reports. /
''" rene" my request In that respect.
ard also request that you grant me the
necessary permission 60 inspect she log
OF the L. ;. ). Oneida. ] make this lat
ter request IN view OF certain statements
supposed % Eaye emanaI.d from YOU u
the eject that said log book was al any
and lli times Open 90 nay inspection. and
BED view ot Capt STATIONS DENYING me-
ms privilege on the Sd instant. when 1
made personal application aboard the l..
;. ,. Puritan when he absolutely and
unquaEhedly refused me permission 70
examine the log without special written
order from you 20 that effect
For your further information in this
matter / wish % state thas I have en-
ployed Aessrs. Rosa F. Downing and
George a. Berry as my attorneys in this
matter, and make a further request that
they also he permitted 10 examine the
log book If the Oneida. together with any
and all papers that may have any bear
ing on this case as well as the privilege
Of examining any of the enlisted men ~
the said Naval Battalion and the United
States navy who may be able 10 throw
any light upon this subject.
Il trust that this time YOU VIII do me
the favor. of replying To this letter"