The Washington herald., 1909-01-28

It was decided last night at meeting
Of the Shipmasters' Association, which is
in convention at the Ebbitt House. by a
unanimous vote. TO call on the President
to-day and endeavor 10 So 1Hin TO enlist
his good Offices toward the release OF
Capt. Van Schaick. who has been con-
fined in Sing Sing prison for some
time in connection with the burning of
the steamer Gen SIocum on June l5, is6i.
Capt. N. c. Mcintosh, past grand presi-
dent Of the association, said last night:
Every honorable means viii b. used
TO free Capt Van Schaick IRON. prison.
We have given this matter car careful
consideration. and we have '~vs 10 the
conclusion that he has So cough
for the negligence OF others
Owners Real Oaen -.
while he was doubtless in part to
blame for the horrible disaster the own
ers OF the steamer were the real offend
ers in not providing the vessel with Hfe-
preservers, which Capt. Van Schaick re-
peatedly made requisition for.
Capt Van Sehaick is suffering a great
{
this time, while the guilty parties and the
ones that were mostly TO blame FOR the
accident escaped without so much as q
rebuke from the authorities for not prop
erly equipping the General SlocUm.
Up to President.
We are going 20 put the matter Up 10
the President. and. knowing that he not
only believes in square deal but prac-
tices what he breaches. we believe that
he viii look into this matter thoroughly.
a57d that IN the end his conclusions VIII
be that the acticn we took tonight favor
ing Van Schsick's release VIII meet with
his support and approval
For several years the General Slocum
has been doing service on Chesapeake
Bay as a sc0w. Shortly after she was
raised a few years ago. the purchasers
stripped her OF all machinery and con
verted her into a barge after which the
vessel was purchased by a Baltimore
company and put 90 her present use
Session Important.
Last nights session Of the masters was
the most important Of any during The
convention. They also decided 70 can or
the Secretary Of the Navy to-day or to-
morrow. 20 pay their respects. and a visit
viii also be made 20 the members Of the
light house board. The latter visit viii
be OF a friendly nature as many Of the
members Of the board are friends Of the
captains. and some Of them have served
together not only on the Great Lakes. but
on voyages over seas.
Part u to-nicht-s session viii be de-
voted % tie question IF a ship subsidy.
what We want 90 see, said Capt No
Intosh. '-is a procession of big vessels
through the Great Lakes. the St Law
renee River. skimming the Atlantic Ocean.
into the Gulf of Mexico. mp the Father
cf Waters. into the Illinois River. and
through the Chicago drainage canal
VIII Ask Congress.
Congress VIII be called upon 10 help
carry out this far-reachins plan Of i'm
proving and deepening the waterways
OF the country. especially the Sault Ste.
Marie course.
The annual election OF officers took up
part Of last nights session. and the
following captains were elected. 10 serve
for the next wear, OF until the shipmasters
meet at Milwaukee. the city which has
been selected as the meeting place OF jna
convention Of 1910.
Grand president Capt. John a. Mac
Donald. grand first vice president Capt
James MCGinn. second gradd vice presi-
dent, Capt. J. NJ Sinclair; grand treas
Urer. Capt A. J. Mckay; grand financial
secretary. Capt. r. J. Ashley: grand
chaplain. Capt James Lyons; grand mar
shall capt Robert Thompson. grand war
den. Capt Peter Thompson. grand senti-
ael Can't. W J. Grossly.
The installing officers were Past Grand
President Capt J. J. Mcintosh and Past
Grand Vice President Capt. n s. Peter
son.