Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-26


Investigations to determine the
cause Of the accident and punish the
guilty was pushed during the day by
Coroner Hoffman. States Attorney
Hoyne and United States District At
torney Charles F. Clyne.
After questioning members Of the
Eastland's crew and scores Of eye
witnesses, States Attorney Hoyne and
his assistants expressed the opinion
that the accident was caused by the
overlooking of the boat,
John Davis. a fruit merchant, today
told Edwin J. Raber, assistant states
attorney, that he and another man
standing on the Eastland's wharf CALI
ed Captain Pedersen's attention TO the
fact that the ship was listing badly
five minutes before she turned over but
the captain paid no attention to the
warning.
Government Steamboat Inspector
Robert Reid, who is the father-in-law
of the chief engineer OF the Eastland
and who pronounced the boat 70 be
safe at its last inspection in June, to-
day defed those who had charged the
federal authorities with criminal neg
ligence and stated the steamer was in
good condition, thoroughly seaworthy
and capable Of carrying an excursion
crowd Of $500.
Mr. Reid explained the peculiar
construction of the vessel, which re-
quired two rows Of ballast tanks in
the hull, five on each side. He stated
that the danger of capsizing would be
much greater IL the ballast tanks were
empty OF ii the tanks on the port side
only were filed.
Harry Thayer of New York, presi-
dent of the Western Electric company,
conferred with Mrg. Osborne Rowe.
head Of the city's welfare bureau, and
John J. O'Connor. director Of the Red
Cross here. concerning relief work.
1t was planned 20 have the company's
10000 employees aid the stricken fani-
lies.
Ten Days 10 Rnise Steamer.
Late this afternoon It was an
nouuced f. would take 10 days 10
raise the steamer and that work would
be begun at once
Steamboat inspection officials met
with United States District Attorney
ClyHe and several others today and
while no announcement was made as
to what was done at the meeting II
was limited that plans weTs formulated
for conducting The federal investiga-
tiou so as not % have it conflict with
the state and city Investigations.
d. n. Hoover. acting supervising in
spector general, and Charles r. Vest
colt, district attorney, attended the
conference.
An official Of the federal department
Of justice and representative Of the
states attorneys office are also said
TO have been present,
Preseryers Locked Up.
William Wood, a naval architect,
was placed Ia command Of the rescue
work on the steamer today by Coroner
Hoffman The latter announced that
Wood would be In supreme authority
on the boat until the work Of recov-
ering the bodies and the taking Of
evidence concerning the cause OF the
accident had been completed by the
corOners jury.
Many life preservers aboard the
Eastland were locked IN a case. in vio-
lation Of law, instead Of being con-
veniently placed for the use Of pas
sengers in case OF accident, accord
ing TO DR.. Fred D. Farr, He said he
had seen a workman on the wreck
open the case with a crowbar
The work of searching the submerg-
ed interior Of the boat and dragging
the river for victims progressed slow
ly. At noon three additional bodies
man reported the total number as $40.
Arrangements were complefed for