Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-30
REDFIELD BEGINS
HIS INVESTIGATION
United States Attorney Says Number
Of Other Boats May Be Taken
Off the Lake.
FEDERAL CLAIM OF AUTHORITY

CHICAGO, July Determination
OF witnesses in the inquiry OF the
United states Department of Com
nierce, under the personal supervis-
ion OF Secretary Redfield. into the
cause OF the Eastland disaster, began
here today.
Witnesses. including the officers
aud crew Of the steamer and q long
list Of survivors. were summoned to
the federal building to tell their ver-
sions Of the catastrophe.
While this inquiry was progressing,
United States District Attorney
Clyne prepared to empanel a grand
Jury to investigate the question Of
criminal responsibility for the acci-
dent. In the states attorneys Of
flee efforts were directed to de-
termine the extent OF the Jurisdiction
Of the state grand jury over the per-
sons held by the coroner's jury for
grand jury action. Doubt was ex-
pressed over the Jurisdiction OF the
state over federal officials.
Boats May BE Taken orr Lake.
District Attorney cIyne visited the
Eastand and inspected the hulk for the
first time. lie limited that a number of
well known excursion steamers might
have TO come off the lake.
Speaking OF possible action by the
cfafn et,a,.,a t,sr.. ntafrf.t Att.r,.nuf ffIyfo
said
IL any action against those respon-
sible il ordered by the state grand jury
We Will demand the right 10 enter pro-
ceedings against the two Steamboat in
spectors and the boat captain named by
the coroner's jury, in advance OF any
action which may be taken by the states
attorney following indictments by the
grand jury. These men are government
officers. the captain holding govern
ment license and being under government
jurisdiction and we must demand the
right TO deal with them. In ali pro-
ceedlngs. however, the state will have
the fullest cooperation from the govern-
nent"
Council Abandons Its InauIry.
The independent Investigation ordered
By the city council was virtually aban-
doned today on the advice OF the cor
poration counsel. who held the opinion
that the jurisdiction OF the city aid not
extend over the docks.
The councils investigating committee |
decided, however. 10 petition President !
Wilson to appoint an investigating com
mission 20 act Independently Of federal |
authorities and 20 have the government |
make a stability test of every excursion |
vessel running out OF Chicago. The |
council committee appointed q sub-com- |
mittee which. IN connection with the |
city engineering bureau and the city |
harbor master. will make thorough |
inspection OF every excursion boat In and |
about Chicago. E
Coroner Hoffman today issued nitu- |
muses. for the arrest OF the six persons |
whom the coroner's Jury in It's verdict |
held to the state grand Jury. All the men |
either are IN custody or under surveil-
lance and Il was said that the papers
would not be served by Sheriff TRACER
until later.
state win Hold Fonr Men.
Assistant states Attorney Raber said |
today he believed indictments on charges /
OF granddaughter. conspiracy or criminal \
cerclessness could be sustained against |
four OF tho six persons ordered held by /
the coroner's jury. He II investigating |
the jurisdiction Of the grand jury over
the federal inspectors ordered held BY the
coroner's Jury.
Those over whom the state grand jury
have Jurisdiction. In the opinion OF Mr..
Raber are:
william IA. Hull. vice president and |
general manager Of the st. Joseph-Ch- |
ago Steamship company. which owned |
the Eastland.
Walter K.Greenebaum. general manager |
Of the Indiana Transportation company,
which chartered the boat.
Harry Petersen. captain Of the East
land
Joseph N. Erickson. chief engineer Of
the Eastland.
Robert Reid and Charles c. Eckiiff. the
inspectors ordered held. arrived here to-
day from Grand Haven. Mich.
Derrick Plan t. Abandoned.
The plan to raise the Eastland BY the
use Of derricks was abandoned today be-
cause % the immense weight OF the water
within the hull. Work was begun 20 seal
-H- ttf1uiHaA IN the tuats 20 mat the I
water might be pumped out and the huh |
fioated.
The icastland disaster. which brought |
death to probably 1900 persons and spread |
sorrow over the city. brought a bride to |
Joe fcst. who. with his sweetheart. Miss |
Alslna stuhenraneh. stood ON the upper /
deck when the ship Nent over. Together
they jumped into the river aud Joe swan |
with the eiri 10 safety. Their friends /
today learned that Alvina and Joe were
married last night
Body Found fn Canal.
The body OF a man supposed 20 be
William oerswitz. = victim OF the
steamer EAalland disaster was taken |
from the Chicago drainage canal At West |
ern avenue today. nearly four miles from
the scene OF the accident Ths body was
caught In net stretched across the
canal
Funeral services for the last OF the
unidentified dead OF the Easgland we're
held Al but four OF the sac bodeis re-
covered up 20 noon have been identified.
County win Pay ths Bin.
ROCKWELL CITY. Ia. July n.-Cspe-