Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-27
ORDERS |NSPECT0RS
BEFORE GRAND Jury
Secretary Redfield at Chicago
Prepares to Reveal East
land Facts.
DECLARES INVESTIGATION
MUST BE THOROUGH
Denies Federal Steamboat Service
Employees Appointed at Dicta-
ton Of Owners.

CHICAGO. July 2I-Secretary OF
Commerce William c.. Redfield arrived
today and took up what he promised
would he a thorough inquiry. y short
time later attorneys from the United
States district attorney S office visited
all of the men held in custody as wit
nesses and obtained statements from
them. at the same time subpoenaing
them to appear before the federal
grand jury, which meets Thursday.
Secretary Redfeld upon arrival said
he welcomed the most searching inves-
tigation possible, and that if an inspec-
interested in it than he. States At
torney Hoyne also was active in his
investigation. Both the federal au-
thorities and the police co-operated
with him.
Secretary Redheld in Z statement is
sued today not only denied that steam
boat inspectors were appointed at the
instances OF Stea luboat ON ners. as had
been charged, but also denied that Mr..
Chandler had ever brought to his atten-
ton the condition of the Eastland.
MI. Redfeld's Position.
Secretary Redeld in his statement
added
ON my arrival i'll Chicago this
morning l met D. n. Hoover, jr., deputy
supervising inspector general of the
steam boat inspection service, and Capt.
Charles H. Westcott, the supervising
inspector of the eighth district Both
have been notified to appear before the
grand jury.
Il instructed them 10 say to that
grand jury, and to any other properly
constituted authority. thai the Depart
ment of Commerce and the steamboat
Inspection service have nothing to fear
or to conceal: that ii desires the full
est possible light thrown upon every
detail OF its work and organization.
Such an inquiry cannot be too sharp
and keen to please the steamboat in
spection service and the department.
They were told to lay everything in
their possession and knowledge before
the state grand jury or any other legal
body desiring information. They were
instructed to say to the state grand
jury that l will willingly appear be-
fore any body to give it any in
formation in my possession.
Orders Inspectors to Chicago.
They were also instructed to say to
the state grand jury that since the local
inspectors at Grand Haven, Mich, who
inspected the Eastland, were possibly
outside the jurisdiction of the state of
Illinois, l would at once order them
here for examination by the state grand
jury if that body desires it done.
Il also instructed them to say that
the supervising inspector at Cleveland
who had the vessel under his care for
some years. and is possibly outside the
state jurisdiction. will be summoned
here if the state grand jury or any
other body or person having authority
wishes il.
Capt. Westcott was originally ap-
pointed to the steamboat inspection
service by President Harrison. He was
by President Cleveland and
by President Mckinley, and
has served continuously ever since No
charges of any kind have ever been
made against him.
His father was a rshpbuiider, and he
himself as young man was actively
engaged in the construction of vessels.
At the time of his appointment as super
vising inspector he held first ella IS
masters license and was in command of
lake steamer and drawing one of the
biggest salaries for that work on the
lakes.
Under Civil Service