Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1915-08-04
SIX MEN HELD||.|.FOR
EASTLAN|D DISASTER
Coroner's Jury BIames Owners
L of Ship and Inspectors. n
MAKE. MANsLAUGHTER CHARGE

NNNI UNvoANON I'LL VII1stNk
Federal Inquiry Is Also Started.
Judge Lands Warns Members +
Of Grand Jury Not to Heed
. S5is 1. 5lI.:i, Talk About Case. @
Chicago, July 30.-The coroner's
jury has found six men responsible
for the Eastland disaster. n is y&..55i +
The charges include manslaughter
and such other offenses as the facts
may warrant s.. a.. l,!-s.''' Y
The men held are: y &.2sss.e4 w.. )
Robert Reid, United States steam
boat inspector, with headquarters at
st. Joseph, Mich. ,eE.7
E. C. gEckliff, United States inspec-
tor Of steamboat boilers, with head
quarters at St. Joseph.
William H. Hull, vice-president and
general manager of the st. Joseph
Chicago Transportation company,
owners OF the Eastland. a <4
w. X. Greenebaum, general mana
~ u
company, which chartered the boat.
Harry Petersen, captain Of the
Eastland. ! $45 = ~ :tSsl
Joseph NJ. Erickson, chief engineer
of the Eastland and son-in-law of In
spector Reid. 81. s;s.e s5S &, s$:;s \. i 3
All six are in Chicago, either in Gus
tody or under surveillance.
Held for Both Juries. Il,
The jury recommended the six men
be held for both Cook county and
United States grand juries. $5s -!
The jury, so far as its jurisdiction
in fixing the blame was concerned,
included the owners of the. ship, the
charterers, the operators, and federal
inspectors who certified. to the sea-
worthiness of the ship. S!,2
:. s WI. ft5 Jury Instructed. {I
81 Judge Kenesaw Lands in the
United States court in instructing the
federal grand jury, which started an
inquiry into the Eastland disaster, de-
livered what was considered as a de-
liberate rebuke to Secretary Of Com.
merce Redheld. Z: W. n a.Si Y. 35st5{
At the conclusion OF his instruc-
lions, Judge Lands said: s:5sj :ss l.sgs
One word by way Of caution. Much
publicity has been given the declara-
lions purporting to emanate from Of
fetal sources in vindication OF the con-
duct OF. persons with whose acts you
will be concerned. OF course, you will
not be impressed by any, such publica-
ton, no matter how high the purport-
ed authority may be, just as you will
not be influenced by any publication
respecting any other thing or matter
involved" 35s
Taken 10 Rebuke to Redfield.
This was taken in official circles to
be directed at Secretary Redfield.
who, since his arrival in Chicago, has
given out several interviews uphold
ing all actions of the federal inspec-
tors and controverting charges made
against the service. I; s8 "a
In his instructions Judge Lands
made the scope Of the grand jury's
work SO broad that it may include an
Investigation OF the department Of
commerce right up to Secretary Red.
fields Office. y. n I. 3it. q,
Z 1T will be for you to inquire Kheth-;
er the navigation laws of the United
States have been obeyed and to act
according to your determination OF
that fact Those laws deal with the
construction, equipment, management
and navigation Of passenger-carrying
craft. 4. K I Il: '3:e3. VI s3.
.ss "A department Of the government
is charged with the duty of enforcing,
obedience to their terms; officials are
charged with this duty and clothed
with authority for its discharge. You
will, therefore, perceive it will be for
you to ascertain In SO far as 1t is hui u
manly ascertainable, all the facts OF
the construction, equipment, manage.
ment and navigation Of the boat. " sSs .4
n .""And in this your inquiry will not
be limited to conditions existing at.
the instant Of the occurrence on July
"a, but you, will familiarize yourselves
with the career Of this boat and the
experiences of her owners, managers
and crew. In its management and
navigation. All this is ordered that
you may answer the question: Did
the occurrence result from any act or:
acts Of omission or commission en-
Joined by federal law on the parts
either OF the owners, managers, crew
Or other persons having to do with the,
subject matter, or on the part Of any
government off ial or officials charged
with the duty Of inspecting the same
matter b, !. 3. We 4. 1
Grand Jury Inspects Boat.
The grand jury went to the scene Of
the disaster and inspected the East;
land Judge Lands named George
Roberts, a. hotel man Of Arlington
Heights, as foreman Of the grand jury.
Z Meanwhile the department Of COM
merce quiz, under Secretary Redfelds
direction, proceeded In the federal
building. 3s} II III. 5.s y. N & &.
Secretary Redfield himself promised
a thorough quiz to discover the faults
Of the steamboat inspection service
and the shortcomings Of the officers
and crew Of the Eastland.
81 Two important points were brought
out. One was that the captain of a
vessel is the officer responsibleS for