The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-29

boys carry about with them but
there was nothing by which to iden-
tify him.
The police guards at the armory
named him "the little Teller" They
took every one who went to the ar
mory to see him. Today flowers by
the bushel basket full began to arrive
for 1896" There were also numerous
offers to give him proper burial.
But the authorities have decided to
let troop Of boy Scouts have that
honor. 1896" will be buried with all
military honors.
Some how it seems that was the
best way of all said the grizzled old
police sergeant. 81 believe the little
fellerll sleep better If he's tucked in
by his own kind
An Appeal to President.
CHICAGO, July 29-President Will
son today was asked to appoint spec
ial commission to probe the Eastland
disaster and the history of all con-
nections federal steamboat inspectors
have had with the death ship since
she first dipped her barrel shaped
hull in the great lakes.
The request was made by resolu-
ton adopted today at a meeting Of the
aldermanic committee on harbors.
Charles E. Merriam introduced the
resolution, giving as his reason his be-
lief that the Investigation opened by
federal steamboat inspectors today at
which Secretary of Commerce Redfield
presided, does not merit public con-
fidence."
How government checkers were
changed while the laughing hundreds
of picnicers were still being jammed
onto the Eastland which became the
tombs of over 1900 was told today b.
the man supervising the job.
Arthur Robert H. McCreary, In
charge of the work, told the story to
Secretary Redfield and his committee
of federal steamboat inspectors in the
federal building. as the first witness
before that body.
McCreary said H. S. Oakley and L..
A. Lobdell were assigned to check lp
passengers who went on the Eastland.
He said after nearly 1000 had gone
aboard he took a walk around the
steamer" to see if the life saving
paraphernalia was all right.
why did you do that?" he was
asked; was that part of your duties. :"
''No," was the reply. but I just
wanted to see for myself if everything
was o. k"
while the checking was proceed
ing" said McCreary, Manager Green
baum, of the Indiana Transportation
company, came up and asked me to
send him fast checker for another
boat. I sent him Oakley and took
the latters place at the Eastland
gangplank. At that time, 2,450 hRd
gone aboard. When I had checked up
$500 I ordered the gangplank up, al
though many more wanted to get on
McCreary said the boat began to
list steadily even before the gang
plank was drawn up. He said he
thought sure the boat would right
herself The main deck, he said, was
full, land the upper deck had plenty
of people on it."
4 Just before the session opened, Sec
rotary Redfield read from the rules 81
| the service, explaining that the action
of his committee is in no sense trial
He explained that his. probe, by law,
must be confined to the actions OF
federal employees on duty at the East.
lands dock and that the probe was
not, specially ordered. but automatic
ally convened because Of the disaster.
1t was the magnitude Of the life loss.
he pointed out, that prompted him to
assume personal charge.
The investigators comprised Score
tary Redfield, w. A. Collins, and F. w.
MANHATTAN, OF the Milwaukee district,
CHOSEN because they we're not con-
cerned officially with an accident in
this jurisdiction; and several citi-
zens who are acting as unofficial men,
bers. Lieutenant Governor Barratt
OHara, as acting governor Of Illinois.
was permitted to participate and asH
questions, as was NJ. J. Sullivan, of