New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-06
President Promises Chi
cago He Will Make In
vestigation His Duty.
BOARD NOT READY
TO PLACE BLAME
Secretary Redfield Adjourns In
quiry Pending Action by
Federal Grand Jury.


President Wilson in regard to the
Eastland disaster, as most timely
stated in letter received from him to-
day b. Mayor Thompson, goes far
toward holding back a storm of pro-
test aroused by the preliminary report
of the Federal board, given out to-day
by Secretary of Commerce Redfeld,
coupled with his postponement of the
| inquiry.
The Public Be-Satis6ed.
President Wilson in his letter to
Mayor Thompson states that he will
make it his duty to see that the investl-
cation of the steamer Eastland disas-
ter is entirely satisfactory TO the
public.
! The letter is il answer to a commu-
nicatior which Mayor Thompson sent
TO the President several days ago,
which contained a copy of the resolu-
tiQns passed by al committee of the Chi
cage City Council demanding that the
! Federal government make a thorough
investigation of the Eastland accident,
Independent of the inquiry being CON
Quoted by Secretary of Commerce Red
/ field.
"May ! not beg" says the President.
chat you will assure the members OF
! the committee of my very profound in
terest in this investigation. and say
that from the first it has had my care
full attention? -.
81 shall make it my duty to see to it
| that the investigation does not result
in way which will not be entirely sat
isfactory to the public
Not Prepared TO Blame.
Secretary 0. Commerce Redfeld in
/ his announcement said that no more
witnesses would be called in the IN
| ouiry until after the Federal grand
| Jury has concluded its investigation.
| He also gave out a preliminary report
| Of the Federal board, in which it said
/ that as the investigation is not com
plete the board is not prepared to fix
/ blame nor state what agency caused
| the Eastland disaster. Reeommen-
/ dations are made. in effect, as follows:
! A board of naval architects to pass
on the plans for the steam merchant
vessels prior to construction where the
tonnage is more than 100.
These vessels shall not be put into
service until their safety, seaworthi-
ness and stability have been demon
strated TO the satisfaction of the board.
! An agency to which appeal from
/ this board may be made
Where passenger carrying capacity
is increased by local inspectors, said
increase must be approved in writing
I by supervising inspector Of district.
Alterations to vessels subsequent TO
construction must have approval OF
naval board.
The report suggests that Secretary
Redfield Immediately issue the follow
| ing regulations:
| Increases in passenger carrying per-
mits must be issued by inspectors only
after personal inspection, OF which
| there must be written record.
All inspectors are ordered to make
"inclining tests" where there is sus-
picion as to stability, the test to be un-
| der the supervision OF naval architects
provided by the Department OF Com
merce.
Secretary Redfeld will leave for
| Washington tomorrow afternoon and
will deliver a copy of the report to the
President. He said he could not pre-
dict when the hearing would be re-
sumed, except that IL Will De alleI INC
Federal grand jury has completed It's
work.
Steamer Tests Begin.
Stability tests for big lake passenger
steamers. ordered by the city as re-
suit Of the Eastland disaster, began to-
DAY with the steel whaleback excursion
steamer Christopher Columbus, under
the direction of United States Naval
| Constructor Alderman.
The vessel steamed to point in the
inner harbor basin opposite Grant
Park, and 1900 bags of sand weighing
| 100 pounds each were piled along one
rail. 1t was estimated that the sand
/ bags euualled the weight of 4,7OO
passengers, which is nearly one thou
| sand more than the authorized carry
| ing capacity.
The test was success. according to
the experts aboard, as the great weight
of sand listed the boat only II degrees.