Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-31
Federal Grand Jury Making
Inquiry Into Stability
of Eastland.
FEDERAL ATTORNEY
HAS EVIDENCE
History Of Vessel and Alleged "cran-
ky" Actions Being Dslved lnto-Evi'
dance to 30 Presented to Show That
Eastiand's Owners Knew Of Her I'm
neutrality-suspicious. and Many Cit
ixeos Attend Novotny Boys Funeral


jury which is investigating the capslz-
ing of the Eastland in the Chicago
river last Saturday with the loss OF
hundreds Of lives. sought evidence re-
lating to the stability Of the boat when
it convened today. One OF the hrst
witnesses called was 8. G. jerks, OF
Port Huron. Mich. member of the firm
which constructed the vessel.
Before the. day 10 over United States
District Attorney Charles F. Clyne sex-
poets to present evidence showing the
history Of the boat and it's reported
cranky condition and past per-
formances and the knowledge the own
ers of the ship had Of this.
Mr.. Clyne announced the seizure OF
the Eastland by federal authorities did
not prevent state or municipal authors
ties from going on board on lawful
business, but that no one Will be al
lowed to tamper with the machinery.
Women Make Demands.
The Womans Civic Club OF Chicago
Is awaiting an answer to Its request
forwarded to President Wilson yester-
day for the addition to tho department
OF commerce board Of inQuiry Of two
United states naval engineers. two
naval architects, and two citizens OF
Chicago.
secretary Of commerce Redneld and
A. l. Thurman. solicitor Of the de-
partment Of commerce. wefA to 30 be-
fore the state grand jury today.
Examination Of federal inspectors
was continued BY Secretary Redfields Q
board today.
Boy vtoHius Hensred. .t
Public funeral servicss Assen0ed -
NOR. than /. eco spersens were held In
tu5e' ,be suburbs aa & clcsro,soday 4or W1llie
Novotnv. aRed Z: ono OF the Eastland
victiIn. whose body lay IN = morsus
for six days before being idenuneo.
The little white casket was piled high
with flowers sent from all over the
city.
willie's father, mother, and 12-year-
old sister, who also were drowned IN
the Eastland, were buried with him.
The only member Of the family left was
willie's aged grandmother.
A nrocession led by Mayor Thomp-
son and committee Of public officials,
four companies Of Boy Scouts dele
cations from numerous Bohemian
societies and band followed the
cortege to the cemetery.
Redfield Aroused by Criticism.
Secretary of Commerce William Red
field. stirred by criticism of his inquiry
into the Eastland disaster by local OF
ficials, said that he would make thor
oueh investigation Of the United States
steamboat inspection service II proper
charges against individual inspector:
Of the department are filed.
The secretary said that both he anc
the federal officials whose duty 1t wal
to "eive q square deal to all" had beer
prejudiced and mot given a chance
by Chicago officials and others.
The statement made by Mr.. Redfielt
followed a demand by Lieutenant Gov
ernor Barrett O'Hara, acting governor
OF Illinois, that the federal inquiry bt
widened ITO cover every activity OF the
United States steamboat service during
the last fifteen years"
Says It 10 Impossible.
Allen L. Thurman. solicitor for tns
department Of commerce. replied to thu
acting governors request in heated
speech and said:
1T can not be done; It is impossible
this request Of the lieutenant gov
ernor. The statute does not allow it
At the close Of the morning session
Secretary Redfleld adjourned the In
auiry until 10 o'clock Monday morning
and said that before that time meet
ing would be held, as Lieutenant Gov
ernor .OHara had suggested. to con
slider ways and means for widening tn,
investigation.
Solicitor Thurman advised Secretar!
Redfleld that the law does not author
Ire any such Investigation as that ask
ed by O'Hara.