The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-27
EASTLAND HAD
TOO MANY ON IT.
HOYNE ASSERTS
Scores of Children on Boat;
Stubs Don't Show All.
Many Inquiries Under Way to
Fix Responsibility.
OVERLO LOADlNG WAS ARRANGED
Captain Makes Damaging
Statement Against Inspectors.
Wilson Envoy in Chicago to
Ayenge River Dead.
MANY BODIES STILL IN HULL
Bids for Raising Death Ship
Are Received Today.
Latest Estimates Make Total
Number of Victims 1920.
Wilson Envoy in Chicago to
Ayenge River Dead.
MANY BODIES STILL In HULL
Bids for Raising Death Ship
Are Received Today.
Latest Estimates Make Total
Number of Victims 1920.

Chicago, July 27.-With the taking
of testimony by the coronor's jury, the
first open investigation into the cap
sizing of the steamer Eastland started
today. At the same time investiga-
tions were being conducted by the
state grand jur.-. the federal auth
critics and the city council, while the
state public utilities commission an
nounced it would not conduct an in
vestigation as it had planned the rea-
son given being that the matter was
fully covered by other investigators.
Secretary of Commerce William G.
Redfield arrived today and took up
what he promised would be a thor
ough inquiry. short time later at
torneys from the United States dis
trict attorneys office visited all the
men held as witnesses and obtained
statement from them, at the same
time subpoenaing them to appear be-
fore the federal grand jury, which
meets Thursday.
RcdfieId Welcomes Inquiry.
Secretary Redfield said he welcom-
ed the most searching investigation
possible and that if an inspector were
at fault no one was more Interested in
it than he.
States Attorney Hoyne also was
active in his investigation and the CO.
operation that he received today from
both the federal authorities and the
police indicated that the threatened
strained relations among these three
sets of investigators had turned into
complete harmony.
Mr.. Hoyne said today that he was
confident the boat was overloaded.
From all accounts there were
scores of children on the boat, only
part of whom can be accounted for
by the ticket stubs,' he said.
The funerals of the victims contin-
ued to be held today, although the
to- ffr- h -f.I
row. The work of taking the bodies
from the river continued with una bat
ed energy. While the bridges around
the scene of the disaster were thrown
open to pedestrians this morning, the
order was soon rescinded, owing to
the enormous crowd that gathered.
Dead Placed at 1920.
At noon today. the official list of
dead and missing was:
Identified dead: S22; unidentified
dead, 5; missing. Western Electric
company list, 393. Total. 1870.
At the opening of the inquest. Cor
oner Hoffman announced that its OBJ
ject was to ascertain the cause and
place the blame where it belongs.
1T is the intention to make a fair
thorough and impartial investigation, -
said the coroner.
Victor A. OIander. secretary OF the
Lake Seaman's union. who had been
quoted as denouncing the United
States inspection service of lake life
boats. it was said would be a witness
before the coroner and the grand jury
Secretary Redfield. in a statement
issued today, not only denied that
steamboat inspectors were appointed
at the instance of steamboat owners
as had been charged. but also denied
that Olander had ever brought to his
attention the condition of the East
land.
RedfieId Replies 10 Critics.
Secretary Redfield. in his statement
added:
ION my arrival in Chicago this
morning L met d. \. Hoover. Jr
deputy supervising inspector general
OF the steamboat inspection service
and Capt. Charles H. Westcott the
supervising inspector of the Eighth
district. Both have been notified to
appear before the state grand iurv
l instructed them to say to that grand
jury and to any other properly con-
stituted authority that the department.
of commerce and the steamboat in
spection service have nothing to fear
or to conceal; that it desire the fullest
possible light thrown upon every de-
tail of its work and organization that
anyone. anywhere. may see fit to
make
Secretary Redfield said:
such an inquiry cannot be too
sharp and keen to please the steam
boat inspection service and the de-
partment.
Iney were told TO lay everything in
their possession and knowledge before
the state grand jury or any other legal
body. desiring information. They We're
instructed to say to the state grand
jury that ! will willingly appear be-
fore anybody to give them any in
formation in my possession.
Cooperation Is Promised.
They also were instructed to say
to the state grand jury that since the
local inspectors at Grand Haven,
Mich. who inspected the Eastland.
were possibly outside She Jurisdiction
of the state of Illinois. I would az
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 Cleve-
land, who had the vessel under his
care for some years and is possibly
IContinued from Page One.l