New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-28
OVERLOADED AND
CRANKY, EXPERTS
BRAND EASTLAND
HarbOrmaster and Assist
ant Testify 1900 Was
Vessels Limit.
REDFlELD DENIES
INQUIRY CLASH
Secretary Defends Inspectors
and Announces Investiga-
ton of His Own.

Chicago, July 27. Overlooking, I'M
derballasting and grounding on the
river bottom were cited to-day in tes-
timony at the Coroner's inquest as rea-
sons why the steamer Eastland toppled
over Saturday at its wharf and drowned
hundreds Of excursionists.
Adam F. Weckler. harbor master,
and Joseph r. Lynn. assistant harbor
master, both Of whom were present
when the steamer capsized with $500
persons, its licensed capacity, aboard,
in ascribng the accident to these
causes, told the Coroner's jury that
the boat was cranky" and should
never have been permitted by govern
ment inspectors to carry more than
1900 persons.
While the Coroner's jury was hear
Ing this and other testimony, Secretary
Of Commerce Redfeld looked over the
upset boat and watched divers comb
Ing the wreck and surrounding waters
recover three more bodies. He stated
formally that government supervision
had not been lax, and that the East
land had safely carried many more
passengers than were aboard when the
ship rolled over. He said that Fed
eral officers would do everything pos
sible 10 fix the blame. if there was
any, let it rest where it might The
Secretary also offered to order the in
spectors at Grand Haven and Cleye-
land, who were familiar with the East
land, to Chicago, in case the grand jury
wished to examine them. lie denied
that the inspectors had been appointed
through the influence Of ship owners.
Redfeld Issues Statement.
Secretary Redfeld issued second
statement tonight, asserting that
there was no truth in reports that there
was friction letween Federal investi-
gators and anybody else. Mr.. Redfield
said he had arranged to cooperate
fully with United States Attorney
C!yne in trying to place the blame for
the accident.
"In order that the seriousness OF
this particular accident may be given
due weight. we shall arrange with the
local board of inspectors to have Mr..
Thurman. of the Department of JUS
tice, and myself conduct the inquiry
with the assistance Of the commanding
officers Of the steamboat inspection
service. II seems right to US. however,
that something more should be done
than that. and therefore | have asked
Harry A. Wheeler vice president OF
the Union Trust Company. and Marvin
B. Pool. of Butler Brothers, to act as
unofficial observers or partakers IN the
inquiry. It is nv purpose to ask that
the Western Electric Company select
some technical member of its stan as
"a third representative"
The inquiry, Secretary Redheld says
is to begin on Thursday.
Believes Valves Out of Order.
Harbor Master Weckler testified that
he arrived at the Eastland's wharf
twenty minutes before the steamer
was due 10 start. and saw that the boat
was listing to port. He said he called
on Captain Petersen of the Eastianc
to trim the vessel. shouting that h'
would not open the Clark Street bridge
until the boat was righted.
Mr. Weckler said the captain tried
to right the ship. but seemed unable
to take water into the ballast tank:
fast enough. The harbor master SAID
he had no doubt the tanks had been
pumped dry, but that the captain
should have been able to fill them II
from three to six minutes if nothing
had been wrong with the valves.
81 don't think that the Eastlanc
should have been allowed to carry more
than 200 passengers" said Mr.. Week
Ter. at did not have enough draft anc
stability. Only last Tuesday | tolc
Captain Petersen that his boat needed
trimming. as it was constantly trav'
cling on its ears. He said that the