The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-28
PROBE OF EASTLAND
(oOnunusd From rir., r.r.,

t~connnued Prom First Pag~,
was being jammed down against tbs
bank. she would naturally tip toward
the rivers center N the captain tried
for II minutes TO right he boat with,
out attempting TO get off those ou
board there was negligence"
MI. Lynn said that he saw many
OF the crew leap on the wharf whTe
the ship was ~careening.
Tug Captain Tessihes.
Captain John O'Meara, OF the tug
kenosha, which was hitched 10 the
Eastland TO tow the ship out OF the
river, testified hat he did not take
hold OF the Eastland until after 7.25
several minutes after other witnesses
said the ship had begun to list. Even
then he waited for word to 20 ahead
and the captain OF the Eastland was
not working out the stern as was
necessary TO protect the screws. Cap
tain OMeara said he finally got the
word 10 go ahead. but before the tow
line was taut, the EastIand listed
dangerously and he stopped, but the
ship never righted. He had towed the
Eastland four times. and she always
listed, he said.
L. c. Wheeler. assistant division
superintendent OF the department OF
justice. submitted government in.
spection certificates. including the LAT.
est n issued by Robert Reid. July.
1915. al the request OF Captain Peder.
sen that the carrying capacity be in.
creased. This certificate allowed the
Eastland to take on $50
an Increase OF 500 over previous per.
mits.
Secretary Of Commerce Redheld to
night issued a second statement "a.
sorting that there was no truth in no.
ports that there was friction between
federal investigators and anybody
else. Mr.. Redfeld said he had arrang-
ed TO cooperate fully with United
States District Attorney Hoyne in try.
ing copiace blame for the accident.
n statement said that under the
law the steamboat inspection seryice
was Obliged TO make an Investigation.
but that b rules provided that such
an inquiry should be made by lnspec-
tors other than those concerned in
certifying the steamer. Il was pur.
posed therefore to call on the Mn.
waukee board TO hold the inquiry In
Chicago.
Officially Conducted.
The statement continues
In order that the seriousness of
his particular accident may be given
due weight, we shall arrange with
The local board OF inspectors TO have
VT. Thurman. OF the Department of
Justice, and myself conduct the in.
CURRY, with the assistance Of the com.
handing officers OF the steamboat in
spection service. II seems right 70 US.
however. that something more should
be done than that. and therefore I
have asked Mr.. Harry A. Wheeler,
vice president OF the Union Trust
Company. and Mr.. Marvin y. Pool. of
Hutler Brothers. TO act as unofficial
observers or partakers IN the inquiry.
u Is my purpose { ask hat the West.
ern Electric Company select some
technical member OF its star as a
third representative"
Efforts TO check up the total dead
made no progress TO-DAY. The Official
list Of Identified dead again totaled
b24. While the list OF missing grew.
only three bodies were recovered.
and divers said that probably no more
Than a Of victims remained In
the ship Divers walked the river
bed, hand In hand. today. but found
no corpscs. u was said that the mum.
Der Of missing might be greatly re-
duccd by wedding out DUPLICATION
and tardy reports from those saved.
While states Attorney Hoyne said
he had evidence that some 300 wers
on the chip. the government checkers
said that they were positive no more
than $500 went aboard. includinp
/ children.
a contract 20 raise the steamer
was let to-day and the work will be
begun as oon az possible. Many IN
uorals viii be- held tomorrow. and the
day has officially been proclaimed az
one of mourning public buildings hav
ms already been draped.
Peterson on Stand.
Captain Harry Peterson. OF the
Eastland. was called al a witness b.
The corOnors jury az a night session.
III" testified that be- sailed. among
other ships. tho N%orfhland. which Tor
q Time piled between chicago ana
Buffalo. A. y. and had been master
Of ships for 90 years
Tho states attorney interrupted 20
say
You made o. statement in my of.
nee o. : don't propose that you
should testify here as YOU may b. ~.
dIctpd Tor mauflauFhfer
am willing fo tell the truth. said
Captain Pedcrsnn But on advice OF
counsel The captain left the stand ana
vas at once tasen into custody by OF.
deere Joseph ~ Erickson. chief en-.
rInoer ri the Easiland. was excused
from trstIfying on the ramo grounds
ne Peterson.
Tho inquest q adjourned az mid
night until 10 o'clock Wednesday
morning