The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-07-30
CARRYING CAPACITY
Of EASTLANO NOT
ALWAYS 2,5O0
Steamboat Inspector Robert
Reid Tells Of Reducing Lin
it from 5000 and Then Rails
ing 1t to $500.

tby Eyen1nE Hsrnil Leased wireI
Chicago, July 30.--Robeft Reid
United States Inspector OF steamboats,
testified at Secretary Redneld's East
lend inquiry today concerning his ex
animation of the vessel and also abon
the appointment OF his son-in-iaw
}. NJ Erickson. as her chief engineei
In 1895 when he nrst saw the East
land her official capacity was 3.00O b
said. but later when II came his turi
to Inspect her. he reduced II to 2,0fd
hasing his figures on her live-savinl
apparatus rather than on her decl
space. the customary basis.
Tho witness said that his s0n-in
law had applied for the position o
chief engineer of the Enstland at IN,
request OF His wife aud that WIN. n
HUN, vice president OF the companJ
which owned the steamer had written
a letter to the Grand Haven inspec.
ton board asking aboaut Erickson's
quliiications. Erickson was later ap.
pointed chief engineer.
Inspector Reid said that at one
time he had angered Hun by refusing
TO grant "A certificate OF Inspection TO
the steamer Eugene r.. Hart.
Il have had my character attacked
more than once" said the witness.
because J refused To- cprtify boats.
Inspector Reid declared that no
boat owner had ever tried to influence
him In making Inspections OF vessels.
At one time. the witness said. he
had threatened To- take away the
iioense of Captain Harry Petersen
commander of the Eastland. because
he had thrown on stern line ON the
Enstland without warning nearDy
boats which were endangered by Me
act.
Inspector Reid told of amending
the Eastland'a capacity certificate
july =. 1915, allowing, her to carry
1000 passengers. The ncw permit.
he said, was based ON the addition OF
four lie RATS to her 1--we saving
equipment. The witness admitted
ihat when he issued the new permit
lac was oaly advised of the new life
rats by an Namdavt from Captain
Petersen. but he said. -Four days
later I saw the RATS myself on the
vessel"
First clash Of the investigation oc.
CURED when Michael sullivan, as.
sisiunt To states Attorney Hoyne
took up the questioning OF Reid.
You don't ask fair questions,
said \. l.. Thurman, solicitor OF ths
department of commerce.
what YOU ask about the right oi
appeal from local inspector To tn,
l. l..
utca. Thus man Is not luwycrf
III this man, who had thousandl
OF lives under his care, hs not famil
lar with the common practices oi
the inspection bureau We want 1,
know II" Mr sullivan replied. aud re
plcnted his question.
The supervising Inspector has tn
power To overule the local man" re
piled the witness.
How many times has that beei
DONE asked Mr.. sullivan.
Now give him chance" inter
rupted Mr. Thurman.
fOh. he is well protected" sal
Mr.. sullivan. In how many IN
stances have there been appeals fron
your decision as an Inspector Ia
dHhtu tue Mliutkts
About four. think was the re
ply. 4
Reid then said that Mrs. Erickson
wanted her husband on the Eastland
80 that he could live IN st. Joseph.
Mich. which was her home.
Lieutenant Colonel VIM. A. Jud-
son OF the local government engin-
ecring corps testified concerning the
depth of the river ana said he did not
believe the boat could have grounded.
y. B Nelson. supervising inspector
questioned by Congressman SABBATH
testified that the Eas,lnnd was "aD-
sulutely safe FOR 1000 persons II the
ballast tanks were properly handled" 4"
Secretary Redhcld and MIR. Thur
man asked permission 10 go before
the state grand jury and their re-
quest was granted by States Attorney
iloyne
Dissatisfaction with the progress oi
the Rcdheld inquiry was expressed b.
Max NJ korshnk. ASSISTANT corpora
tion counsel
Secretary Redheld. In commenting
on the fear expressed by local "iii-
elnls that the Inquiry into the fiist'
land disaster which ne is conducttni
viii not be thorough aud Impartial
said.
This inquiry has Just begun. Wal
until the end before forming conclns'
ions"
a special order prohibiting any per.
sons but government officials from
convcrslng with witnesses who are ts
appear before the federal Grand jurJ
Was issued today By Judge Lands.