New-York tribune., 1916-01-17
Officials Conducting IN
quiry Inclined to Dis
card Bomb Theory.
HUTCHINSON FINDS
BATTERIES O. X.
Edison Aid Defends Submarine
Devices-Navy Yard Chiefs
Keep Silent.

4 disciplined silence settled down
over the New York Navy Yard yester-
day rs Rear Admiral Nathaniel K.
Usher's Official board Of inquiry
opened its investigation OF tho explo-
sion which killed four men aboard the
dry-docked submarine E-2 Saturday
afternoon.
1t was apparent, however, that the
theory that the explosion was the out
come Of plot TO destroy the E-2 was
not being taken very seriously. Com
mander Upham, Ole Of Rear Admiral
Usher's aids, said the plot theory was
absurd.
"The inquiry has proceeded far
enough AT least to make IL certain II
was no bomb or Internal machine
which exploded aboard the E-2,' he
said
At the same time Miller Reese
Hutchinson, chief engineer for Thomas
A. Edison, and also member of the
naval consulting board, came forward
with a statement that he saw no rea-
sci for any changes in the theory,
construction or method OF installation
Of the Edison batteries.
But, having concluded his defence
Of the batteries. Mr.. Hutchinson Of
fered no substitute explanation OF the
explosion. He had formed an opinion,
he admitted. but did not feel at lib
eTty to express il after having en-
bodied il in an official communication
to Admiral Usher.
The board Of inquiry. composed Of
Lieutenant Commander Pope Washing
ton. Lieutenant /. VI. Stewart and
Lieutenant Rush s. Fay. was NJ work
early in the morning Survivors and
workmen who had been in the neigh
borhood of the E-2 when the explosion
shook the navy yard we're questioned.
while Mr.. Hutchinson. who had gone
10 the yard as EdiSon's personal rep
resentative. was examining the inte-
rior of the submarine.
Marines. however were on guard AZ
the shore end OF the Eangway leading
down TO the E-2 in drydock and Wis
itors were not permitted within twenty
feet of il.
Workmen swarmed along the gang
way. carrying out debris. Pv after
noon. when the board of inquiry de-
scended into the cigar-shaped hull,
small mountain Of twisted iron and
broken steel had risen on the dock.
The E-2's big Ryroscopic compass its
delicate mechanism seemingly un
harmed but its steel casing riven,
topped the tragic Junk heap.
But the E-2 vas keeping her troubles
to herself. Outwardy she WAS as
jaunty as she had been before the ac-
cident and apparently as sound.
OF the ten victims in tire Naval and
Cumberland Street hospitals all but
one are reported 10 have a good chance
for life. The one for whom least hope
is held is Louis l.. Miles, the E-2's
chief electrician. Several of his ribs
are broken, he is badly burned. and
doctors fear he has internal injuries
The body Of John p Schultz, one Of
the four men who were killed in the
explosion, was taken in the afternoon
from the Naval Hospital morgue to his
fathers home. at 80 Vernon Avenue,
Long Island City. Schultz was a civil
ian worker.
John b. Andrews. secretary of the
American Association for Labor Legis-
latiOn, who has interested himself in
the plight OF the civilian workmen
who met death and injuries aboard
the submarine, called attention 70 the
fact that their families will receive no
compensation.
1t is expected parallel investiga-
tion will be begun to-day by another
naval board, to be appointed by Sec
retary Daniels. The Secretary left for
Washington YESTERDAY without making
any statement regarding the explosion.