The Alaska daily empire., 1920-07-26
SOPHIA CLAIMS HEARING STOPS
 THIS MORNING


 ial Commissioner Bruce Moburg, of Seattle in connection with the peti- tion of the Canadian Pacific Rail way Company for limitation of lia- bility" from damages as result of the Princess Sophia disaster came ! to an end at noon today, at least ! for the time being. Attorney Will fam Martin, representing 40 claim ants growing out of the wreck, stated this morning that he would | ask Judge Jeremiah Neterer, before whom the original petition had been filed, to extend the time of the hear ing and he expects to return to Juneau late next month or early in September to take more testimony
 The court order authorizing the proceedings before Commissioner Mo burg provides that the testimony must be completed on or prior to August 1. Martin stated that many and were out of reach at this time and it would be impossible for him to get them before the court before the season ends, and for this reason he will ask for further hearings at a later date Commissioner Moburg Mir. Martin and Lawrence Bogle, who appeared for the petitioner at the Juneau proceedings, left for Seattle on the steamer Alaska this after noon.
 Mrs. kaser On Stand
 At hearing held Saturday even ing. Mrs. E. H. kaser was called by Proctor Martin regarding a converSl- tion alleged to have been held by her with Agent F. w. w. Lowle of the Canadian Pacific Company. In answer to question from MT. Martin as to whether or not there had been such conversation and if so the nature of it, she replied that in asking MT. Lowle about the probability of the Estebeth's return to Juneau in time to take care of it's regular business, he had on the morning of Oct 24, told her that all the boats sent to help the Princess Sophia were standing by. Tha. she had called up the local Canadian Pacific office several times later, on each occasion being told that the Canadian boat was resting on an even keel, apparently safe, and that the boats nearby would stand by until high tide and then take the off. She said she talked to Mr. Lowle on the evening" of the same day, and he informed her that the Princess Alice was coming up and would be sent to the reef to take the passengers off of the Princess Sophia. in the meantime the boats would stand by. She said that on the same evening, reports were started that the Estebeth had beer sunk and again she called up MT L.owle who again informed her that the boats were all standing by and that the Alice was coming up to take the passengers off. Mrs. Kaser's story was not shaken by cross ex animation.
 kaser On Stand
 Following Mrs Kaser's testimony Dr. E. H. Kaser was called by MT Martin. He said that he went along on the Estebeth which vessc! he owns, as a passenger. He declared that it was possible for every pes senger to have been transferred from the Princess Sophia Oct. "A. and that the Estebeth and other vessels standing near were in readiness tC handle them. His story, while not as complete as that told by Capt Davis. was essentially the same. He said that he had not talked with Capt. Locke, but overheard p1rt O the conversation between him ane Capt. Davis. in which the latter tolt him that there was no chance foi the wind to go down.
 Passengers In Boat
 Dr. Kaser declared that at one l time. a number of passengers on the Princess Sophia got into iifeboat which was in the water on the star board side of the ship. He estimates there were from 15 to 20 persons in the boat. They remained there Du' a short time, returning almost 1rn mediately to the vessel. He was m able to say whether or not they were ordered to return. but said that while they were getting on the boat two oi the ships officers appeared on the upper deck directly over the hoa' and could have given such orders as almost as soon as they showed up those in the small boat got back on the Princess Sophia.
 Others Testify
 II. J. Raymond, who al the time of the disaster was with diver Jacob son. testified that he, having beer informed that the wreck was stii intact. went to see Agent Lowlc re garding sending a diver down to re cover the bodies. The latter in formed him, he said. that it was i'm possible for the vessel to be whole, and that it had broken in two pieces the stern being in deep water.
 Jack R. Rowe. of the Anita Ph:l- lips. testified that he was approached hv an official from the local Cana |