New-York tribune., 1920-11-16

could get Joseph P. Tumulty to do
was to have these cables referred to
John Barton Payne, chairman of the
Shipping Board at the time Of the in
cident.
Captain Chambless charged also that
the crew assigned to his ship, with the
exception of his chief mate, was in
competent. He said that in revenge
for his conhscation of liquor procured
by members of the crew during calls
at st. Thomas and .he Barbados they
had entered into a conspiracy with the
supercargo and assisted the acting con-
sui at Rio in carrying through plans
to oust their commander.
On his beng removed from command.
Captain Chambess said. the ship was
sent to Buenos Aires from Rio de
Janeiro in ballast when she could have
carried a cargo. He charged that this
was done "to favor British shipping
interests"
CAPITA Chambless testified that the
Lake Elkwood left Norfolk for Buenos
Aires in September. 1919, with q cargo
of $500 tons of coal. After leaving
the Barbados the vessel lost three of
her four propellers, due to the ship be-
ing overpowered By drifting" into
Rio, instead of wirelessing for assist
ance, the captain said. he saved the
government salvage bill of 100000.
On arrival at Rio, Captain Chambless
testified, Arminius Titus Haeberle, the
acting American consul, came aboard
and persuaded him to let him take
charge of the repairs, but only to the
extent of letting the consul ship a new
propeller the cost of which should not
have been more than $4,000. Captain
Chambless said that it should not have
faly L.
propeller shipped and installed In
stead, the consul ordered a board of
survey to inspect the ship, the captain
testified
AS result of the survey the ship
was docked in a repair yard and was
delayed there for forty-nine days, run
ming up bill of 100000. This delay
the captain asserted, took place against
his vigorous protest, as we'll as that
of his chief mate, Charles A. Elliott
while these repairs were pending
was told | better quit my objecting and
take my share of the gravy" said Cap.
tain Chamblee, "but I refused"
On his refusaY TO support the Con
sul's action, the captain testified
charges were preferred against him
He was taken ashore by armed guards
and his personal property, we'll as
81 900 of the ships funds, were con
Brazilian court. He also testified
that he was assaulted by his chiet
engineer, two of the under deck off
GERS and the supercargo, but was savee
from serious injury by his mate. This
assault he said, occurred in q board
ing house at Rio.
Acting Consul Haeberle, he said ther
brought charges against him through
the State Department, alleging intem
perance, ineficcncy and dereliction O.
duty. Similar charges were brough
by the Consul against Charles Elliott
the captains mate. Both were ac
quilted by inspectors of the Steamboa
! Inspection Service on their return te
this country for lack of evidence,
The captain said.
Elliott, who followed Captain Cham
bless on the witness stand, supporte,
the latter's testimony. He said tina
the only thing the Lake Elkwood need
ed was new propeller. Tnstead," h
said. "they took the ship to pieces"
Elliott said that not only was b.
taken ashore forcibly. together Will
Captain Chambless, but was kept il
Jail for five days, until the ship ha.
sailed, without any charge being pre-
! ferred against him. He said the con
sui told him the charge was brough