The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-19
RANDALL DEFIES
 SHIPPING BOARD
 IN. ASKING TRIAL
Hints New Probe Is Effort to Discredit Findings of Inspectors Who EXoner- ated Him at Hearing.

New York Oct.- -Bewildered by the series of investigations to which he has been subjected since the charge was made against him that he passed a motor boat in distress ten days ago Captain Albert B. Randall, of the steamship Hudson, yesterday declined to be further investigated
 Two Investigations thus far held have completely exonerated him of any dereliction of duty. One was held by the U. s. Board of Steamboat In spectors. The other was held by the port officials of the United States Lines. which operate the Hudson.
 Yesterday, when the Shipping Board officials commenced another investigation under Col. Robert M. Watkins, marine superintendent, Captain Randall respectfully declfn- ed to appear. He seemed to suspect that some one in the line was trying to "get him.
 Captain Randall said:
 CT have refused to give further tes- timony on the ground that the Con- stitution of the United States-also the spirit of fair play for which America is renowned--provides that when a man is acquitted by the highest. courts in my case the U. S. Board of Steamboat Inspectors it is unfair that he be retried.'
 Yesterdays investigation was com . menced following the sailing Monday i evening of the Hudson with all avail able witnesses in Captain Randall s behalf. In declining to appear before Colonel Watkins. Captain Randall submitted the following reasons:
 "1-An investigation was duly held by the only legally constituted author ity to hold Investigations in the United States. viz: the U. S. Local Inspectors of steam vessels, branch of the De partment of Commerce.
 ''This investigation by Board that has complete authority and which could have revoked my license as : master, or disciplined me, has com pletely exonerated me, and has so said in public statement. If for no other reason than the fact that it would. in my opinion be a gross discourtesy to these gentlemen, to submit to fur ther investigation, and might be con- strued as a reflection, not much upon their authority as upon their Judgment, and possibly upon their integrity
 "2-I do not intend to submit to an investigation which, from the facts as have already appeared. would, in my opinion, be prejudiced, to say the least. and which is to be held in a manner that is not based upon any of the standards of fairness. I would have been ready at any time to have sub
 mitted to a public investigation al heard and questions asked by those interested.
 's3-My refusel to come to the of flee of your board is based also upon | ] eration by the board of local inspec- tors, the statements made by those presumably in authority clearly indi- cated that any decision or findins /! which might in any way be favorable to me would not meet with their ap- prova1; obviously, an investigation !; conducted by anyone who was al : ready prejudicide, or who had already : prejudiced the matter, could not be fair.
 "4-In doing this, I am acting up , on the advice of counsel and as I an
 thoroughly aware of my rights in the
 matter I intend to pursue vigorously any remedies which may be afforded to me by the law against those mak-
 ing false and misleading statements tC
 the public.'
 A. F. Mack, district manager of the
 U S. Shipping Board, to whom the
 Board of Inquiry reports in such mat
 ters said last evening that there wa!
 no course open to the Shipping BoarC
 but to keep Captain Randall in suS
 pension after his refusal to appear fol I inc inquiry.