New-York tribune., 1922-08-08
Ships Captain
Scents Plot lin
Death Charge
Accused of killing Sailor,
He Says 1t Is Conspi-
racy Directed at Higher
Officials Through Him
Vessels Medical Staff De-
ciares End Was Due to
Collapse of Drug Addict

On the eve Of Federal investigation
into charges by members of the crew
of the United States Lines steamship
president Van Buren against CAPTAIN
.. n. Miles, y. s. N. R. F., alleging
that he beat to death Albert Baxter, .
pantryman, who was buried at sea
June 2e, while, the ship was en- route
to London, Captain Miles made his
first public reply last night. He de-
nounced the charges as due to a con-
spiracy directed through him at higher
officials.
After testimony taken In a hearing
OF the Shipping Board Department of
Investigation. which examined Captain
Miles and fifteen other witnesses last
Wednesday, had been submitted yes
terday to Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney G. Tarleton Goldthwaite
by Deputy Chief John G. Meehan. who
conducted the inquiry, announcement
was made that hearing will begin
to-day before Mr.. Goldthwaite.
Captain Miles, who was carried
ashore when the President Van Buren,
docked in New York on July Is, was
said to be suffering from gas poisoning
consequent on his entering a leaky
tank while on an inspection trip just
before the ship docked. He was dis
charged from St. Mary's Hospital. Ho-
boken, week ago. At his home, 2S3
Prospect Place, Brooklyn, last night
ne said the charges against him were
directed not alone at him but more par
ticularly at persons higher up in the
shipping world. Asked il he referred
to officials Of the United States Ship
ping Board, he declined to reply.
Ready for Sea Duty
GAIL am able to say for publica-
tion," said Captain Miles, ais that there
does not exist the shadow of founda-
tion for charges. They are due to an
attempt to get somebody more impor-
tant in the service than I am through
me. I do not think the plan will sue
ceed.
"a few days ago appeared before
the Board Of Steamboat Inspectors.
They questioned me with regard to
allegations said to have been placed
before the Shipping Board / was
under examination several hours. At
the conclusion of the questioning I
had been found discreditable to my
record as an officer. left that Office
with my ticket in my pocket and am
free to go to sea tomorrow if / choose
to do so. / intend to sail as soon as I
get ship. II any authorities wish to
detain me they will have to place me
under arrest
Did Not Know Baxter
81 did not know the man Baxter
whom / am alleged to have beaten.
I was never in personal contact with
him in my life. / was made aware
of his illness and its causes through
reports of subordinate officers. To my
knowledge the man received no ILL
treatment.
s"There is more in all this than ap-
pears on the surface. have been q
seaman twenty-eight years. For six
teen years / have commanded Ameri-
can vessels. During the war COM
manded the United States transport
Santa Olivia. The, report of Admiral
tion of my ship at the close of the
war is on file in Washington. The re-
port speaks for itself / was q tenn
porary captain on the Presidents Van
Buren,. The trip on which Baxter's
death occurred was my frst ia that
ship.
From what am able to gather the
men who appeared before the Ameri-
can Consul General in London, Robert
F., Simmer, were what are known as
'vacationists.' We had a number of
them in the crew--college men and
others-who shipped merely TO get as
far as London. These men have no in
tention of following the sea. They
abandon ship in the port they desire
to reach. do not know how they came
to be signed on. Perhaps investigation
may elicit this information"
According to the medical staff of the
President, Van Buren, Baxter'a death
was due to physical collapse following O
period of drug dementia, which necessi-
tated his being confined in strait
jacket. When che vessel docked at
Tilbury, London, committee of her
crew called on the American Consul
and filsd chargaa ssaanst Captsip
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