The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-27
Democratic Senators BeeUe League WH LO But fot As P
FOLLOWING THEIR LEADER CAUSED DISASTER AT SEA
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 (COntInned from Page One) the witness. inasmuch as he was their superior officer, years ahead of them In seniority.
 Docs seniority ever take the place of common sense," he was asked.
 They are supposed to be synono- nous" he replied.
 Under the questioning of Admiral William V. Pratt, presiding member of the court of injury Captain Nor ris, who is one of the 19 officers named defendants in connection with the disaster. told how his division ran into thick fog on Puget Sound last summer and was saved from dis aster only by quick reduction of speed and immediate resort to sound ings.
 We found we were in only seven quickly, he said.
 Complimented For Skill.
 "Was that trying position, Ad- miral Pratt inquired.
 "Yes"
 '"Did the officers of the division behave with coolness and efficiency"
 Yes"
 DO you remember receiving a com D. 2 stroyer force commander for your skill in eXtricating your division from peril.
 ''Yes, did receive such a message"
 If you had been in command of destroyer squadron Eleven on the gone on the rocks =
 T do not like to flatter myself" responded the witness, but inasmuci. as I am testifying under oath, I will say no. It would not have gone ol, the rocks"
 Asked to name the destroyers in his division at the time they were extricated from danger with such skill as to excite the commendation of the destroyer force commander, Captain Morris named the N. P. Lee, the Young, the Nicholas and the wrecked off Honda and all four of whose commanders are defendants in the investigation.
 Took All Precautions.
 T am bringing all this into the record" explained Admiral Pratt, ito show that the captains usually ham dled their ships in seaman-like manner"
 The presiding member of the court then asked the witness if he had taken all possible precautions for the safety of hls division on the night of the Honda disaster.
 ''Yes." answered Captain Morris, considering the fact that l was part of military formation and subordi- nate to a senior officer whose se- niorlty I was bound to respect.
 Captain Morris said he was not worried by the course the Delphy was steering up to g o'clock, and that when she made a sudden east ward turn at that time without con- sulting the ships astern he had no choice but to follow her lead ana only three minutes in which to dis cover that the lead was dead wrong, for she struck the rocks within that time
 "The Delphy picked the worst pos sible spot on the coast to go aground" he added. At any other place we could have saved most of the ships"
 Captain Morris was followed on the stand by Commander William l.. Cal houn, captain of the United States steamship Young, who corroborated his testimony that there was ncth- ing wrong with the Delphy S. course until she turned and that tben tSey had no choice but to follow her lead. of opposing the action in behalf of the4 state when fhe court battle be- gins, told newspaper men that sev- eral types of legal action might be filed under existing laws. He added that he did not know what to ex- pect. The nature of the proceedings. | he said, would determine the place of filing.
 "JOurna1" Basis For Suit.
 "rhe Journal of the house" de- signed to show that the session was regularly called today and that 1t was dispersed is expected to be made the basis for the suit.
 The Journal, written on stationery of the local hotel where the legisla- tors made their headquarters de- scribes the proceedings as follows:
 Corridors of the hall of represen- tatives September 26. 1923, 12 noon.
 Representative Charles S. Brice. ascertaining that 66 members of the house of representatives were pre- sent, called the house to order at which time Colonel William $. Key intervened and commanded that the house of representatives disperse af- ter which he read his orders fiA)m the governor of the state of Okla homa authorizing such command.
 Representative Stovall: "Win you please explain the order, Colonel Key.
 "Colonel Key: The order which have just read is self explanatory
 Representative Stovan: You have the entire military force of the state at your command. do you? Colonel Key: I refuse to answer the question:.
 Representative Disney: Did you state that you would not answer any questions?
 Colonel Key: No. sir ''Repres sentative Disney: Are you dispersing us as members of the house of representatives Colonel Key: Yes sir
 Representative Disney: Very well sir
 Colonel Key: Please do'us the courtesy to move on
 Representative Boyer: Am I dis persed as a member of the legisla- ture?'
 "Colonel Key: Refuse to answer any individual questions, the orders have been very explicit (turning). Major. McCarty, please see that the room is cleared.
 Tense Scene Enacted. l But this unembellished record drew | no picture of the tense scenes at tending the clash between legisla- tors and the grim faced soldiers Rift In Walton