The Washington times., 1928-11-17
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traband was brought aboard by .
few members of the "black gang"
without the knowledge of the ships
owners. after the vessels manifest
was signed by the port authorities.
This would have been contrary to
law, but the angle in the story that
aroused Tuttle's attention was a re-
port that the contraband may have
been shipped aboard through the
coal bunker door which is alleged
to have been left open, allowing
water to flood the ships interior.
It was pointed out that the con.
spirators, working hurriedly, might
easily have forgotten to close the
door in their haste to finish the
job.
The only known basis for the re-
port is that two cases OF revolvers
and cartridges were listed in the
manifest Of the Vestris.
Probing the Delay
Charles Verchere and James Mac
donald, the wireless operators whose
reticence on the stand yesterday
aroused Tuttle's ire, may be recalled
for further questioning today. They
declared that nearly all the mes
offices had been handled by
Sparks" O'Loughlin, the heroic
operator who went down with the
ship.
The point which Tuttle emphas-
ized again and again was the delay
in summoning aid. Macdonald ad-
mitted that q message we may
need aid" had been sent from the
Vestris on Monday 20 minutes be-
fore the so s was flashed, but
later declared he did not recall
whether this happened.
Arthur J. Costigan, OF the Radio
Marine Corporation, is expected to
throw light on the situation when
he completes a search for messages
which passed between the ship and
the offices of the line. Costigan,
the last witness to take the stand
yesterday, may have his report
ready today.
Meanwhile Secretary of the Navy
Wilbur has ordered all Navy radio
stations to forward to the depart.
ment all messages received from
the Vestris during her fatal voyage.
Customs Inquiry
A second inquiry, conducted by
customs authorities. was to be con-
tinued today. Witnesses who testi.
~ at the Tuttle investigation also
will be questioned at the customs
inquiry, which aims to establish the
condition of the vestris before her
departure. Capt. C. T. Chaolton and
William III. Powers, chiefs OF the
local inspection bureau, who are
~ ffrrnp hi =
that all testimony taken yesterday
had indicated that the Vestris had
been seaworthy and equipped ac-
cording to law.
Three high officials of the Depart.
nlent of Commerce, ordered by Secre-
tary of Commerce Whiting to take
charge of the investigation of the
United States steamboat inspection
service and determine whether the
New York inspectors were guilty of
negligence in passing the Vestr4s as
seaworthy, arrived here last night.
They are Dickerson N. Hoover,
supervising inspector general of the
United States steamboat inspection
service; Walter F. Brown, assistant
secretary of the Department of Com.
merce, and Ephraim Morgan, solici-
tor of the department.
These three officials will confer
with Tuttle today to establish CO.
operation between the Department
Of Justice and the. Department OF
Commerce in the investigation.
British To Probe
Hoover said that IL he gathers
evidence showing that the local in.
spectors were negligent in examin.
ing the Vestris he would turn the
evidence over to the United States
attorney in New York for possible
prosecution.
Sir Harry Closter Armstrong,