Evening star., 1934-09-14
Conboy Clashes With Ward
Line Counsel in Effort to
Subpoena Statements by
Passengers and Crew.
WITNESS ASSERTS BLAZE
STARTED AT l2:45 Am.
Storekeeper Testifies Orders Were
Lacking and InAammable Ma.
terials Were Used-Mrs. Nor.
ton to Seek Law Compelling
Inspection Of Ships.
BY the Associated Press.


NEW YORK, September l4--A
charge that the inquiry into the Moro
Castle disaster Is being hindered by
operators Of the ship and their at-
torneys marked the grand jury inves-
tieation of the ship fire today.
From United States Attorney Mar
tin Conboy came the charge yester-
day that the Ward Line and It's law
yers "have done all they can to pre-
vent the United States Attorney and
his aids from learning the facts"
Roscoe H. Hupper. Of counsel to
the Ward Line, replied that no one
from his firm had tried to silence
witnesses, and accused Conboy Of
making some loose talk" about the
law firm.
The exchange came during argu-
ment on motion by thu Ward Line
to quash q subpoena obtained BY the
Federal Attorneys ofiice, calling for
the production before the grand jury
Of all written statements made to the
lines counsel by passengers, cf1cers
or members Of the crew Of the Morro
Castle or any other persons with IN
formation concerning the burning Of
the ship. Judge Alfred G. Gone re-
served decision ON the motion.
It was learned that Ward Line
attorneys promised Federal oflicials
fun corporation.
Commerce Inquiry Continues.
The Department. Of commerce.
meanwhile, continued its search for
clues Of the cause Of the disaster.
IN four days Of testimony. the IN
vesti11turs have failed TO learn how
the ship caught iire, but there has
been aE t111 xcurpknt uf feeling that
there was elzizsS unnatural about
IN Jersey city Representative
Mary r. Norton stated that shs II
working on legislation which would
make mandatory - complete IN
spection Of every steamship that
enters an American port"
she said the legislation would be
Intended to prevent occurrences Of
disasters similar TO that which befeiI
the MORO Castle.
Sail Under Capt. Carey.
The Dollar Line President CIeve-
land sailed last night for San Franz
cisco with its captain and full stan
Of officers aboard, although during
yesterdays Department Of Commerce
inquiry the liners subordinate ON
GERS had testified they would not san
with Capt. Carey again because they
considered he had bungled the liners
rescue attempts when the Morro
Castle burned last Saturday morning.
II took 1t on the chin In New York.
but they'll get theirs In Frisco" the
captain commented as the ship sailed
two hours late because of the inquiry.
Investigators from the United States
attorneys ONCE again boarded the
beached Moro Castle at Asbury Park
In search Of evidence Of the cause Of
the disaster and also to md more VIC
TINS. Four bodies were removed from
the ruined hulk yesterday.
Adjourns Until Monday.
Following adjournment Of the i1ear-
ing until Monday, Dickerson N. Hoo
yer, head Of the Department of COM
merce Investigation. stated that his
major reaction to the evidence thus
far adduced is that In the future all
new passenger vessels must be fire.
proof throughout, both holds and
superstructure.
He said he felt that the Moro
Castle was constructed to comply with
al fire regulations, but, he added,
this was mot enough"
Hoover said he would make efforts
to have brought before his board the
steward who was directly In charge
of the writing room. where the fire
originated, and question him concern
ing the presence Of infiammsnle fiuid
there.
He win leave for washington to-
night, he announced.
Smelled Smoke at I3:l5.
Meanwhile before the Department
OF Commerce inquiry q New York City
fireman, John Kempf, declared that
as early as 12:45 eastern daylight
time) last Saturday morning he
smelled smoke on the liner. Other
witnesses have placed discovery Of
the fire, which destroyed the ship.
at shortly before am. eastern
standard time).
Dickerson N. Hoover. who y head
Continued on Page 4, Column j.