Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1915 — LANDIS IN WARNING TO FEDERAL JURORS [ARTICLE]

LANDIS IN WARNING TO FEDERAL JURORS

Tells Them Not to Heed Talk About Eastland. INQUIRY STARTED BY U. S. Members of Jury Visits Scene of Disaster and Inspected the Wrecked Steamer—Secretary Redfield’s Quiz Also Proceeding.

Chicago, July 30/—Judge Kenesaw M. Landis in the United States court iu instructing the federal grand Jury, which started an inquiry into the Eastland disaster, delivered what was considered as a deliberate rebuke to Secretary of Commerce Hedfleld. Judge I-andis directed the jury to make a full investigation into the tragedy and tlx the responsibility on whatever shoulders were found guilty. At the conclusion of his instructions, Judge Landis said. “One word by way of caution. Much publicity lias been given the declarations purporting to emanate from official sources in vindication of the conduct of persons with whose acts you will he concerned. Of course, 3 ou Will not be impressed by any such publication, no matter how high the purported authority may be, just as you will not be Influenced by any publication respecting any other thing or matter involved.”

Taken as Rebuke to Redfield. This was taken in oiflclal circles to he directed at Secretary Hedfleld, who, since his arrival In Chlhago, has given out several interviews upholding all actions of the federal inspectors and controverting charges made against the service. In ids instructions Judge Landis made the scope of the grand jury’s work so broad that it may include an investigation of the department of commerce right up to Secrotury Redlleld’s office.

“It will he for you to inquire whether the navigation laws of the United States have been obeyed and to act according to your determination of that fact. Those laws deal with the construction, equipment, munagemeht and navigation of passenger-carrying craft. “A department of the government is charged with the duty of enforcing obedience to their terms; officials are charged with this duty and clothed with authority for its discharge. You will, therefore, perceive It will be for you to ascertain in so far as it is humanly ascertainable, all the facts of the construction, equipment, management and navigation of the boat. "And in this your inquiry will not be limited to conditions existing at the instant of the occurrence on July 24, but you will familiarize yourselves with the career of this boat and the experiences of her owners, managers and crew, in Its management and navigation. All this is ordered that you may answer the question: ‘Did the occurrence result from any act or acts of omission or commission enjoined by federal law on the, parts either of the owners, managers, crew or other persons having to do with the subject matter, or on the part of any government official or officials charged with the duty of inspecting the same matter’’ ”

Grand Jury Inspects Boat. The grand jury went to the scene of the disaster and inspected the Eastland. Judge Landis named George Roberts, a hotel man of Arlington Heights, as foreman of the grand Jury. Meanwhile the department of commerce quiz, under Secretary Redfleld’s direction, proceeded in the federal building. Secretary Redfleld himself promised a thorough quiz to discover the faults of the steamboat inspection service and the shortcomings of the officers and crew of the Eastland. Two important points were brought out. One was that the captain of a vessel is the officer responsible for any overcrowding. Inspector General George Uhler of the steamboat inspection service gave this testimony. The other was that Inspectors Oakley and Lobdejl, who counted the passengers aboard the Eastland, were not required to make any report to any superior on the number of passengers. Oakley is twenty years old and a junior at Northwestern university. Lieutenant Governor O’Hara brought out by his questions that Oakley and Lobdell could enter into an agreement to overload the boat and leave no record of the occurrence. Secretary Redfleld followed up this line of quizzing by having Oakley testify that he was at all times sworn under oath to do his duty. Frank W. Van Patten and W. A. Collins, steamboat inspectors stationed at Milwaukee, are the official Investigators who must sign the findings. Assisting them were Albert Thurman.

ebliCltor of the' department of commerce, and George Uhler, inspector general of the steamboat inspection Bervice.