Scores of Picnickers Drowned When Steamer Capsizes While Docked at Chicago
HARRISBURG WWmm TELEGRAPH
LXXXIV— No. 170
HUNDREDS PERISH WHEN LAKE STEAMER
LOADED WITH EXCURSIONISTS PREPARED
FOR DAY'S OUTING CAPSIZES AT CHICAGO
2,500 PERSONS
FALL IN RIVER
AS VESSEL LISTS
Scenes Which Surpassed Those of the Iroquois Theater
Fire Witnessed After Disaster; Thrilling Stories of
Rescue Told by Survivors; Families Prepared For
Few Hours' of Pleasure Separated by Death; In
vestigation Started Immediately and Indications
Are That Grand Jury W ill Consider Case; Steamer
Eastland Was Among Fastest Vessels on Lake
Chicago, July 24.—Hundreds of persons were drowned to-day
when the steamer Eastland, crowded with 2500 employes of the
Western Electric Company, capsized in the Chicago river. Four
after the accident rescuers were still taking bodies from the
through holes chopped in its hull and estimates of the death
list ran from 1200 to 1500. At 11 o'clock nearly 500 dead had been
found.
Deputy Coroner David Jones and Sheriff John E. Traeger, of
Cook county, who are directing the work of removing bodies from
the hull of the Eastland, stated that from reports of the bodies still
within the hull they feared the list of, dead would reach 1200 and
might reach 1500.
The crowding of passengers to one
side of the boat Is supposed to have
caused the tragedy but authorities, not
satisfied with this explanation, ordered
the arrest of offlirers of the boat and
Captain Harry Pendcrscn mid Dell
Fisher, first mate, were taken to police
headquarters.
Panic struck the passengers when
the boat began to turn over. Best
accounts of the witnesses said the
steamer rolled slightly twice, then
turned further and that hundreds of
screaming, struggling men, women and
children slid across the sloping decks,
fought for room and clutched at com
panions. deck chairs or any other ob
ject that came to lutnd.
CAUGHT BELOW DECKS
Women and children by the hun
dreds were caught below decks and the
scratched faces, torn clothing and
bruised bodies of the dead bore mute
evidence of the desperation with which
they had fought for life.
The steamer turned over in less
than five minutes. Members of the
crew shouted warnings as the steamer
first tilted and endeavored to drive
the passengers to the upper side of the
deck but the incline was already too
steep.
Slowly, so as to agonize the specta
tors drawn to the scene by the shouts
of warning and fear, the great steel
hulk turned bottom up, pouring its
passengers into the river,
Some 7,000 tickets liad been dis
tributed for the excursion and five
steamers chartered by the company.
The Eastland was first to receive its
quota, and when its chartered capac
ity was reached federal Inspectors or
dered that no more be taken alxiard.
The boat was docked on the south side
of the river and when the hundreds
hurrying to the boat were turned back
from It they streamed across the Clark
street bridge to the steamer Theodore
Roosevelt, which was to take the sec
ond load.
SCREAMS HALT RUSH
Screams of the Eastland victims
halted tills rush and the bridge was
jammed with people until police, fear-
THE WEATHER
For Harrtsburg and vicinity! Fair
to-night i Sunday incrrailng
rlomllneaa) not much change in
temperature.
For Kustern Pennsylvania i Pair
to-night, followed by lucreaaiug
cloudiness Sunday) moderate
temperature! fresh northwest
winds.
River
The Susquehanna river and its
tributaries will continue to fall
slowly. A stage of about 3.0 feet
Is Indicated for Harrtsburg, Sun
day morning.
General Conditions
Pressure is low over the Lower
Missouri Valley and the South
west. There la a disturbance
apparently of moderate strength
off the South Atlantic conat,
which has caused showers over
the Florida peninsula and aa far
north as the North Carolina eoast
In the last twenty-four hours.
Temperature! Sa. m H (Wi 2 p. m., 79.
Sam Rises, 4iSO a. m.t aets, 7i2<l
p. m.
Moont Full moon, July 26, 7:11
a. m.
River Stage) 4.1 feet above low
water mark.
Yesterday's Weather
Highest temperature, 77.
Lowest temperature, #l.
Mean temperature, 60.
ftormal temperature, 75.
ful that the structure woifld collapse,
ordered it cleared.
Mercantile concerns hurried motor
trucks to the scene laden with blankets
to warm the living or cover the dead.
Pulinotors'by the scores were sent to
the docks.
Physicians, police, firemen, govern
ment life savers and nurses were sum
moned.
The steamer, when relieved of Its
passengers, floated on its side Into
midstream ami tugs, motorboats and
other river craft swarmed about it.
Firemen climbed on the hull, forced
openings in the steel hull and through
these searched tlie cabins for possible
victims.
Robert 11. MeCreary, chief of the
Marine Bureau of the Customs Office
in the Federal building, was present
at the dock from 6:15 o'clock this
morning with two of his steamboat In
spectors. He declared that the exact
number of persons on the boat was
2..>00: that the boat was not over
loaded: and that "the passengers could
not have l)cen more accurately counted
if they had known there would be an
accident."
When the boat started to tip the
officers shouted warnings, but it was
too late. The heavily loaded steamer
continued to roll until the hawsers
which held it to the dock snapped.
A moment later, amid the screams of
passengers, the steamer turned over
on its side and floated out into the
middle of the river. Apparently scores
of women and children In the cabin
were drowned without being given a
chance to escape. Hundreds of other
passengers were able to climb on the
side of the boat which was above
water and were later taken off by
rescuers.
Life preservers were cast into the
river from the steamer Theodore
Roosevelt, which was docked across
the river, and scores of the Eastland's
passengers clung to them until picked
up by boats.
City fire boats, police launches and
life boats from nearby steamers in the
river rushed to the rescue. A hole
was cut through the side of th« lower
deck by life savers and the bodies of
six victims, five of whom were women,
were soon taken out.
Eye-Witness Tells Story
L. D. Gadory, employed on the
steamer, was the first eye-witness to
tell a detailed story of the accident:
"It was about 7.40 o'clock this
morning and the boat was lying at the
[Continued on Page 7.]
State Musl ProveT Why
Becker Should Not Be
Granted Another Trial
By Associated Press
New York, July 24.—Charles Beck
ers hope of escaping execution for
the murder of Herman Rosenthal was
based to-day upon his application for
5r "® w trlal - Supreme Court Justice
Phllbin ha.d granted an order requir
ing the State to show why the appeal
should not be granted. The order is
returnable before Justice Ford on
Monday when argument will be heard
and witnesses may testify.
MINING ENGINEERS ACT
By Associated Press
New York, July 24.—The American
Institute of Mining Engineers has
been the first of sight engineering so
cieties to act upon the invitation of
Secretary Daniels to select two mem
bers of the new naval advisory com
mittee on invention of which T. .A.
Edison Is chairman-.
HARRISBURG, PA., SATURDAY EVENING, .JULY 24, 1915
I FOOLING THE ENEMY. BRITONS PAINT WAVES ON SHIP
K
"V ■ V»« vr< -. ■ •»: • - T • -«* *r • W 'a »J* -» '
This photograph of a British cruiser was taken 72 miles off the Sandy Hook lightrhip, New York, and
shows the latest "war wrinkle" adop ted by the British mariners. .Waves, nice splashy waves of green and white
are painted on the bow of the ship, and from a distance of several miles the ship looks as If she were plough
ing swiftly through the ocean, when as a matter of fact, She may be standing still. A hostile cruiser, sighting
her and thinking her under full speed, would naturally make allowances for her speed In pointing a gun at her
and overshoot the mark.
SAYS STATE GUARD
IS MARKING TIME
Inspector General Complains of
Irregular Attendance of
the Men
NO IMPROVEMENT SHOWN
New Checking System Which Con
ceals Relative Standing De
clared Unsatisfactory
When the National Guard was in
spected last Spring the marking was
done on a new system, and as a result
it is impossible to determine from the
reports of the inspecting officers the
relative grading of the various com
panies. All companies that reached
the passing mark of 75 were simply
credited with having passed. How
ever, where the units made an espe
cially good showing the word "plus"
was added. Both Harrtsburg com
panies "made that kind of an impres
sion on the inspectors.
The new system does not find favor
in the eyes of Colonel. Frank G.
Sweeney, inspector general, whose re
port was issued this morning from the
office of Adjutant General Stewart.
Upon this point Colonel Sweeney says;
"While the method of numerical rat
ing may not be perfect, it is the best
]Continued on Page 7.[
OPEN BIDS FOR NEW
CITY PARK DRIVEWAY
Central Construction and Supply
Co. Low Bidder at $12,560
For Pleasure Highway
Bids for the construction of the
proposed park driveway that will en
circle the city from th® present ter
minus of the Cameron parkway to the
entrance of Reservoir Park were
opened at noon to-day by City Com
missioner M. Harvey Taylor, superin
tendent of parks and public property.
The improvement is one of the most
important features of the city's park
development.
Following were the bids:
Central Construction and Supply '
Company, $12,560.
Stucker Brothers Construction
Company (two bids), $15,810 and
$17,810.
D. Ott & Son (southern section,
Cameron's to Philadelphia and
Reading road). $5,450.
W. H. Murphy & Son, northern
section, Philadelphia and Read
[Continncd on Page 7.]
PURSE SNATCHER GETS
THREE CENTS FROM WOMAN
A colored man snatched a hand
satchel from Mrs. Sarah Moffitt, 1114
Green street, this morning. All the
fellow got for his trouble was 3 cents
and two door keys.
Mrs. Moffitt was oh her way home
from a second trip to the Verbeke
street market. The colored man
grabbed her by the arm and tore the
purse from her hand.
NOTE NOT PUBIJISHED TO-DAY
Berlin, via London, July 24, 10:50 a.
m.—The American note was not pub
lished in this morning's Berlin papers,
but probably will appear in the aft
ernoon editions. Count Ernest Von*
Reventlow in an article In the Tages
Zeitung headed "Ungrounded Anxiety"
declare* that no matter what the note
contains the submarine campaign will
not be restricted. <
FREEDOM OF SEAS
DEMANDED BY I). S.
New Note Declares Americans Are
Not Willing to Compromise
on Rights
BERLIN'S ATTITUDE AWAITED
Repetition of Acts in Contraven
tion of Rights of U. .S. Citizens
Will Be Considered Unfriendly
i
Special to The Tclcgret'h
Washington, July 24.—1f Germany
is determined to force war with the
United States, continued invasion of
the rights of American citizens upon
the high seas will inevitably bring
that result.
This is the real meaning of the
President's note to .Germany, jnade
public in Washington, after it had
been delivered to the German govern
ment In Berlin, by Ambassador
Gerard. The German govern
ment has now been informed that a
repetition of acts in contravention of
the rights of American citizens "by
commanders of German naval vessels
will be regarded by the government of
the United States as deliberately un
friendly."
Germany has also been told that the
United States will continue to contend
[Continued on Page 3.]
CAVALRYMEN PREPARE
FOR WAR PRACTICE
s
Governor's Troop Leaves For Mt.
Gretna; 1,500 Men and
Horses Are Gathering
Mounted on some of the best horses
in the city, the Governor's Troop under
command of Captain George C. Jack
clattered 'over downtown streets early
this morning on its way to Mt. Gretna
where the annual encampment will be
held. Tfee camp openea at 2 o'clock
this afternoon and the local troop was
among the first to be there.
The Governor's Troop is quartered
with the First Regiment, Pennsylvania
Cavalry, four troops from Maryland,
one from Delaware and Troops L and
K, of the Fifth Regiment, United
States Regulars from Fort Meyer, Va.
In camp are nearly 1500 mounted men,
conceded to be the largest number of
cavalry gathered together since Civil
War days.
All next week the war game will be
played in all its valor and vim with
the national aim of preparedness in
view. The regulars will instruct the
mounted militiamen in tactics and
maneuvers. Sham battles will be
fought and imaginary ambushes cap
tured.
The Governor's Troop with the
other detachments will participate in
a big dress parade to-morrow. The
war game will start in eurnest Monday
morning and continue throughout the
week. Wednesday will be Governor's
Day for the troop from this city. Camp
will be broken next Saturday morning
and the troop is expected to return
In the afternoon.
THE GAME TO-DAY AT ISLAND PARK
1 2 3 4 ) 6 789 10 RHE
ProvidenceDiKIEHIHDEIBEM ■■■
HanrisburgQQDOBIQIKgBU ■■■
POLICE RECOVER 50
RIFLES AND BAYONETS
Farther Trouble at Standard Oil
Plant in Bayonne Expected
by Authorities
MEDIATORS' EFFORTS FAIL
Governor Fielder Still Hesitates to
Call Out Troops Despite
Appeals of Sheriff
By Associated Prcsb
New York, July 24.—The discovery
and seizure by the police of fifty
rifles and bayonets stored in a hall
used by the strikers of the Standard
Oil plant in Bayonne, N. J., caused
fears to-day that the men were plan
ning further serious disorders. Re
ports were circulated that the strik
ers had collected a fund of several
1 hundred dollars with which to pur
chase ammunition.
As a result of rumors that the men
were arming themselves, the Bayonne
police made a sudden raid upon the
hall early to-day and despite the pres
ence of a 1/irge number of strikers in
front of the building carried the
weapons off to police headquarters.
So unexpected was the move that the
strikers made no attempt to prevent It.
Soon afterward two men were ar
] Continued on Page 7.[
INDIGNANT CITIZENS
AFTER NOISE MAKERS
Committee Will Probably Be Or
ganized to Secure Arrests of
Motorists Who Use Cut-out
There Is a rising tide of protest
throughtout the city on account of the
disregard by motorcyclists and auto
mobile drivers of the regulation
against open cut-outs In the city. Un
less the cycle policemen are more
successful in stopping_ this nuisance it
Is quite likely that a committee of
citizens will take the matter in hand.
Those responsible for the Infernal
din of an open cut-out manifestly
fall to realize that they are involving
all motor users in trouble. Notwith
standing all that has been done by the
Motor Club of Harrisburg and the
sane and safe drivers of automobiles
generally these speed lunatics con
tinue their outrageous game of indif
ference to the rights of others. It is
not improbable that the decent users
of motorcycles will themselves in self
protection aid in the punishment of
those who make life miserable by
their noisy performances throughout
the oity.
Disturb the Sick
Late at night it Is a common oc
currence for Joy riders to open their
noise-making devices and disturb the
rest of tired worklngmen and sick peo
ple. "II is bound to be stopped, if a
voluntary police squad must be Or
ganized for the purpose," was the de
claration of an indignant citizen to
day. ,
12 PAGES
PRESIDENT WILSON
WITS REPORT ON
NATION'S DEFENSE
Asks Heads of War and Navy De
partments to Confer With
Him on Subject
1
EVERY PHASE CONSIDERED!
Delivery of Emphatic Note to
Germany Believed to Have
Caused Action
By Associated Press
Washington. I). C.j July 24. An
nouncement was made at the Whito
House to-day that President Wilson
on his return to Washington will con
fer with Secretaries Garrison and
Daniels 011 a program for national de
fense. The President lias written to
I the heads of the War and Navy l)e
--imrtments for reports on the subject,
pointing out the necessity for work
ing out plans for Increasing the efli
[Continued on Page 7]
BIG BARN DESTROYED
Special to The Telegraph
Highmount, Pa., July 24. Fire
last night destroyed the large bank
| Tmrn of William M. Pear three, near
I here, entailing a heavy loss.
TWO VESSELS TORPED'OfiD 4
Iyondon* July 24, 3.40 P. M.—The Russian ship Rubonia I
has 1 C
thirty was landed on the Orkney Islands. The trawler Star I
•
crew \ a» la tidjed £ I S
ITALIANS TAK A
Geneva, July 24, via Paris, 2P. M.—A dispatch to tht 1
Tribune from Milan says: "Mariy persons arriving at Mila'
state that after severe fighting the Italian troops have take; 1
Gorl -in "
COURT ORDERS INV .
Chicago, July 24. Federal Judge K. Lamli
«
vestif. niton of the Eastland disaster. The jury' will meet I
next -Thursday., Steamboat Inspe ,m Nicholas i,« J
investigating a report that wdter ballast was pumped from 1
the hold of the Ear.tlanl as die pasijsngers went abo-.a', J
that the boat would rise and that mprc passengers might |
be car iej.
•
FIRE ON BRIDGE " j
slight fire believed ave started from
.a was extinguished by the Washington Hose No. 4
i
on the Walnut Street Bridge between the city a" I
Park afternoon.
STRUCK BY MOTORC Y.CLE
I
Donald. Heagy, 1737 Market street, ymployed by tfye 1
i Unit" and Coal Compd! - v
State streets about noon by a motorcycle just as he stepped »
| from ice wagon. He received • .%•' the 'eft leg,
which was treated at the Harrisburg Hospital. ,
London, July 24, 5.04 p. m.—Official announcement was '
made here to-day that the Turkish forces at the Dardanelles I
have made a new attack On the. allies and have been j
repulsed. .
/ <
Albany, N. Y., July 24.—After a conference with Con- !
vict Joseph Murphy, of Sing Sing, Governor Whitman an 1
Bounced to-day that the story Murphy told of overhearing
Rose, Webber and Vallon planning to "frame up" Charles i
Becker, was to his mind untrue.
MARRIAGE LICENSES '
Albert W. Mnrk« nud Anna K. Stoner, city.
( hrUtlan Urunun and l.nlil Tonne, Sterlton.
• Stef I«meJ nud Ennta Vull, Kttriton. >
Clarence M. Klehter and Mabel A. Haverstlck. city. ' ,
Elmer E. Wlckline and Stella May Miller, city. '
y^aam>
* POSTSCRIPT
FINAL WORDOF U.S.
EXPRESSED IN NEW
MESSAGE TO BERLIN
• <
Government Awaits Future De
velopments, Although Reply
Js Not Necessary
OPPOSED TO COMPROMISE
! Note Invites Practical Co-operation
of Germans in Effort to Gain
Freedom of Seas
Fy .Associated Press
Washington, D. C., July 24.—With
the publication to-day of the note
warning Germany that any repetition
of acts by her submarine commanders
in violation of American rights would
be as "deliberately un
friendly," the United States Govern
[ Con tin ued on Page 9.]
RELATIONS DISCUSSED
By Associated Press
Rome, via Paris, July 24, 12:50 a.
m.—The cabinet meeting yesterday
was devoted to a discussion of the
relations between Italy and Turkey, ac
cording to the Giornale D'ltalla. Vhe
Ministers will hold other sessions this
morning and this evening.