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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 1924)
Dying Man Is Quizzed for Blast Cause i Chief Turret Captain, Band age-Swathed, Near Death, to Whisper Secret of Missis sippi Explosion to Board. By COPELAND C. BURG. International News Service Staff fnrre •pondent. Los Angeles, Cal., June 14.— Front the seared Ups of a dying man, the naval board of inquiry investigat ing the U. S. S. Mississippi gun turret blast, which gassed to death 48 blue jackets in n lethal tomb, today sought the official eye witness ver sion of the tragedy. The dying man Is Chief Turret Captain F. J. Hynes, commander of the gun crew of turret number two, where a big 14-inch gun vomited the deadly gases into the 13-inch steel bound chamber. After an inspection of the turret of 1hs Mississippi, where the 48 died, t lie navy officers Journeyed to the hospital ship Relief rocking In Los Angeles harbor in the shadow of "Man of War Row." Here the members of the navy hoard will bend their ears to hen# the whispered story of the tragedy from Hynes, swathed in ointment-soaked bandages. Ryncs, closer to the ex ploding gun than any of the doomed gun crew, is expected to reveal a de fect in the loading mechanism or turret construction. Believing the turret captain's story will shod light on the explosion to the end that the gunners may not have died In vain, the navy board moved swiftly to his bedside. San Pedro, Cal., June 14.—In 1907, when a turret aboard the bat tleship Georgia blew up and many men were killed and injured, F. J. Rhyne, now a chief turret captain, was one of the few survivors. Today, swathed in bandages and moaning through swollen lips, Kliyne lay on a cot aboard the hos pital ship Relief, one of the few survivors of the turret explosion which Thursday claimed the lives of 4.3 men nboard the V. 8. 8. Missis sippi. Washington, June 13.—Secretary Wilbur declared today that a "very careful examination” by a naval court of Inquiry will be required be fore any official explanation of the turret explosion on board the battle ship Mississippi can be made. He made It plain that the Investigation would be conducted In the open. The cause of the disaster may be difficult to determine, the secretary said, as many of those who would have been able to give the facts were, killed. A message of sympathy wag dis patched by Mr. Wilbur to the cap tains, officers and crews of the bat tleships Mississippi and New Mexico, tile latter Included because several of liar men were on the Mississippi at the time of the explosion. The mes ” sage said: "I extend to you my profund sym pathy in the loss of your shipmates through the accident on board the Mississippi." In addition, he sent personal mes sages to the families of the dead. San Pedro, Juno 14.—Further grim details of the turret blast that killed 48 men aboard the dreadnaught Mis sissippi last Thursday and injured a dozen others, five seriously, await ed telling as members of the naval board of inquiry investigating the dis aster gathered for their second ses sion on the stricken battleship today. A vivid picture of the fate that overlook these fighting men of tur ret No. 2. while the guns of their ship and two other vessels roared at a target on the San Clemente drill grounds, south of here, was contained in testimony offered during yester days session. To Testify. Lieut. Com. F. G. Tteinecke, gun nery officer of the Mississippi, said he was stationed In the fire control tower directing the fire of the big guns. He was unaware of any ex plosion until Just before the twelfth salvo was fired. Then, over the tele phone he heard a hoarse voice: "Fire in No. 2." By this time the twelfth salvo had rooked the great ship and flung its Ions of steel at the target. The order w "cease fire" was signalled. The gun kt ner.v officer hastened down from the conning tower. He found smoke pour ing out of the turret; he saw the chief gunner's mate flooding the mag azines with water; saw blue Jackets frantically trying to open trap doors through which the stricken gun crew might escape. Too I,ate. Finally the rescuers gained entrance to the turret, but too late to save life. "Those who entered were extremely daring," declared Commander P.»l necke. "I thought they were going in with too much abandon, for I had been cautioned by modlcal officers to tell them to go slow—that the tur ret must be full of poisonous gases.” Inside they found the bodies of the 48, clustered in groups, huddled dose to the various openings. The bodies of all those who had worked with telephone head sets clamped to their ears still wore them. "I Blame No One.” The testimony of Capt. W. D. Broth erton, commander of the Mississippi, nlso emphasized the stealth with which audden, flaming death swept from a gun breech Into the crowded turret and extinguished almost half a hun dred lives before the rest of the ship knew what had happened. "I blame no one," he said, in con clusion. "All my men did their duty, every one. I have only the highest praise to offer.” There was praise, too, for the any men stuck to their posts after the nerve shattering news of dlsastsr. Down In the engine and fire rooms the “black gang" stayed with their r jobs, realizing fully the danger of a further explosion that would mean death to them all. They stuck to their posts while the deadly fumes from the turrets wore sucked autvu Into their compartment by the foicod di aught ventilating system, several of them succumbing temporarily trom the gas. In Mourning. latter these men were relieved by i k. another crew, everv man of which knew what had happened in No. . turret and how the fire in the death j trap might at any moment reach and | explode the forward magazines a few ] feet away from where they must work. Yet they stuck. "It was navy stuff, that's a 1,” said Lieut. Carl E. Welncke, engineer of ficer of the Mississippi. "Man, the spirit on this ship is big." Tomorrow will be a day of mourn ing in several southern California cities, and next Tuesday, the day tentatively set aside $or the funeral services of the victims, will be mark- . ed by solemn and impressive services in which civilians will join with men and officers of the fleet in paying homage to the men who died. Battleship Isolated. The Mississippi herself is like a quarantined ship, isolated from her sisters in battleship row, approachable to none but those with official business aboard, and holding ail her own company from contact with shore or other craft. Her fatal turret today was jammed tight by the heat that accompanied the explosion, and all day her me chanics worked over the spot where their mates yesterday were swept to death by the blast of T. N. T. Japs Balk at Armament Cut Ishii for Japan at League Meet j Says Japan Already at Minimum. By Associated Press. Geneva, June 14.—The council of the League of Nations today Instruct ed the aecretary general to forward to all members the assembly resolu tion recommending that during the period necessary for the elaboration and adoption of a general scheme for reduction of armaments all the countries should not exceed the an nual military expenditures provided for In their budgets for the present fiscal year. Several nations, Including Japan, made reservations to the Instructions. Already Minimum. Viscount Ishil, representing Japan, said he would be happy to transmit the recommendation to his govern ment, but he felt called upon to point out that the present Japanese budget was abnormal. It had been framed so as to embody the great reductions necessitated by the earthquake. "AH our expenditures were cut down to a minimum,” he said, "and Japan cannot bind itself to any agree ment not to Increase Its present out lay.” The council requested member na tions to report what action they pro posed to take. Anti-Yank Riots Barred by Japan _ | Tokio Police Chief Declares Violators Will Be Punished Severely. — By Aneoclated Prnii. Tokio, June 14.—A statement square ly opposing anti-American demonstra tions as a means of expressing dis approval of the new United States immigration law barring- Japanese was issued today by Masahiro Ota, the new chief of the Tokio police bureau. Ota is a political appointee and the statement was his first since his installation under the new min isterial regime. It is regarded as an enunciation of the new cabinet's pol icy regarding antl-Ainerlcan agitation. “Incitement to violence and law breaking by means of anti-American demonstrations must be prevented,” Ota declared. "Infringements of law will be strictly punished. We shall do our utmost to prevent rash or violent actions due to public speeches or demonstrations. The exclusion que* tlon is too important to be treated raahly. Japanese must behave In a manner In keeping with the dignity of a great nation." BANKERS TO SPEAK TO DIRT FARMERS Madison, Wig., June 14.—In an ef fort to bring about a better under standing between farmers and bank ers and to outline agricultural pro grams for banks, a series of con ferences will be held In eight western and southwestern states next month, according to announcement by I). II. Otis, director of the agricultural committee of the American Bunkera' association. The following schedule was an nounced: July 8, Logan, Utah: July It, Mesllla Park, N. M.; July 12, Moscow, Idaho and Tucson, Ariz.; July 34, Berkeley, Cal.; July 15, Spokane, Wash., and Reno, Nsv.; July 1*. Puyallup, Wash., and July 18. Corvallis, Ore. Director Otia will attend the con ferences in New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada. KEARNEY YOUTH | DROWNS IN PLATTE i By Associated PrcM. Kearney, Neb.. June 14.—Herman Mueller, 22, of Kearney, waa drofc-ned In the Platte river south of here last night, despite several attempts by Frank Hosemoilcr, his friend, to save him. Mueller wa* caught In a strong eddy, thrown against a bridge pier and then carried down stream. Ills body was recovered about an hour later, having been washed up on a sandbar. Futile efforts to revive him were insde. FEDERATED CLUBS PLAN FOR 2 YEARS Los Angeles, Jims 14.—Mrs. John D. Sherman, newly elected president of the General Federation of Wo men's Clubs, arranged to confer with the federation board of directors on organisation plans and policies for the next two years here today. The reins of office were handed over to Mrs. Sherman by Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, retiring president, at the close of the federation’s bleu nisi convention last night. , M V Profit-Sharing Shareholders ytjK Mr. Fostei R| IDflP CC" B ACH I^flMPAM^ Fir!K$HvS$ Travel i? mam- I BI I IM Mil ^ ^k I ■ I M jM MI I MB | V ,n.t" *?y number of fi tained for your convenience on the IftliiVVW 1 l^WFll Wwl 11 JTTI 1 , « nancirrs with the State of Nebraska third floor.' NO FEES. «_ — positively assure them that their * »y B BVBfiPYt STORK* money will be refunded in full. I • Commencing the Second Week of Our Great Re-Fina: cing Sale With the refinancing sale in full swing, every department This is your opportunity, take advantage of it, departments We advise early shopping to give you a greater choice of will offer just as great, if not greater value* during the com- all have many wonderful values, some advertised in the other selection. On account of limited quantities we cannot guarantee ing week, than during the first week. papers, and many not advertised at <11. to fill mail orders, but will while merchandise lasts. Sale °fNewNovelty Shoes Smart low ahoea for the buaineaa girl and for vaca tion wear. Low heel* and smart cut o u t effect*. E ici ptional values up to $10.00 Cut-out, ankle strap, Hoi- Two-button cross strap, Dugan Hud lvwood sandal, with flexible *°n make in gray suede or beige suede, leather soles and rubber heels. Goodyear welt soles. In patent and white calf. Two-buckle fan tan sandal in cut Center strap, cut-out san- ou^ Pat®nt- .... <ja] Patent sandal, with gun metal throat Two-buckle fan tan sandal. Mala Floor » Silks at Sale Prices Rhapsode Crepe Checked Tub Silk Honan Pongee 39-inch sport material woven 36-inch tub silk in blue, or- 33-inch genuine Honan pon in new and attractive pat- chid, black, red and orange gee jn a]j the new sport terns. qj- checks on white back- shade?. on Yard. grounds. At, $1.29 Yard . V 1 | $2.95 to $3.50 Silks Radium Alpaca De Soie Included are popular makes, 36-inch radium, an excellent Silk alpaca finds favor for such as “Bloomkist” radium quality for dresses, blouses, suits and frocks. In cocoa, and “Marinette” crepes, also ^ radio blue, fallow, silver, canton and flat weaves. In ngnt ana dark (PI AQ autumn brown, pelican grav, all the leading col-dj 9 CQ shades. Yard .. I .**17 n.vy> white an/ q ors. Yard - •%}%* black. Yard .. V«7«*70 Second Floor V j i 1 20% Discount0n Our Entire Stock Including both imported and domestic Q f JJ IfltJCTtV CLT€ ware. \ Heavy Cut Glass Pieces at 20% Discount. Large bowls, water sets, nappies and many odd pieces. Colored Glass Pieces Flower bowls, fruit bowls, candy jars, covered bon bons, comports, candle sticks and vases in green, orange, blue and yellow. Light Cut Glass Pieces Berry bowls, ^ cream er», comports, candlesticks, sugars and plates. Fsurtb Flo»r Demonstration Models in Washing Machines Laun-Dry-Ette QOl/ (j/ Meadows’ Gray-Hound Washes and dry* / J t() J J /3 J0 Theoscillator plus The latest without a wringer and ww / »/ / v scientific development in oscilhu requires no extra tubs. DISCOUNT ing washers. 8-shect capacity. These machines are all in good shape, carry our usual guarantee, end nay be bought on our Household Club Plea. Fourth Floor _ Furniture Household Club Plan I lj 4-piece --- 8-piece Bedroom Suite Our Complete Line of Dining Room Suite $156.50 $140.00 | Suite of genuine walnut p.. , A beautiful Tudor period I finished with dustproof draw- LslSCOUnt dining room suite that will j ers, genuine mahogany . give your home an air of hos drawer bottoms and heavy Complete suites of hand- pitality and warmth, plate mirrors. woven fiber—Odd chairs and The Bed rockers of fiber and reed— The Buffet Full size, new poster sty'e TahIe* and desks of fiber 60-inch size in genuine wal bed with inlaid effect in the and reed — Breakfast room nut toP and front. Large, J panels. suites of hand-woven fiber. drawers and compart _ . _ ments. j The Semi-Vanity Table- floor and reading Triple mirrors, very neatly lamps Fiber and reed fern- The Table designed to harmonize with cries — Daybed and chaise Xew oblong type with gen the balance of the suite. lounges of hand-woven fiber. uine walnut top, 45x54-inch D !'ze» w‘tb 6-foot extension. The Low Boy 36-inch size low boy with The Chairs large, roomy drawers. Solid select hardwood, fin _i,hed t0 match table and b“f* 1 he Uresaer |9t fet, and upholstered in high Large size with heavy qual- f grade tapestry. ity mirror, inlaid effect on ■ “ the front. - -- Unfinished Breakfast Telephone Set Room Set $8.95 value. Mahogany ' 5-pieee set, consisting telephone stand and of table and 4 chairs, chair. Hand rubbed constructed of all well finish, QC leasoned ^ t A at. lardwoodV lHr. / O House fu rnish ings LSale Priced Wash Boards Garbage Pail Regular size Six-gallon galvanized garbage wash boards with pad with lock cover. OQ zinc rubbing sur- Kegular $1.16 value. .. . face. 65c A Q _ value... Boilers Shovel. u* hr.!v . Reconditioned “D” ban- OQ- galvanized die shovels, round point, boiler with s t ationary _ , wood han Garbage Can dies „ n ,1 _ , . . , tin rover. Galvanized garbage Regularly $2.25 £ 1 7Q can, 14xl6-ln. sizes. value, at .sPl./J/ $1.39 ‘aue '• IceCream Freezer -r| Water Coolers 2-quart galvanized 3-quart galvanized ice cream freezers water coolers that with re tinned •G ' fit in any ref rigor- freezer QC _ ator' 39c i'an*. , Trash Burners 1 ubi “Cyclone" basket, the best trash Common gal- burner built. Of heavy crimped v a n i z e d tubs, wire, electrically welded, with good quality, green enamel finish, QC with drop han Ht .$>£t,Z7D dies. No. 1 size, 50c» _ „ No. 2 size, 690 Toilet No. 3 size, 79c Paper , .. White ere pc Hampers tissue, large Oblong splint hnmpers with lira. 10c rolls, 10 borders. $1.00 £*7*. rolls >IO_ values . O/C for,..***7C Bathroom Fixtures While enamel fixtures -toilet. paper Kl.y j j holder, wall soap dishes, tub soap dishes, _/ tooth brush and tumbler holders, A €\ — % towel bars . 49C ^ - ~.y7 Fourth Moot Great Reductions on Rugs $62.50 Axminster Rugs Featuring the well-known brands of seamless Axminster rugs Sanfords, Beauvais and Roxbury standard. Nothing finer or heavier made. In a wonderful line of patterns and colorings. Size 9x12 feet. Ka.,*P ■ Je •vFv $47.50 Seamless Velvet Rugs Most attractive are these velvet rugs woven in one piece. Rich in appearance. Long wearing quality. .$33.00 Sisth Floor Linen Damask Table Cloths 25% to 50% Discount 150 odd and mussed cloths of Irish, Scotch or German manufacture. Made of pure flax. 2x2 to 2x4-yard sixes. 75 Linen Damask Remnants £ Price 14, 2. 2 4 and 8-yard lengths of excellent quality, no imperfections. Slightly soiled. Second Fleor [ --—, New Arrivals in Quaker Craft Panels and Curtains Admittedly of the Finest Quality and Workmanship ViiYiflatt Baiaflfifti I_1 j Shantung Panels Casement Panels Doric Lace Panels Fringed Panels A Breath of the Orteat Tha Shadow-Lace .Supir.ee Modified Tuiras y ^ A c\ Seek$6.75 *«*$5.50 £^$3.75 °c 5, 0 I 4o-in.x2'4 -yard air.es in ‘ l ovely, gauxy designs fin Made of a rugged somi-Tus- Quaker panels which offer three beautiful patterns. Reg- (shed with I inch silk fringes can net with a dainty motif at an exceptional value. * ulnr $9.00 values. and scalloped bases. Regular the hnse. Silk fringed. $4 SO $H.OO value. value. .^Kntul Floor