62D Congress, 3d Session
House of Representatives
Document No. 1084

Claim of Edward Julson

Letter from The Secretary of War, transmitting papers in claim of Edward Julson for damages to launch caused by collision with U.S. Towboats Ellen and Henry Boss near Natchway Dam on the Mississippi River on July 31, 1912, said claim having been adjudicated by the Department as authorized by law.

December 7, 1912 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed.

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War Department
Washington, December 3, 1912

Sir: Section 4 of the river and harbor act approved June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. L., 676), provides as follows:
Sec. 4. That whenever any vessel belonging to or employed by the United States engaged upon river and harbor work collides with and damages another vessel, pier, or other legal structure belonging to any person or corporation, the Chief of Engineers shall cause an immediate and thorough examination to be made, and, if in his judgment, the facts and circumstances of the collision are such as to make the whole or any part of the damage inflicted a proper charge against the United States, the Chief of Engineers, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, shall have authority to adjust and settle all claims for damages by such collision in cases where the claim for damage does not exceed five hundred dollars, and report the ame to Congress for consideration.

Under the provisions of this statute I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the claim of Edward Julson, for $19,30, as reimbursement of the cost of repairs to his launch, caused by collision with U.S. Towboats Ellen and Henry Boss near Natchway Dam on the Mississippi River on July 31, 1912. This claim has been "adjusted" by the Chief of Engineers in the amount above stated, which the owner of the damaged launch agrees to accept in full satisfaction, and has my approval.

Very respectfully,
H.L. Stimson, Secretary of War.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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War Department,
Office of the Chief of Engineers,
Washington, November 9, 1912

From: The Chief of Engineers
To: The Secretary of War
Subject: Claim for damages to launch

1. Referring to letter of this office of November 22, 1911(sic), there is transmitted herewith, in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of the river and harbor act approved June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. L., 676), the following additional claim against the United States. This claim has been adjusted by the Chief of Engineers in an amount of $19.30, which the owner of the damaged launch agrees to accept in full satisfaction. It is recommentded that the settlement be approved by the Secretary of War and reported to Congress for consideratin.
2. Edward Julson, owner of the launch, for $19.30, as reimbursement of the cost of repairs to the said launch, caused by collision with the United States towboats Ellen and Henry Boss near the Natchway Dam on the Mississippi River on July 31, 1912.

H. Taylor,
Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers
Acting Chief of Engineers.

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Office Chief of Engineers,
October 9, 1912

To Major Keller:
This claim is returned for correction. The total on the several items in $19.30 instead of $19.20, and the date of collision is stated in the letter as July 21 and in the bill as July 31.
By command of the Chief of Engineers:

W.B. Ladue,
Major, Corps of engineers.

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United States Engineers Office,
Rock Island, Ill., October 31, 1912.

To the Chief of Engineers:
Letter and bills corrected as directed.

C. Keller,
Major, Corps of Engineers.

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United States Engineer Office
Rock Island, Ill., September 30, 1912

From: Maj. C. Keller, Corps of Engineers
To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army
Subject: Request for authority to pay for repairs to damaged launch.

1. On the 31st of July, 1912, the United States towboats Ellen and Henry Bosse, pushing up stream a large Government dredging plant, collided with a launch belonging to Mr. Edward Julson, of Lansing, Iowa, causing some damage.
2. An immediate and thorough examination was made by this office and it was found that the damage was due to the Government tow swinging in to shore where the launch lay presumably safe.
3. The owner was advised to have the damage repaired at his own expense as economically as possible, and to submit, in duplicate, an itemized bill covering such repairs.
4. I now have the honor to state that the repairs have been economically made and to present herewith, in duplicate, an itemized bill for said repairs properly authenticated and certified, and showing the owner's agreement to accept the amount, $19.30, in full settlement of his claim against the United States. These bills show on the reverse side my certificate as to the propriety of the claim.

C. Keller
Major, Corps of Engineers

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Itemized Bill
Lansing, Iowa, August 30, 1912

United States of America to Edward Julson, Lansing, Iowa, debtor
For damages to launch caused by U.S.S. Ellen and Henry Boss near the Nachtwey Dam on the Mississippi River on July 31, A.D. 1912

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State of Iowa, Allamakee County, ss:
I, Edward Julson, being first duly sworn, depose and say that the above bill of particulars is true and correct; that said bill has been paid by me and that I agree to accept the amount of same, $19.30, in full settlement of my claim against the United States of America.

Edward Julson

Subscribed and sworn to before me at Lansing, Iowa, August 30, A.D., 1912

J.W. Dempsey,
Notary Public in and for Allamakee County, Iowa

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~ source: United States Congressional Serial Set, Private Relief Action, Document #1084, Serial Vol. #137, Congressional session 62-3, session volume 137, document date Dec 3, 1912
~ transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall

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