New-York tribune., 1889-11-05
FEATURES OF THE COMMITTEE REPORTS
I THE CONFERENCE VOIING On AMENDMENTS Io I'D
! THE RULES OF THE ROAD.


Washington Nov. 4.-The reports of the three
special committees were laid before the Conference
this morning. The Committee Systems and De-
vices in their report say "We have considered
thirty different proposals on nightsgnalling
etc. at sea- but have not seen any plan equal TO the
Morse which Is already in in many navies, in
cludng those of the United Staes France and Great
Britain This system necessitates tho employment
OF trained signaman but is otherwise inexpensive
1t requires only one flashing lamp for night work.
and the steam whistle other soundsignal for fog
1t can also be used with or without a cookbook"
The Committee on Lights In their report say that
they have thought 10 advisable to single out any
special system for adoption, but content themselves
with reporting in general terms upon such as arc
typical of their classes Bearing I'm mind that change
may lead TO confusion, the committee state that, al
though they have direct evidence of the insuciency
Of the present system of lights, they nevertheless are
Of opinion that the regulations actually in force are
insufficient TO make the presence of sang-vessel
known to fast steamer approaching her enough
TO give the latter ample time to keep out of tho way.
In regard to sidelights, it was announced that the
committee do not find themselves at present In
position to recommend any by the adoption Of
which the desired end could with certainty be OBJ
tanned.
The Committee on Sound Signals say the principal
difficulty in making of practical system of sound
signalling in foggy weather is in taking in the signal
correctly, not in making it. The committee are OF the
opinion that however simple adopted system of
coursendcating sound-sgnas may be, If vessels were
navigated in dependence them, when neither can
see the other there would be danger Of the officer
in charge reading the signal incorrectly; or, If read
correctly. of Interpreting 1t wrongly
As soon as the Conference was called TO order this
morning, Captain Lanneluc, delegate from France,
offered resolution to the effect that, "a soon as
the committees already appointed had deberated
tho ,Ifact ctfopc a
number of committees be appointed to take in hand
special topics and consider all questions bearing upon
them. The resolution, owing 10 its importance. was
laid over for forty eight hours Mr.. Goodrich offered
a resolution providing for committee of seven to
consider the subject Of uniform load-mark in General
Division 3. The resolution was adopted but the ap-
pointing of the committee postponed temporarily.
The consideration Of the various amendments TO
the Rules of the Road were then resumed. Amend
ment No 7 to Article of the rules, proposed by Dr.
seveklnC Of Germany, the one under cOnSid-
Grafton when the Conference had the rules last under
consideration. The Conference had amended the
article in part by changing the phrase sea- going
steamship" 10 "steam vessel, Several speeches
being made in opposition, DR.. sievekng formally
withdrew the amendment for the present. Amend
mcnt No. to Article g. also proposed by Dr. Sieve
king. was then taken up. long dis
cussion followed the reading of this amendment, and
Dr Sievekng amended 1t so as to provide as fol
I,s. % That certain candle power be adopted as a
tandard for the visibility Of the lights mentioned in
tbese ruleso The amendment amended
adopted.
section D. OF Article 3, with the amendment offered
nv the delegates from the Netherlands taken
mn Immediately after recess. The proposed amend
ment provides that the green and red sdeghts shall
he ftfed with inboard screens, projecting at least
tbree feet forward from the light, DIS to prevent
thess lights from being seen across the bow within
certain distance I'm front of the bow say one hundred
metres After being amended by striking out tho
u.orIs Projecting at least three feet forward from
the light" the amendment was lost
Before leaving Article g. Captain Saveson called
attention 10 the desiabillty Of having the rules
either statute or nautical miles. masmuch as there
Il a difference Of 500 feet between them The dele
gates from tho Netherlands and Great Britain stated
that their local regulations specify the mile to mean
nautical mile
Article 4-Lights for towing YES ses-was next
taken up. and Mr. Halls amendment to fix the lights
on a vessel being towed at a distance of six feet
apart instead Of three as now, was read The amend
An amendment, offered by Captain ShackfOrd OF
the United states, was TO the effect that towing
vessel shall carry small white light
abat the funnel Or aftermasthead, for
After being amended so as to make the rue per
mssiv instead of mandatory. and requiring that the
Hight shall be placed not to show forward the
amendment was adopted.
the following Committee on Lfc-Saving Devices. In
accordance with resolution proposed by Mr.. Kim
ball Belgium. Theobold Verbngghe; China. Captain
A. VI. Blsbee; Chill. RearAdmral Oscar Wei; France.
Vega de Seoane: The Netherlands. J. II. Van steyne
United States Sumner l. Kmball. Superintendent OF
the Life Saving Service.