New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-15
THE NEED OF A MARINE BOARD.
HOW DEFECTS IN LIFE-SAvING METHODS
COULD BE REMEDIED.
PROVISIONS OF SENATOR FRYE's BILL NOW
PENDING-BENE FTTS LIKELY TO
EE. DERIVED FROM IT.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TLiGCsE-I

(BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TIiGCSEI
Washington, April 14.-Oihcals Of the LiieoaVi"s
service deeply interested in the experiments TO-
Gently made In the vicinity OF New-York by the In
vertor of double kite. intended to be used In
establishing communication between ship in distress
and the Shore so as to enable fesavng crews to ng
up their appliances. Under the law as 1t now stands
the officials powerless to do more than to express
their interest and to labor for additional legislation
under which they can act directly
"The scheme is perfectly feasible ONE said Super
ntendent Kimbal Of the Life Saving Service. to
Tribune correspondent, bit we can do nothing
towards having it adopted. forcing vessel owners
to provide themselves with the new apparatus Nearly
every wreck-I might say every one-whlch occurs on
the coast within range Of the lfcsavins service occurs
with the wind driving on shore. To make line fast
to vessel under such conditions, 1t must, OF course
be fired in the teeth Of the wind which greatly retaros
It's flight and dmlnshes the distance to which IT might
be thrown. Now il the line could come from the YES
sell it would have the force OF the wind TO aid In carry
Ing 1t, and many wrecks which we cannot reach WIN
appliances from the Shore would thereby be brougo
Into connection with the life saving crews Bcsldcs' III
shooting a line from the shore, the crews nave COM
palativcly a small mark to strike, and often miss II
while from the ship the whole beach line Is marh'
and the line be landed anywhere.
strangely enough continued Mr. Kimbal, the
present law does not require sailing vessels to carry
any fe-savng appliances whatever, being confined In
It's oncrations to steamb pats which under the super
vision OF the Bureau Of the supervising IDspectorien'
er:il OF Steamboats,. This discrimination Is all the
more remarkable in view Of TIC fact that whereas
steamboats, carry probably. ten times many pasSen-
GERS rs sailing vessels the number OF lives lost from
smiling vessels Is twice as great from steamboats,.
This subject was discussed at the recent International
Maritime Conference, and Of the reports from the
committees Of that conference recommended the estab
lshment by each government Of marine board, winch
should consider AID recommend necessary legislation
and tss remedy this and other defects in existing
laws
In pursuance OF that recommendation, senator
FRYE introduced In the List Congress bill to establish
such a board In the Treasury Department. The Dill
pas.ed the senate but failed OF consideration in the
House. 1t has been reintrOduced in this Congress-
and In view OF the fact that the operations OF the
Board would not cost cent, except possibly Tor sta
tloncry tho bill ought to become law without oppo
ston. The Board as proposed, Is to consist OF an
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. exofco chair
man, the following ex-ofhco members the chair
man Of The Lighthouse Board. the supervising in
gcon general OF the Marine Hospital service.
the general superintendent OF the Life-sav-
Ing service the Commissioner Of Navigation, the
OF the Coast and GeOdetc Survey tho
chief ydrogra piers II the Navy and the Chief OF he
Division OF Of the Revenue Marine. The board Is 10
meet quarterly for consultation and recomnehdatoh 10
the Secretary Of the Treasury for presentation by him
To Congress OF any changes In existing laws, when
NAV seem necessary for the protection OF the interests
Government and the benefit and improvement OF
the merchant marine. for the relief OF the merchant
marine from any harsh or Injurious laws operating TO
It's derlment. Through the opersion OF such board
legislation IS likely TO be obtained which VIII remedy
tho defect referred TO with regard TO fesavng appn-
anccs, and many Others equally unfortunate