New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
UIREL ES.S, THE DEU1fNI
Delay Of st. LoHis Likely to Result
IN General EqupmfHf.
CONFERENCE ON DAMAGE SUITS TODAY

The feature of the long trip of the st. Louis
from Southampton to this port with her de-
teKiorated boilers that was most widely dis
cussed yesterday was the fact that she had no
wireless teIegraphy apparatus aboard. II IS
indicative of the quick manner in which Ameri-
cans accept an invention that is almost revo-
Iutionary i'm it's character and at once treat IT
as one of the everyday necessaries, that some
people we're disposed to criticise the American
Line for not having this vessel equipped with
wireless apparatus. Even while important tests
are being made as to the extent To which TINS
new means of communication can be made
available for mankind, people spoke of ITS an
sence on this steamship they might nave
spoken of her failing to have compass aoodru-
The opinion was generally expressed py pas
sengers and their friends that much anxiety diiu
uncertainty would have been saved TO rela'i'eS
who feared for several days that some calamity
had overtaken the boat, if she could nave Ieie-
graphed either TO shore or To vessels nearer
shore than herself, that her trouble, Whlle an
po,-ine yas not threatening. The trip Of the st.
Louis seems to have been of just the Sort III
which a wireless apparatus would be most valu-
able Because of the Iashfng sea or snow squalls
and of her wandering somewhat from her course
she sighted only two vessels on the long trip
and one of these soon after leaving Cherpourg-
Doubtless she passed a comparatively idi ise
number with which she could nave ldlheu ny
wireless telegraphy if she had Oeen properly
eouipped An official of one OF the W1reIeSs cVii-
Germs Yesterday declared his beleI tndI tlle ~
nerienCe of the St. Louis would haSteh tnS
equipment of all transatlantic steamers Win
these appliances .,o.,.;, line are inst
The officers of a transatlantic llhe are Just
as anxious long delay III lie iNdI "
ono of their vessels as are the trlends anu
relatives of the passengers on noaru' ne Sdiu
The loss of a big steamer is a heavy financial
tICvr IL = vessel in midOcean were threatened
bv much more serious accident thai 'hstt
which befeU the st. Louis. it is quite Withlh tne
nossibIe that she might he saved II she gave
,ror,nt warming OF her condition either 10
,a ssiur vessel or to shore, so that a re@cuihe
steamer mis,,lt be rushed TO her
Jouis e Bernei. the Baltimore lawyer. VINO
is i,,-astiqating as the causes of complaint
against the owners of the st Louis, VIII return
te Wew-York to-day. according to the Rev
Artbur Crane chairman of the grievance COM
n,ittee of the St IOuiss passengers II ne mas
thai the passengers. have any legal basis 10
baain action suits for damages Will he started
The ba sis OF complaint. it Is said. is that the
coynnany sold tickets to passengers. asserting
tbat tho boat would surely reach port i'm good
tirne when the officers knew that she was
,1nahIe 10 cover the distance i'm the usual num-
her of days. Mr.. Cr1re is staying at the Astor
House.
Yesterday There was little sign of life aboard
her No visitors were allowed on the ship
She leaves for Cramps yards this week TO be
entirely re5tted.
Clement A. Ciriscom. jr.; Mr.. Wright and
other officials of the American Line were out of
town yesterday