New-York tribune., 1903-07-24
CORTELY0IT TO RESCUE.
Passengers on Excursion Steamers to
Hare Better Protection.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE BuREAU.I

Washington July 23.-Secretary Cortelyou
has come to the protection of the summer ex-
cursionist Acting on information furnished TO
him from many sources that steamers carrying
crowds of seekers after the cool breezes of the
rivers lakes and ocean sides overcrowded
to the danger point he has issued a special
edict to the Steamboat Inspection Service for
rigid enforcement of the regulations.
Especially is this order to be observed at the
forthcoming international yacht races off New
York. When Secretary Cortelyou called the
danger of overcrowding excursion steamers to
the attention of Supervising Inspector General
Uhler of the Steamboat Inspection Service
yesterday, the latter official indicated his readi
ness to cooperate to the full extent of the
vice. He has issued a circular to inspectors and
customs officers instructing them to double their
vigilance in this direction, and the passengers of
excursion boats will be counted and compared
with the authorized capacity of the boat. Where
violations found immediate steps will be
taken against the owners of the vessel in ques-
tion.
The custom Of issuing special permits for the
carrying of additional passengers on particular
occasions will be more thoroughly examined, and
such permits will not be issued unless the in
spector is thoroughly satisfied that the require
ments of additional lifeboats and lifebelts have
been fully complied with. In connection with
the Secretary's personal conference with Mr..
Uhler, the latter to-day submitted the following
memorandum showing what has now been done
for the protection of the summer excursionist:
In accordance with your verbal instructions of
the information in reference to the surveillance
exercised by this service and also ny the customs
service regarding the carrying, OF passengers on
excursion and other steamers during the summer
probability OF a possibility of overcrowding.
The department circular on this point was mailed
IN al aft hV a
part of June. and have every reason I" believe
complied with in every particular and that es7
pecial attention is being given this important mat
Extraordinary and special occasions such the
yscnT races Tegas[s 2e
bodies Of people. will be anticipated in the future,
Gaming g' the attention of nspectops and others at
the points referred TO TO the necessity Of eAercis
vent the overcrowdng of steamers Nothing that
ead ea6 Gf done is t6 To a pde w That venture
the assurance that the travelling public will be
afford, and that the result will be satisfactory
to all.
It is we'll known that the officers and managers
OF excursion steamers not extremely careful
about overcrowding their vessels. This is especially
true OF the managers of vessels chartered for the
Americas Cup races, on which a relatively low
price is charged. These boats are, matter Of
course the most undesirable and least adapt
ed to sea service. They usually of light con-
struction, and with few accommodations for the
comfort of their passengers The rate being low.
large numbers of persons flock TO them, and they
are overcrowded. The temptation tC carry more
than the vessel will accommodate comfortably Is
too great for the manager of the excursion to re-
sist as usually the manager has Chal tered. the
boat on speculation, with the hope of finding her
a gold mine It is also we'll known that some
of the sidewhee steamers which attended the races
two years ago people sat on the hog frames be-
cause they could not find seats elsewhere. There
photographs in existence showing vessels so
overladen leaving their piers.