New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-30
REINSPECT STEAMBOATS,.
THE PRESIDENTS ORDER.
Immediate ActiOn to Secure Safety
of Passengers Directed.
[FRoM TIE rR1grNE suREAr.I


Washinston June 29.-The President has
dered the immediate reinspection of all passen-
ser carrying steamboats, in New-York Harbor
Secretary Cortelyou tonight sent the following
telegram to carry this order into effect:
Mr. George Uhler, Supervising Inspector General of
the Steamboat Inspection Service. New-York,
Ny:
You hereby directed to begin at once the REIN
speeion that been ordered the passenger
ing steamboats, In New-York Harbor Detail the very
best in your service this work, order that
those who mads the inspection of particular boat
earlier in the shall make the reinspection
Telegraph the several supervising inspectors in
the service except Captain Birmingham, of san Fran
CISCO who is too fa= away ask if they spare
without detrment the interests committed to their
charge of their assist in this work.
Final judgment upon the character of the inspec-
tOrs heretofore made must properly await the report
of the federal investigation In but be-
Iieve this renspeetOn should made IN making the
renspecton the regulations and the various circulars
that have been issued by the department from time to
time for your service afford its officials definite in
structiOns under existing law.
Report at by telegraph the receipt of these in
structiOns. GEORGE B. CORTELYoU, Secretary.
REINsPECTION TO BE THOROUGH.
In view of the developments in the investiga-
ton of the Slocum disaster. the Department Of
Commerce and Labor believes that thorough
reinspection of the passenger carrying steam
boats in New-York HarDor should be made at
once. in order not only to allay the impression
regarding their condition, but to ascertain 10
what extent, if any. there has been dereliction
OF duty on the part of the government iospee
tors.
While it is not admitted when the searching
investigation in progress by the special
commission appointed by the President is pend
ing that inspectors have neglected their duty,
and by carelesSIless inattentlon or worse made
the terrible disaster on the Slocum possible, Z
is the intention of the department to ascertain
the facts, and if criminal negligence is estab
lished to mete out full punishment to the or
fender 1t would not be strange il in a depart
ment of this size incompetent persons some
times crept in, but Ii is not believed that there
are many of them, and it is emphatically
serted that the steamboat inspection service as
a whole is made UP of careful conscientious
and experienced inspectors. The laws under
which the service is operated are such as to
cause the Departments considerable embarrass
ment in properly regulating the inspection of
passenger carrying steamboats,. They are anti
quated and inflextble. and deprive the Secre-
tary of Commerce and Labor of the power to
approve new and superior safety devices which
have not been considered by the board of
supervising inspectors, which meets only once
year.
Every precaution will be taken to place this
reinspectfor above the semblance of suspicion.
Mr.. Uhler under the authority given him to-
night will doubtless take advantage of the per
mission granted TO summon inspectors from
other cities when the character of their pre-
vious work and their high personal and official
standing command respect. That they will not
be susceptible TO undue influence from local in
terests is assured and that the work of in
spectiOn will be performed in thoroughly i'm
partial and judicial manner cannot be doubted.
The best men in the service will be detailed for
this important work, and the order that those
who made previous inspection shall not be per
mitted to make the reinspection is calculated to
inspire popular confidence.
Thomas H. Barrett. Of the local inspection
bureau said last night that Inspector General
Uhler had left town. he thought for Washing
ton The local bureau has been expecting this
order since The Tribuna's announcement that
Secretary Cortelyou wanted reinspection. The
order will be carried out at once. Mr. Barrett