New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-17

thing possible to be done by HIS department in
fixing the blame for the disaster would be done
He called attention TO several sections Of the
general rules and regulations prescribed by the
Board Of Supervising Inspectors OF Steam Yes
4, sells. as amended and approved By the Secretary
OF the Treasury He said that he would inquire
3 particularly into the Observance or non-observ-
a' ance on the slocum Of the following rules:
- An life RATS and floats shall have an actual
D buoyancy of 100 pounds on lakes, bays. souncs
- and rivers for each person allowed, and such lie
> RATS and floats must be suitably equipped with
llfelines and oars. All rubber and canvas raIlS
e shall be kept inflated all times.
Nearly al the laws relating to such acci-
dents and disasters are old, and in nearly every
case provide for a fine that is now ridculously
small IN contrast with the value OF present Gay
vessels
the duty Of the board OF inspectors alone. II
has been the custom OF the board TO ask the
Collector for detail OF men, beginning on July
20, TO assist the regular inspectors on HuIIua.s
R-and holidays through the summer, in counting
the number Of passengers carried by EXCURSION
80 1t is because Of this division of authority by
the two departments that Collector Strai4ahah
- has asked for the conference to-day 10 devise
ways insure the rigid enforcement or the
rules relating TO overcrOWding of steam vessels
- "All life RATS made in whole or part or EIahu-
shall be excluded from use on all steam NeSsels'
~ provided, however that il does not apply 10
- When wooden life floats required on
- steam vessels in compliance with law they shaiI
be least Of the following dimensions or olh-f
proper dimensions of equal cuDlcal capdclty,
s.ziz feet in length Il inches IN breadth, and
inches Ia thickness. These floats shall be MADE
Of white nine wood. or any other wood not eX-
-~-ceeding white pine in weight per cubic foot
Every life preserVer Adjustable 10 the HoQE
rerSon shall he made Of good sound coTh blockS
or other suitable material, with belts and shoul-
der straps properly attached, ana shan be con
Instructed a place the cork underneath the
Lzshouders and around the body Of the person
wearing il, the shoulder straps 10 be eeWed on
at least eight inches apart on the back Of the
= -preserVer, and be seWed together at the angle
e where they cross the body; and they must also
strap TO the other. sewed fast at one end ana
with a buttonhole in the other, with button on
the shoulder strap 10 which the cross
y piece may be buttoned; all belt life pre-
inches IN length, measured from end 10 end
around the body And II shall be the duty
OF inspectors 10 see by actual examination that
each such life preserver contains At least SIX
pounds of good cork, which shall have buoy
ancy Of At least four pounds tO-eaCh pound Of
cork. INSPECTORS are further required 70 direct
that such life preservers be distributed through
out the cabins. staterO0ns, beTths and other
places convenient for passengers on such
a. steamer; and there shall be a printed notice
posted in every cabin and staterOOm, and in
conspicuous places upon the deck informing
passengers of the location Of life Dreservers and
other life saving appliances, and the mode of
applying and adjusting the same Cork cush-
ions. when constructed OF good, sound cork
blocks, other suitable material with belts
and shoulder straps properly attached, said
4-aeUshiOns not 10 contain less than six pounds Of
cork when passed by local inspectors, may be
used In lieu Of life preservers on small pleas
ure boats