The Washington times., 1904-06-29
The SloCum Verdict.

The finding of the coroner's Jury on
the General Slocum disaster is a
sweeping arraignment of the directors
OF the Knickerbocker Steamboat
Company, which owned the vessel, of
the commodore of the company's
fleet, of the officers and crew in charge
of the steamboat, of the United
States inspector who passed the yes
sci, and of the Government RESPONSE
bic for the acts of the inspector.
All in all, it is one of the most re-
markable verdicts ever rendered by
such jury. It is notable for its COM
pleteness, its fearlessness, its accurate
summing up of the situation, its di-
rectness of statement, and its lack of
bombast and furioso. It is essentially
business-like finding. which leaves
the points at issue clearly defined
and presents genuine facts on which
the charges of manslaughter may be
pressed with the expectation of con-
victing all in any way connected with
the deaths of the 1,031 pleasure seek
ers burned or drowned in this fright
full tragedy.
The points made in the document
are as follows:
That the officers and directors Of the COM
pany were guilty of criminal negligence in the
failure 10 to the proper equipment o. the
General sloc,r1 in the matter Of fire fighting
and life-saving appliances.
That the .aatain be held criminally respons-
ihla for the accident
That the commodore Of the fleet be held
oriminally responsible for his failure properly
10 equip the General Slocum.
That the mate acted in a cowardlv manner
Thar tho misconduct OF the Government in
spector, in failing to report 10 his superiors
the true facts concerning the >vessers equip
ment, should be brought TO the notice Of the
intel states prosecuting officials and that tits
inspector he held for criminal negligence by
reason Of his incompetence, careless, and indif-
ferent inspection Of the General Slocums huh
and hfe-saving appliances on May 5, 1904.
After thus disposing of the per-
sons directly concerned, the jury
makes this extraordinary recon-
mendation, which by implication
places at least a share of the moral
responsibility for the aSssir right
where it belongs, on the GoverS1ent
officials, paid by all the people for the
express purpose of protecting all the
people from the greed of individuals
and the selishness of corporations.
The jury are also of the opinion that the sys-
TEN Of inspection which pcrvails in the harbors
Of New York is very inefficient, and does not
properly determine whether the life-sGving ap-
pardtus and Ere appliances on the vessels in
this harbor are in proper and suitable condi-
lion 70 prevent the loss Of life. and we recon-
mend 10 the Secretary Of Commerce and Labor
that he issue such instructions TO the superyis-
ing and local force Of inspectors &c will cause
them efficiently and honestly to ezamiHe tho
steamboats, plying in and about this harbor.
1t is TO be expected that the courts
OF justice of New York will now take
up the cases of these men and give
them a just hearing and a just YER
dict. The courts of New York, how
ever. cannot deal with the United
States Government.
The lax methods of steamboat in
spection were sensationally revealed
III the hearing before the coroner's
jury. The miserable excuse of ignor-
ance is no longer valid. What has
been done in New York harbor has
doubtless been done in other harbors.
Shall there be reform now, or must
there be another terrible sacrifice to
the god Of mammon before the red
tape is unwound, careless methods are
corrected, and Indifference to simple
duty becomes a thing of the past?
Must the people rise in righteous in
dignation and turn the rascals out,
or viii constituted authority show by
activity and ceaseless vigilance that
il really means business, and that
outside influences need no longer ap-
ply?