New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-21
NOT FOR REINSPECTION.
Ozcners of Steamers Say Inspectors
WOuId Make Same Reports.

There is 10 ne no reinspection 90 excursion boats
in this harbor unless Is ordered from Wash
ington. Yesterday there rumors that such a
would he ordered. Inspector Rode has
planned that there be no reinspection the
Initiative Of the local board All such inspections
no said would only be made at the request Of the
master or owner OF a vessel. Tribune reporter
yesterday visited n number Of Offices OF companies
owning and operating excursion boats and barges
and at all II said that there intention OF
asking for another inspection. The excursion bust
ness has been hard hit by the Slocun disaster
At the Offices visited It said that from three
eight parties had cancelled thei- contracts
Ambrose l. Harrison. secretary and general man
age= OF the Iron Steamboat Company, said
We will not ask for a reinspection OF our boats
by the federal authorities. When they in
thing aboard them was found to be in first class
We do not trust to the federal inspection alone
the state % the life saving appliances our
condition OF our life preservers ard we are con-
tinually purchasing new ones. We know fire
to flush down decks. The crews are drilled In what
to do in case Of fire or collision
ceIed their contracts for boats. and this morning
we received a note from the House and Real Estate
owners Association In The Bronx abandoning It's
excursion.
At the office Of the Starin Line It was said that
Captain beats. the general MANAGE has been In
specting ali the boats for several days II was
said that the line did not rely the governments
idea of what necessary. and that the boats had
nfesaving appliances than demanded by
law.
'Or what would be a second inspection Of the
boats OF any line?' asked official of the line
yesterday. We shall not ask for one They should
bear in mind that inspector who only n few
weeks ago swore that a vessel was fully qualified
TO carry passengers safely would not. a few weeks
later. reinspection. report that she was in
any way unsafe. when there had been no change
in her equipment. No man would thus convict
himself OF perjury. negligence and Incompetence
At tho Office OF the Myers Transportation Com
pany Mr.. Myers said:
Our season does not begin until tho end Of the
month so our steamboats, and barges arc Just being
inspected. Had they been Inspected earlier I do
not believe that we would haye asked the local
would surely have agreed with the first one In
board we keep careful eye on the nvesavng APP
reeG ana Is Is doubtful II the excursion business
boats for the next few weeks are cancelling their
e eibo and those contemplated and for
been given up or postponed.
The Peoples Line the boats Of which DIV ND md
down the Hudson. will not ask for a reinspection.
General Manager Campbell said that their boats
had passed tho government inspection. and that
the company carefully watched the condition of
their hfesavins appliances. He denied the story
printed In an evening newspaper that the Hudson
River captains igureheads. and in
capable Of handling their boats
The captains all licensed pilots. he said.
and took their tricks at the wheel with the regular
pilot
At all the other passenger steamboat lines whose
boats run In New-York waters 1t said that
reinspection would DO requested as It was not be-
heved even IL the boats were found lacking in
any respect. that different report would be made
from that made when the vessel got her certificate
II has been common talk along the waterfront
since the Slocum disaster that companies
have practised subterfuses TO persuade IN,
inspectors that their boats were up TO the mark.
The most common fraud was simply TO shift the
hose and life preservers from one vessel TO
other. or borrow them from some other company.
Since the companies themselves fix the date FOR
inspection this fraud has been easily worked.