Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-25
INSPECTORS MEET
Safety of Passengers on Steam
VesselsG Considered.
TO BETTEiRs.THE SERVICE
A RESULT Or THE GENERAL So
ctfM DISASTER.
W 34B,t
Sessions of the officers in Charge of
the Different Districts to Be Held
for Several Weeks.
TO BETTERsTHE SERVICE

In pursuance of an order OF secretary
Metcaf of the Department OF Commerce
and Labor, issued by direction of the Presi-
dent, special session of the board of SUI
pervisfng inspectors of the steamboat In
spection service was called to order this
morning. The meetings of the body will
be held in the offices of George Uhler. su-
pervising inspector general, on 18th street,
and will probably cover period of several
weeks.
The composition of the board. all of
whom were present except Inspectors
Bingham of San Francisco and Harris of
New York. both of whom are expected to-
morrow, is as follows, Mr.. Uhler being in
the chair:
First district, John Birmingham, San
Francisco; second district, Ira B. Harris of
New York, vice Robert S. Rode, dismissed;
third district John w. CAST, Norfolk, Va;
fourth district, Ralph ]. Whitedge, St.
Louis. Mo-; fifth district, John D. Sloane,
Dubuque, Iowa. sixth district. Eugene L..
Dorsey, Louisville, Ky; seventh district.
Samuel r. Crumbaugh,s Cincinnati Ohio;
eighth district, Charles H. Westcott. De-
troit, Mich: ninth district. James Stone,
Cleveland. Ohio. and tenth district, John A.
Cotter, New Orleans, La.
A Result Of the Slocum Disaster.
Under the law the annual meetings of
the supervising inspectors must be held be-
ginning the third Wednesday in January
and at any other times upon order of the
Secretary. This session was called by Sec
rotary Metcalf in order that the inspectors
might have an opportunity to suggest re-
vision of the laws governing steamboat in
spection for his scrutiny before his an
nual report goes to Congress. The disaster
to the General Slocum and the subsequent
investigation by the special commission ap-
pointed by former Secretary Cortelyou was
the real and immediate motive actuatlng
Secretary Metcalf in calling this session.
Subsequent to his separation from the
service by the President. Inspector Robert
s. Rode made a statement in which he al
legged that Mr. Cortelyou while Secretary of
the Department OF Commerce had disap-
proved of many sof the recommendations
made by the inspectors at meeting about
year ago. He said in his statement that
had these recommendations been. approved
by the Secretary ann the reforms inaugur-
of life on the Slocufn would not have oc-
CURED. No reply has as yet been made by
the department to these charges, but it is
presumed that there will be something said
regarding>them in the Forthcoming report
little actual knowledge Of what the work of
the meeting now in session will include. it
is understood that the recommends tons re-
ferred to by Mr.. Rode are, likely to be re-
Improvements Of the Service.
That other drastic improvements in the
service will be recommended is undoubted
there being not a man on the board but re-
Allies the, inadequaGy, of the present laws
for the preservation and safety of human
lives while aboard thea average excursion
steamer. no aaee p fue'2
Improvements. in the general inspection
will be urged, and also In the character of
the life preseryers that shall be kept aboard
all excursion and other steamboats, plying
the inland waters, @of the United States
That there will be 'recon1me ndations for the
proper protection OF passengers by having
fire fighting service on every boat and that
the crews shall be kept in training for any
emergency are evident conclusions as to the
results of the deliberations of the board.
Whatever Is done by way Of suggested
improvement of this branch OF the work
of the Department of Commerce and Labor
will undoubtedly be indorsed by Secretary
Metcalf, his feelings on the subject having
been expressed since the accident to the
Slocum and his prompt action in calling
this special meeting of the board anticipat-
ing that action.
To Be in Session for Weeks.
1t is the purpose of the board thoroughly
steamboat inspection service in accordance
with the recommends tons of the Slocum
commission and their own ideas of the
needs of the service. 1t is expected that
the board will be in session five or six
weeks.
The final report of the board will be made
to Secretary Metcaf. 1t will contain drafts
of proposed changes in the regulations and
recommendations Of such new regulations as
may be agreed upon by the inspectors. The
board will sit in executive session, and no
report of it's proceedings will be made
public until Secretary Metcalf at the close
of the deliberations, makes his annual re-
port to Congress and includes that of the
board.
Secretary Metcalf was present at the first
meeting today and outlined to the inspect
Ors present the wishes of the President and
himself regarding their work.