New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-01
RENSPECTION.

The Presidents order. issued through the De
partment Of Commerce and Labor, calling
for a fresh inspection of the passenger steam
boats plying in New York waters. will excite
profound satisfaction. Although the investiga-
ton which the federal authorities Instituted I'M
mediately after the Slocum disaster has not yet
been finished the wisdom Of having new eX-
animation OF the equipment of these vessels IS
already apparent Whether the work done
earlier in the season thorough or not, wide
spread doubts the subject prevail. a gen
eraI sense of insecurity has been created which
ought to be dispelled as soon as possible If the
boats are allowed 10 continue to run for the
rest of the season. 1t will be observed that
three specific directions are given in this order
The best men in the service TO be detailed;
no inspector is to be permitted to exercise his
function on the boats which he examined be-
fore, and the work is to begin at once. General
Uhler certainly cannot fail to interpret his in
structfons as an indication that the administra-
ton means business"
1t is not improbable that a reinspection will
cause the owners of the steamboats, some incon-
venience, to say nothing of a considerable eX-
penditure for new material. The reluctance
shown by them n week or two ago, when the
idea was first suggested, placed them in an I'M
fortunate position Hesitation looked as If there
was something to conceal. Had the companies
been confident that everything was as it should
be on their boats, one would suppose that they
would not only welcome but even invite rein
spection They could hardly have been blind to
the advantage which they would derive from
receiving a clean bill Of health. If they can
obtain one now only after lively effort TO
procure fresh life preservers and fire hose. and
at the cost of some interruption of their service
they have only themselves to thank. Indeed
they will he lucky if deficiencies not dis
covered which will call for the imposition of
penalties. If any other boats We're half as
badly off two or three weeks ago MS the SlO-
cum, only the most energetic huStling save
their owners from trouble.
The need of something besides an immediate
reinspection was revealed when Mr.. Lundberg' s
incompetence was exposed 1t was obvious
that far reaching reform in the methods of a
government bureau was required, Abuses which
have dated back for many years, and which
originated at the time when steamboat inspec-
ton was conducted under the auspices Of the
Treasury Department, have continued since its
transfer TO the Department of Commerce and
Labor. An investigation started by Mr..
COrtelyou a fortnight ago which should show
how extensive these abuses are now, and thus
pave the way for their correction Possibly the
cooperation of Congress will be needed, as it is
for other Improvements which the Department
Of Commerce and Labor has sought for months
TO secure. bill providing for a revision Of the
laws relative to the construction and inspection
Of marine boilers, prepared by that department,
was laid before Congress last winter; but final
vote on it was hot taken, and the admnistra-
ton was not relieved of certain embarrassments
that hamper its action. To any appeals that are
made at the next session for cooperation in any
OF these reforms it is to be hoped that there will
be a reader response.