New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-21
WHO WAS TO BLAMEf

When the circumstances Of last weeks dis
aster have been fully investigated, it will prob
ably appear that a number of persons were at
fault. For some things-the exact origin or the
fire, for instance-it may not be possible TO TX
the responsibility. For others it should be fea-
sibe to place the blame with a close approach
TO justice. The most important tribunal which
has the case under consideration is the public
at large If this body follows Secretary Cor
telyous advice, it will suspend Judgment until
the testimony is all In; but it is the verdict
which will then be rendered that the guilty
have the most cause 10 dread.
One of the mysteries which has beset this IN
happy affair is Captain Van Schack's motive
for not running the steamer ashore sooner.
Even If he were not familiar with the history
of the Seawanhaka, he must for n moment
have considered the wisdom OF Bleaching his
boat on the Sunken Meadows. BY continuing
northeastward 10 North Brother Island, he pro-
longed the crisis at least three four minutes,
and for doing so he has been severely criti-
cised II he really made a mistake, and II it
becomes apparent that it was a mistake OF
Judgment, the fault will be viewed leniently.
In such an emergency his decision must neces-
sarily have been a hasty one. 1t could not be
properly compared with criminal negligence.
Still, until Captain Van Schaick has been heard
in his own defence. It viii be best not to
sumo that he committed any error at all
The next important question relates 10 the
Slocum's equipments for suppressing a fire and
saving life. 1t begins to look as If these were
not what they should have been. For de-
iciencies OF that class ii will be natural TO
blame the owners. Mr.. Barnaby, president of
the company which ran the steamer endeavored
to e1culpate himself yesterday by pleading
ignorance and by explaining that such details
as the condition Of fire hose and the life pre-
servers were delegated TO subordinates. The
validity of the excuse VIII depend largely upon
the shortcomings TO which it is meant 10 APP
ply; and these are not yet in evidence either
before the coroner or the federal authorities.
Perhaps the public VIII accept II. and perhaps
not IL is hard TO understand why q corpora
ton which receives money for carrying people,
either on business or for pleasure should not
take all reasonable precautions TO insure the
safety Of its patrons Any lack OF discipline
on the part OF the Slocum's crew would also
seem TO be chargeable to the employing corpora
ton, or the officers OF the boat rather than 10
the men themselves.
Finally, there are indications that the inspec-
ton OF the steamer was not so thorough as II
should have been. Perhaps the most signih-
cant testimony to that effect is offered by Gen
eral Uhler, who is at the head of that branch
Of the service In the columns Of THE Wash
e'oA- "0t AC 0hAlS uuAI41o Ihsi11 Ut Iesisl III
the past, there has been a screw loose, and that
the evil has existed for years, He asserts that
when fines have been imposed for q violation
Of the law the offenders have brought political
influence to bear TO secure a reduction or remis-
sion Of the penalty. Under such q SYSTEM"
he adds, ''the law becomes worse than a dead
letter" Well, General Uhler is not thorough
~ disinterested witness, but, II what he says is
true, any laxity which may have been shown
IN the examination Of the Slocum is not with
out precedent 1t thus becomes matter of pro-
found regret that Congress did not cooperate
with Secretary CortelyOu last spring in his eff
forts to get good insight into the possible de-
hciencies Of the inspection service.