New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-06
SECURITY on THE W4TFP

II new argument for the reinspection of
steamboats, had been needed It would have
Deeh supplied by the loss of the Norge for the
dispatches report that the passengers aboard
that vessel found when the emergency arrived
that appliances on which they had right TO
rely were rot in serviceable condition Under
any circumstances their fate would have been
painfully suggestive Of the needless pprlls 10
which careless performance Of duty subjects
lhoSe who trust their lives on the water but in
tact It gains special significance from the
statement that the last official inspection OF
the Norge was made 10y the man who last OK
amined the life saving apparatus of the Cen
eral Slocum and certified 10 its efficiency
When the real trial which meant life or death
10 the people on the excursion boat suddenly
came II appeared that large proportion Of the
life preseryers were worthless and precisely
the same discovery was made on the ocean
steamship. In what further respects the COM
parison would have held good II the Norge
mad been swept by flames instead Of shattered
on a reef II is impossible 10 say, but It does
not seem rash 10 assume that a crisis of an
other Sort would have developed other fatal
defects.
The order from Washington for q reinspectlon
of vessels at this port was issued wisely and
with thorough determination that il should
be effectually carried out. 1t was not meant 10
allay anxiety by merely creating an impress
sion OF official zeal. That IS not the present
administrations way. The scrutiny which is
about TO begin is intended to result in the as
certainment Of all the facts which need TO be
known and 10 make such new certificates as
may be granted a guarantee Of reasonable Sc
curity so far the conditions to which they
relate are concerned. The opposition 70 rein
spection was not creditable 10 those who ex-
pressed ii, and in some cases the objections
raised were too weak To stand for a moment
Particularly tnept. we pointed out at the
time, was the assertion that another examlna-
ton would not serve any useful purpose mas
much as no inspector who had certified that a
vessel was properly constructed and equipped
would stultfy himself by making a second re-
port contradict the first. Secretary COrtelyou
promptly showed how foolish the implied pre-
sumption was. and the department, in conform
ity with his announcement has sent inspectors
from distant ports TO perform the task anew
1t is hardly possible 10 doubt that these men
will DO their work honestly and thoroughly.
They must feel strong sense Of responsibility
and be resolved TO take no chances realizing
that they would be without excuse in the eyes
OF the government and the public if another
disaster should give the lie TO their representa-
lions. Indeed, it is probable that another disas-
ter would not be needed in every instance to re-
eraI Slocum's fatal deficiencies might have been
discovered in advance by any intelligent pas
senger whose anxiety had been excited When
the reinspcction has been finished the public
may expect TO learn what vessels conform TO
the required standard. Whether or not add
tiOnal safeguards Indispensable is another
question The dispatches describing the wreck
OF the Norge relate that one Of the lifeboats
dropped end first into the sea, owing TO the
failure of the davit tackle, which is not an I'M
common mishap In this the tragical CON
sequences recall the circumstance that several
years ago prize was offered IN France, we be-
lieye, for the best improvement on the familiar
type OF apparatus for lowering boats. We do
not remember that the prize was awarded, but
the dcsirability OF device which would serve
the purpose more quickly and certainly is
obvious.
That possible advantage may not be easily
attainable but II cannot be doubted that at
some time in the future means OF security at
sea which existing law does not enjoin will be
supplied, and for some of them 1t does not seem
necessary 10 wait much longer.