New-York tribune., 1905-03-06
STEAMBOAT INSPECTION REFORMS.

The passage OF the new steamboat inspection
laws, summarized briefly in these columns the
other day, insures a thorough overhauling or
the federal steamboat inspection service. The
defects of that service were tragically empha-
sized last June when thousand lives were
sacrificed in the General Slocum disaster. That
disaster was the logical outcome of inspec
ton system which had rotted into ineticiency
Regulations on the statute books were lived up
to only In form and vessel owners were al
lowed to pr ceed on the theory that SO long as
accidents were few and far between 1t was
perfectly safe. well as thrifty, to take
chances on fraudulent and defective safety ap-
pliances The investigation made by the Slo-
cum commission disclosed scandalous indif-
ference on the part OF vessel owners TO the
safety Of passengers, and an equally scanda-
lous laxity in official inspections. The six laws
Just passed strike vigorously at the abuses
disclosed in the commissions report and will,
it Is hoped, eliminate the conditions directly re-
spOnsibe for the Slocum horror.
After the first shock OF last June's discoveries
a general demand was made for a strengthen
ing Of the steamboat inspection rules. But 1t
was found that under existing law neither the
Supervising Inspector General the Secre-
tary Of Commerce and Labor had the power to
alter the rules in any particular. The regula-
tions could be modified only at the annual
and the 1904 meeting had already been held.
Moreover, no provision had been made for call
inc special meeting. To remedy this glaring
defect in administration of the meas
ures authorizes the Secretary Of Commerce and
Labor to call together at any time an executive
committee of the board, TO consist Of the Sec
retary himself. the Supervising Inspector Cen
eral and two supervising inspectors This COM
mittee is to have full power to amend the rules
temporarily, the amendments to be approved
later at the annual board meeting. The lati-
tude thus allowed to the responsible heads of
the service will give a much needed fiexibility
to routine work. and will permit prompt action
In any emergency.
A second bill imposes penaltes-S2, 900 fine
and five years impris sonment-for manufac ctur-
ing and selling loaded" life preservers and
other defective life saving appliances This is
an entirely new provision, for hitherto 1t had
not seemed possible that avarice could go the
length of making and selling bogus life pre-
servers. But thro ugh the Slocum horror the
necessity for such legislation has been made
only too clear-a CHASTITY comment Oh our prog
ress in civilization and morals. Heavier pen
aties are also provided in third bill for fraud,
negligence, misconduct or violation Of law. re-
sulting in llss Of life. on the part OF owners
and ChaTterers of vessels, or OF the executive
officers of corporations operating equlpping or
navigating them. The other three measures
amend the inspection laws and bring the in
specting force in generally closer touch with
authorities in Washington. Provision ought,
perhaps, to be made for extending the ability
Of a vessel owner for civil damage beyond the
value of the wrecked ship. But In increasing
the criminal liability of all concerned In operat-
Ing unsafe steamboats, and In extending the
scope and raising the efficiency of the inspec-
ton service Congress has accomplished far
reaching reform. The new laws will surround
travel on our rivers and in our harbors with