New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-07
SAFER STEAMBOATS,.
Ouners Throughout the Country
Observing Ne1C Rules.
rpoNr Tun TRIBUNE BUREAU

washington ApriI 6-George 'Uhler super
visine insnector general of the Steamboat In
spectIon Service. returned to-day from a visit
to Pittsburg. Cleveland and Detroit. where he
went to confer with his local inspectors regard
ing the enforcement of the rules made by the
bureau last month.
II find that. with very few exceptions" said
Mr.. Uhler, 1.-THE vessel owners throughout the
country are anxious to comply with all the pro-
visions of the law and are making their boats
as safe as human ingenuity and care can ac-
complish Out in the West, as in the East. the
steamboat men are looking forward with great
deal Of hope for a good summer season The
confidence OF the public which was so seriously
shaken by the Slocum disaster, has now been re-
stored to a very large extent, and 1t is thought
by most of the experts that the excursion Dusi-
ness will return to its normal condition next
summer. Authorities seem to differ good deal
as to the exact extent Of the damage their pusl-
ness suffered on account Of the Slocum tragedy
Some place it as high as 75 per cent Of loss;
nearly all agree that the receipts Of the sea-
son following the disaster were cut down at
least so per cent. do not think that / am ex-
aggerating the facts when say that the steam
boats Of the country are now in better condi-
ton. so far as safety is concerned, than they
ever were before in our history.
THE labor and expense that have been in
volved in this rejuvenating process have peeh
simply incalculable. In the matter OF life pre-
servers alone the steamboat owners have spent
fortunes. I was talking to a manufacturer of
preservers the other day, who told me that ne
was so rushed with orders that he had turned
down one order for seventeen thousand that
very week. Contrary to general belief. cork Is
not the only good material that may enter into
the makeup Of a preserver The bureau experts
believe that the best thing yet discovered IS tue'
a reed that is grown in California very eX-
tensiveIy and in some of the tropical countries.
It is much lighter than cork, is wonderfully
strong and will last indefinitely with proper
care. In the South American countries where
it is grown the natives make boats and SANS CT
tule reeds, woven cleverly, and such boats are
absolutely unsuitable The appearance OF tule'
however, is not calculated to inspire confidence
as a number Of complaints that we received
would seem to prove. got letter the other
day from a woman in New-York, who said that
she wrote to inform that such and such a
steamer had life preservers made OF corn
stalks on board One man. who also wished 10
inform the bureau Of the criminal fraud thus
perpetrated the public. said that he knew
very well the preservers on certain steamer
were made of common reeds He added that
he had blown up the captain Of the ship Tor
having such preservers in his equipment, ana
had ended by telling him that he should De
ashamed to make life floats out or stun that
can be picked up anywhere along the river
bank Z"
rand called on Acting Secretary LOOMS to-
dav TO urge a reciprocal arrangement between
America and Great Britain respecting the equip
ment of oceangoing steam vessels with me-
saving devices British vessels entering Ameri-
can ports are subject to the American regula-
tions as to such equipment whereas IN the
mast there has been little trouble in meeting
the American requirements, the adoption OF new
regulations as a result of the Slocum disaster
has nIaced British craft at serious inconVen-
fence because these regulations are no longer
similar to the regulations imposed by the BRIT
ish government in home ports so the Ampd as
sadoT's nurpose Is to secure an agreement by
which the British government will recognize the
American regulations as sufficient for American
ships in British waters, while this government
extends the same privilege to British ships IN
American waters. The proposition has been re-
ferred to the Department of Commerce ana La
bor which promulgated the regulations.