Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-02-02
n ashlu9ton STANDARD
OILY 'ss'Ia. HS>N-
FRIDAY MORNING, FEEli III ,, 1906.
Lesson Taught by Valencia Horror.

the causes which led to such a large
percentage %! destruction al life in the
Valencia disaster.
In the first place, it seems that the
Government is to blame in not having
means OF immediate communication
Of the need OF aid to contiguous points,
where there were many steamers ready
to extend aid, before the sea had be-
come 60 turbulent from increasing
storm, as to render it impossible. The
wireless telegraph has demonstrated
its utility and efficiency within the
limits which might have rendered I'M
mediate knowledge of the disaster
available for plans OF rescue, and no
time should be lost in erecting these
watch towers for permanent commun-
ication with all passing craft, as we'll
means OF communication with fleet
of lifc-.aving chips stationed all along
the coast at Indictment seasons OF the
year, which should be not only
equipped with this means of commun-
ication, whereby relay system might
be established, If necessary, and every
appliance known to the life-saving SER
vice.
Then there should be system OF
drill established on all sea.going ves-
sells. The crew should be subjected to
practice in the management OF boats
and the construction and proper use
OF life RATS, in all weathers and condi.
tions OF the sea. A thorough examine
ton OF all the appliances, useful in
emergency, should be made daily, the
condition OF the boats ascertained and
the means of launching them should
be a matter OF regular drill, and it
should be subject to we'll understood
discipline, as thorough as of the sol.
diery on the field of battle.
One OF the survivors OF the Valencia
says that there was no discipline
among officers or men; that the plugs
in the boats and the row.locks did not
fit; that the life.preservers we're made
of reeds, and not of cork; that Elk of
the crew landed near Cape Beale with.
out any of the passengers. and asks
the pertinent question, Why did the
Queen and two tugs steam away and
leave the victims to their fate? These
queries we're made by Prof. Bunker,
one Of the passengers. Many others,
equally pertinent may be asked, but it
will serve no good, except to empha-
size the necessity for legislation to
establish, as near as possible, some &C.
curate methods for preservation OF life
in the inevitable shipwrecks which
occur at frequent intervals on our
storm .swept, rock.bound coasts.
"In time of peace prepare for war, y
is an adage that applies to other con.
ditions than the field of carnage.
Like the Iroquois disaster, the burning
of . theater which destroyed the. lives
of many hundreds of women and child
rem, the utter helplessness of the class
of victims that might have been 60
easily lessened if not wholly prevented
by legal safeguards, the present horror
will suggest the need of action, and
this rapid subsistence of public feeling
and apparent indifference to the neces-
sity of prompt action, will impress the
need OF immediate and persistent at.
tention to the matter as . safeguard
for the future.
There is not the slightest doubt but
that had the cable been working to
Totoosh light, the information might
have been flashed to q number Of tugs
able to extend succor. That matter
should receive the immediate attention
of Congress, az we'll as the enactment
of a law requiring at least vessels car
rying passengers to install wireless
outfits, undercompetent management.
for throwing out the invisible life-lines
for aid when needed. Then some plan
should be devised whereby the masters
of such ships should be required, by
law, to keep all appliances in good or
der and the crew we'll instructed as to
their exact duty iu any possible emer.
gency. Heavy penalties should be
prescribed for neglect OF duty, both
upon the master and the owners Of
vessels carrying passengers, and the
travelling public kept in mind that il
is duty they owe to themselves and
to humanity to report any neglect OIL
duty or infractions OF such provisions
as may be prescribed for immediate
use of all lawful aids for protection o.
the lives of those who, in going down
10 chips at sea, blindly entrust every
safeguard to the care of others.
Already our State has the honor by
well.directed endeavor of Ex-Governor
w. A. Newell, while Congressman
from New Jersey, which resulted il
establishment of our life-saving service
that has saved many thousands ol
lives and many millions of dollars in
property values. Why may not some
one or all OF our Congressman achieve
like distinction?
Where may not Senator Piles, or Sen
ator Ankeny, or Representatives Jones
Cushman or Humphrey, take the lead
in q matter of such Astounding import
ance, and achieve fame that will en-
dure long after they have passed from
this sphere of action? 1t is an oppor
unity seldom offered in q lifetime.
SECRETARY Metcalf, of the Depart