The Washington times., 1906-02-06
SULZER PLEADS FOR
SLOCUM VICTIMS
An Affecting Scene Before
House Claims Committee.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN WEEP
Representatives of Survivors Eloquent
" Urge Merits of Bill to Pro
vide Relief for UnfOTtunates.

Twenty people whose families were
either wiped out or decimated by the
burning Of the SlOcum IN New York.
haTbor in June. 1894, appeared before
the House Committee on Claims this
morning in company with their Con
gresham, Representative Sulzer. of
New York and their attorney Theo-
dore Sujro. TO ask a favorable report
by the committee on the Surzer bill
for their relief.
Addresses were made 20 the commit
tee by Mr.. Sulzer, Mr. Sutro, Charles
Oersch. president Of the organization
of Slocum survivors, and by other mem
bers of the organization.
tt was an affecting scene in the COM
mittee room, which was crowded with
men, women. ana children. whose eyes
were dimmed with tears as the speak
ers told the heartrending story Of the
terrors and ag1nies and deaths Of their
loved ones in the flames OF the burning
ship
Two little boys, Henry Addicks and
Willie Ell. whose heads were burned
10 perpetual badness in the doomed
ship, were in the committee room, and
their appearance was q silent but elo-
Quent plea To the committee.
The Sulzer bill, in support of which
this delegation appeared before the
committee, directs the Court OF Claims
to decide whether the United States is
liable for damages as a result of the
1850 fatalities on the SloCum. and, if
80, to award damages TO those entitled
10 them.
Mr. SuIzer, in whose district all the
injured and dead people resided. was
the first speaker
After picturing the tragedy and dwell
10
he declared that while prosecution and
Indictment of officials were we'll enough
IN their way, yet punishment of the
guilty brought no aid 10 the UntortuDa te,
Provisions of the Bill.
ITO that end" said Mr.. Sulzer. 4 in
troduced a bill for their relief ia the
last Congress. but il was introduced at
the short session and the bill was never
considered. 1 Te-intrOduCei the same
bill a. the beginning of this Congress,
and we are here today asking this COM
mittee to carefully consider the bill and
report il fsvorabIy-
This bill. briefly. provides that the
Court Of Claims of the United states
Government be invested with jurisdic-
ton To adiudicate these claims and as
certain if the Government Of the United
States is responsible by reason Of the
negligence of its officials. and if the
court nnds. in the first instance, that
The government was guilty OF negligence
and Is responsible, that then the court
SHAH hear and audit the Chains ana ren-
der such Judgment IN damages 10 the
claimants a. may be FAIR and Just ana
proper IN the premises
No Other Redress.
There is no other way under the law
10y which these people can recover dam
inc fass
an old statute OF this Government no
person. or aggregation of persons, can
recover damages for personal injuries or
on account of the death of Kin caused
by the negligence Of any steamboat or
itS agents or officers plying on the in
land waters of the United States beyond
The value of the steamer itself. In my
opinion that is very unjust law and
one written on the statute books OF the
Government years and years ago under
q pprehenSIon, or TO throw CLOAK
of protection around the owners of
steamers and pleasure craft plying on
he inland waters Of the United States.
Hopes to Change Law
IL introduced a bill in the last Con-
gress and have reintroduced il in this
Congress. 10 change that IaW so that
the owners OF these steamers and pleas
ure craft shall be liable in damages the
same as any railroad company or any
other individual or corporation. carry
ing passengers for hire and doing the
business practically of d common car
rier- This UBIQUITOUS law ought 10 ne
changed SO that the corporation. or the
individuals owning these boats shall be
held liable I'm damages, instead of the
hoat itself for injuries due 10 negligence.
IH Calanitics caused entirely by their
own caTeleSsness
IN closing. Mr.. Sulzer impressed the
fact that the bill simply gives the
court The right 10 ascertain. frst if the
Government il legally liable, and then.
if the Government is liable in the
opinion of the court. to secondly award
ddma ges to those who are entitled to
DANA ges III such sums as shall be fair.
Just and equitable to the sufferer and
10 the victim OF Government negligence.
10 do impartial justice o the wounded
and the maimcd, as we'll as to the Gov
rVff