Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-25
DIRECTOR |SMAY
DEFENDS HIMSELF
Denies He Had Anything to Do
with Navigation Of the
Titanic.
SIMPLY PASSENGER, he SAYS
Acknowledges He Had First.
Hand Information Regarding
Seriousness Of Accident
from Officers.
SIMPLY PASSENGER, he SAYS

replies to various published statements
regarding the Titanic disaster, particular
lN those in which his name has promin-
entity figured He denies that he had any
thing to do with the navigation of the
vessel and declares that he did not con-
suit with her captain regarding her con-
duct at sea and made no suggestion as
to the course or other handlne or tile
ship. He exercised no privileges
that dli not belong to any other
iirst-cabin passenger. he declares
did not sit at the captains tahI" ana
was not dining with him at the time Of
the accident and in fact was in bed when
the collision occurred. He had no idea
Of returning to Europe quickly to avoid
appearing al the senatorial investigation,
he adds and only knew that the inves-
tieation was pcndin. when Informed OF II
on the pier on the Carpathia's arrival
Mr. Isinay's statement follows in part:
WHEN ! appeared nefore the Senate
committee Friday morning | supposed the
purpose of the inquiry was 20 ascertain
the cause of the sinking of the Titanic
with a view to determining whether ad-
dtional legislation was required to pre-
vent the recurrence of so horrible a dis
aster.
II welcomed such an inquiry and ap
pcarcd voluntarily, without subpoena md
answered all questions put 70 mo by TN"
members Of the committee with
complete frlnkncss and without reserve
did not suppose the question of my
personal conduct was the subject of tia"
inquiry. although ! was ready to toll an.-
thing did on the night of the collision.
UNTRUE REPORTS. HE SAYS
AS have been subpocnaed to attend
before the committee in WASHINGTON to-
morrow. | should prefer to make no public
statement out of respect for the COM
mittoc. but do no, think that courtesy
requires me to be silent in the face Of the
untrue statements made in some of tho
newspapers.
"When I went M board the Titanic n,
southampton on April TO- it was my inten-
f'on to return by her. I had no intention
of remaining in the United States. 7 came
merely to observe the now vessel
During the voyage was a passenger
and exercised no greater rights q,
privileges than any other passenger was
not consulted BY the commander about
the snip, her course. speed. navgaton, or
her conduct at sea. All these matters
captain. ! saw CAPTAIN Smith only
casually. as other passengers did
1T is absolutely and unQualifiedlv false
mat ever said that | wished that the
Titanic should make a speed record or
should increase her daily runs DENY
absolutely having said to any person tina,
We would increase our speed In order Ia
get ont of the ice zone, or any words fl
that effect At no time did tho Titanic
curing the voyage. attain her full speed
no DNrRA BONUS POSSIBLE.
The statement that the White Star
line would receive an additional sum by
way Of bounty, Or otherwise, for attain
ing a certain speed, is absolutely untrue
The hite star line receives from the
British government fixed compensa ion
OF p,uo pounds per nrnum FIR CARRYING
the mails. without regard to the speed
OF an of its vessels, and no additions
sum Is paid on account OF any increase In
speei.
II VAS nerer consulted D., captain
Smitn nor 10y any other person nor did
eve" make any suggestions Whatsoever
"a any human bcn,, about the course o.
the ship Tn, Titanic" rs am informed
was on the sputhcrmos' WestbUund track
az trahs-Atla steamships. The track:
or laes wrro dosisnatrd many yea.
ago ~ ngrcc,uc1t OF all the importaE
rteanshlr lines. md ali captains OF th'
White star line n" required to navigGt,
:fci~ vessel d. closely as possible o,
:hcso tracks .ubicct to TIE folowin.
stnndn. instructions.
" Commanders mus. dstir3ty undo,
stand that the issue - these regulation
Goss not in any way relieve them frr1;
responsibility Tor the same and er;:cicr
navigation Of their respective vessels, AM
they are also enjo!rcd TO remember ma
the must run no r;ss. which might y,
Any possibility result in accident TO thci
ships 1t IS to nc hoped that thci VII
ever bear In mind tha' the safety o. IN
lies AID property entrusted &c their car
IL the ruling principle that should COVER
them in the navigation a. their vessel
anf that no supposed sain In expedite
a. satng ot tno on the voyage Is I
b. purchased tt: 'hc :'sE Of accident. Tn
company only IONS for such spec
On .hc various voyase. as Is @onsisten
with sa:c and prudent navigation
No procaution v'iah ensures safe nav
ehtion IS to hc considered excessive
Tho only Information ever receive
on the ship that ether vessels had siGhtc
ice was by ii wireless message receive
from the Baltic. This was handed to m
by Captain Smith without any remark
as he was passing me on the passcnge
deck on the afternoon Of Sunday. Apr
II. read the telegram casually and pu
II In my pocket
GAVE RACK TIE MESSAGE
AT about 10 minutes past seven. whil
waB sitting in tnr smoke 70 m, Capt al
Smith came IN and asked ire - give hin
the messAxo received from tire Bait
In order 20 post II FOR the information
the ofhcers bonded I to him and notl
Ing further was s?ii by either of Us
did no; sNcnk Ia u,,y IF e ntr"r officer
or Tia" .ui'l""'
'lf the INFORMATION received la
stouscd any nprr-ncnsiun ia my min'
hhich II tid not. | shuud noe have Vel
turrd 20 max" ANY Suggestion 10 u con
Uander 81 Captain smiths exper1tnc
inc responsibility for ths ma ,igation .
III" snip rested solely with n.m
1t han n"en stated that captain Sini'
and were having nn,ner party In OF
of ,hc saloons from 7W 10 1920 Sunda
ri1ht and 'lot nj the inc of tnc ccllisi,
m -.ls