Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-25
SUCCOR ONLY FIVE MILES
AWAY WHEN TITANIC SANK
Fourth Officer Tells Senate Investigating Com
n1ittee Of Intellectual Efforts to Attract At
tention of Unidentified Steamer.

washington, April 22.-With succor only
1--we miles away, the Titanic slid into its
watery grave, carrying with II more than
1000 OF its passengers and crew. while an
Unidentified steamer that might have
saved all failed or refused to see the
Frantic signals flashed to It for aid This
phase Of the tragic disaster was brought
out to-day befor, the Senate investiga ting
committee when ]. IS. Boxhall, fourth
officer Of the Titanic told OF his unsuc-
cessful attempts to attract the stranger
attention.
This ship. according to BoxhaI. could
not have been more than five miles away
md was steaming toward the Titanic.
30 close was 1t that from the bridge
Boxhall plainly saw its masthead lights
md then its red sidelight.
Both with rockets and with the Morse
electric signal did the young officer hail
fhe stranger. Captain Smith and several
Others in the vicinity os the bridge de-
clared at the time their belief that the
vessel had seen them and was signalling
In reply. Boxhall failed to see the replies.
however. and in any case the steamer
kept on its course obliquely past the
Titanic without extending aid.
This. and the declaration by p. A. s.
Franklin, vice pre- sident of the White Star
line, that there were not sufficient life
boats aboard the Titanic to care for the
ships company at one time were the
features OF the hearing.
QUIzZED ABOUT MESSAGES.
The official was quizzed throughout the
changed between the Carpathia and him.
col thn hod atar tod
York with the Titanic's survivors aboard.
Among the survivors was J. Bruce 1smay.
managing director of the line.
Among the wireless kilograms read into
the record was one from Mr.. Ismay urging
the Carpatha arrived with its sorry
burden. He declared he believed 1t most
desirable" that the survivors Of the
Titanic's crew be rushed out Of the coun-
try as quickly as possible He also, the
message said, would sail on the Cedric and
asked that clothing be ready at the pier
for him when the Carpathia docked. The
Senate's subpoenas blocked the plan.
The committee will resume its hearing
at ten O'Clock tomorrow morning. Fourth
Officer Boxhall Is expected to continue
on the stand to tell more fully Of the
Hours before the resumption of the In
uuiry great crowds swarmed to the Senate
office building and made a rush for the
raucus room. Hundreds Of them were
women. and as In the Titanic disaster. II
was women first" who were admitted
TO the hearing room. Capitol police took
charge Of the arrangements and by ten
o'clock there were no available seats and
,tor Aenep Avt,n 80
tors and representatives who sought TO
get places of vantage for members Of their
families were unable 10 do so.
IsMAY VERY NERVOUS
William Alden Smith, chairman Of the
subcommittee. reached the Senate office
building late and went into conference
with Senators Newlands. Burton, Perkins.
Simmons and Fletcher Mr.. Ismay. as he
sat talking to his attorney and Vice.
President Franklin. appeared wan and
haggard. not as well az he looked during
the days at the Waldorf Astoria, when
the inquiry was begun following the ar
rival of the Carpathia with its grief
stricken survivors. Mr.. Ismay chatted in
termittently with j. p. Kierlein. one of
the officials Of the White Star line. In
Cessantly he drew upon a sheet of paper
he had acquired from the press table.
Always the sketch was that Of the White
Star flag. such a flag as was floating at
the peak of the Titan. wnen II sailed to
its doom.
j. q. Boxhall. was the frs; witness
called, after Senator Smith had cautioned
the crowd against any demonstration.
Boxhall was the fourth officer OF the
Titanic, one Of the four officers to sur
vive the disaster. but after he entered
the room. Senator Smith asked him to
step aside and called Vice-President
Franklin Of the International Mercantile
Marine company. He began to question
Mr.. Franklin as to the companies com.
prisng the corporation. Its connections
md tic capitalization.
MILLIONS OF CAr1TAL.
MIR. Franklin described the business
operations and extent Of the International
Mercantile Marine.
What is its capitalization" asked
Senator Smith.
"One hundred million in common and
preferred shares. $50. in AZ per
rent. bonds. $4,000. 900 In five per cent.
bonds and about 100000 of underlying
bonds"
Can you give me the names OF the
directors of the various steamship COM
panles?" asked Senator Smith.
II cannot" said Mr.. Franklin. but I
phall gladly give you the names Of the
officers and directors of the International
Marine. The other companies, many OF
them, are located abroad"
After Mr.. Franklin had read a list OF
the officials and directors of the Inter.
rational Senator Smith said:
You are the real representative in this
country of the White Star line?"
Eyes. SIR"
Does any ono share the responsibility
with you?"
Il am mainly responsible" answered
MIR. Franklin. There are directors in
this country and meetings are held fire.
unently."
did you know Captain Smith OF the
Ttanic?" Senator Smith inquired.
Ever since 1885," said the witness,
adding that Captain Smith had command
ed the Majestic. Adriatic. Baltic Olympic
and the Titanic.
NO MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN.
$50 far as you know did you or any Of
your subordinate officers have any COM
munication with Captain Smith on his
last vOyage?"
mo, none at all. We did not hear from
him In any way or shape"
Mr.. Franklin said he had received
no communication from Mr.. Ismay
except one by cable from Southamp-
ton. This. he said. was merely a ca