The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-22
SIR CosMO DUFF,-GoRDON. 50,
 A TITANIC SURVIVOR


 There ares times when to be titled, or wealthy, or famous, is distinct disadvantage Tn time of stress, from those who have much is expected much: If Bruce Ismay had been a steerage passenger on the ill-fated Titanic, instead of managing director and part owner of the line he might have esca ped with his life without be- coming an object of scorn and bitter criticism. Also, if Sir Cosmo Ed mund Duff-Gordon had not been a man of title and affairs. Athe incident of lifeboat Mo- would have passed unnoticed. As matters stand, Sir Cosmo. after his heckling by the Brit ish Investigating committee and the American reporters, does not find his reputation for bravery and gallantry rated Al. e
 Sir Cosmo is fifty years old today, having been born July p, 1882. He is the son of Cosmo Lewis Duff-Gordon Antrobus baronet. HIS. father was thes second son of the second baronet, and Sir Cosmo succeeded to the title as fifth baronet on the death of his cousin in 1896. He was educated at Eton. In March, 1900.j he married the widow of James S.. Wallace, daugh- ter of Douglas Sutherland. Sir Cos 
 financial affairs, but he found an able provider in his talented wife, who opened fashionable dress making shop in London The lure of title attracted wealthy Americans as well as smart Englishw to Lady Duff Gordon's shop, and she soon attained great vogue. Finding Yankee dol lars very useful, she decided to ac> quire more of them by opening a branch abiishment. in New. York, under the name of Lucille, Limited. She also eked out her income, already large, by writing articles on fashions for a New York paper. Last year her New York shop was raided by United States customs officers, who arrested Thomas J. Duggan, the man ager, charging him with conspiring te import feminine wearing apparel from England at a much lower valuation than it's real cost: Lady Duff-Gordon was not accused of any guilty knoYi- edge Of the alleged acts of her man. ager. 1i ,f When the Titanic sailed on it's first and last voyage, Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon Joined the ship at Cher bourg, travelling incognito as MT. and Mrs. Morgan. When the vessel struck the ice the English baronet and his wife were among the first off, taking lneboat No l. In the subsequent in-
 
 Gordons objected to going back to at tempt to rescue those struggling in the water, although the boat was only part full. This allegation, made by Fireman Hendrickson, was indignant ly denied by the titled couple. George Symons, the seaman in charge of the boat, supported the Duff-Gordons' tes- timony. It was also drought out that each member of the crew of the boat was later given a check for $25 by Sir Cosnno.
 Sir Cosmo has many defenders, who allege that at the time he left the Titanic he did not know that there were not lifeboats enough for all. At the time he left, he has since declar- ed, he believed that the Titanic would remain afloat and considered that the danger. was as great in an open boat as on the wrecked liner. He took 10 thes Iifeboat. Sir Cosmo declares, at the command of an officer, Lady Duff Gordon having refused to leave him.