The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-04-25
INVENTOR Of
WIRELESS On
The STAND
Denied He Had Anything to do
With News Suppression
U. 5. Ship Picked Up Message
Keep Ysur Msuth Shut
Sensational Facts Brought Out
at the titanic Probe

Washington, April 25. Guglielmo
MarconL inventor Of the wireless
which bears his name, and chairman
of the Marconi CO., limited. today told
the senate committee investigating the
Titanic disaster he had authorized the
wireless operators on the Carpathia
and Titanic to sell the stories of the
great catastrophe for publication.
Marconi explained that in giving con-
sent for the sale OF these stories he
had not attempted In any way to sup
press any information Of the wreck.
The inventor of the wireless denied
any knowledge whatever Of wireless
message sent the Carpatnia operators
telling them to keep your mouths
shut and hold out for four figures"
These messages, one of them signed,
'Marconi," were picked up by the
United States battleship Florida when
the Carpathia was coming in, and for
warded to the secretary of the navy.
Marconi declared he never authoriz-
ed these messages but did give his
consent that the operators could re-
ceive money.
Early in his testimony, Marconi told
Of the repeated attempts he made
Sunday, Monday and the days follow
ing the tragedy, to get information.
I'd like to have your own best judg-
ment as to whether the custom estab-
lished by Operator Binns in the Re-
public disacter in selling his news and
the privilege you gave Cottam in the
Titanic disaster had anything to do
with your failure to get information,
and the reason the public was deprived
Of details in this horror
Marconi said he didn't think SO and
repeatedly insisted he had not attempt.
ed to suppress any details.
| When Senator Smith reached the
committee room MESA es tt3rn Toron-
to awaited him containing information
that the dispositions OF the Officers and
crew Of the steamer Mount Temple,
which sighted the Titanic, would be
taken today by the Canadian authors
ties at st. John. N. b., and be forwarded
to Washington.
Representatives Of the White Star
Co, said they would try to have
Fourth OFFICER BoxhaIl before the COM
mittee tomorrow. He had been III.
Senator Smith asked Marconi what he
had do with wireless apparatus, ashore
and afloat and whether he selected
the operators.
Il am consulted as to the installation
or apparatus" the witness replied. II
don't dictate the style of apparatus
but am called on to advise. travel
around the world good bit on just
this work
Before leaving the stand, Marconi
said he utterly opposed the suppression
Of any news or the sale of any ex-
elusive news.
| Operator III. T. Cottam of the Car
pathia was recalled. He was question
ed as to the distress signals sent from
the Titanic. He reiterated the state
ments made in New York, adding
somewhat to the details, He testified
he received several messages from the
United States ship, Chester, asking for
the passenger list and once asking
about Major Butt. He didn't know it
was from the president Of the United
| States, he said.
Cottam remembered receiving an
aerogram signed "Sammis", promising
to operators money In four figures for
their stories and mot to talk"
He testified he kept his mouth
shut as directed.
He said there was persistent demand
for news OF the disaster. but that he
was busy sending and taking messages
for passengers. and that he had orders
to ignore the other messages.