The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-18
UNCLE SAM TO SEE
Government viii Investigate
Titanic Disaster.
More Stringent Shipping Regu-
IatiOns May Result.
HAS TAUGHT A TARDY LESSON
President Taft Taking Personal
Interest in Matter.
May Result in Forcing a South
erly Route.
HAS TAUGHT A TARDY LESSON

Washington. April 1s.-As a compli-
ment to the congressional investigation
the scope of which has not yet been
fully determined, Secretary Nagel will
take up at once with President Taft
the entire subject of safeguarding ocean
travel by more strir -ent American
shipping regulations. The disaster has
aroused congress, President Taft and
the cabinet to the urgent need of i'm
mediate measures of safety for oceanic
travel. 1t is believed laws will be pre-
pared at once in congress based on the
advice of officials of the department of
commerce and labor and American
shipping experts that will insure safety
OF passengers and crew in cases like
the present where ample time existed
for their removal in life boats.
No concrete program of action has
yet been outlined. The congressional
investigation announced by Chairman
Alexander and Nelson of the house and
the senate committees will probably re-
suit in the summoning also e officials
of the White Star line to state what
precautions for safety are taken on the
White Star liners
There could be no greater motive for
stringent legislation than the fate of
the host of passengers whom the life
boats of the Titanic could not carry TO
safety said Representative Alexander.
There could be no more pungent Illus
frat ton of the necessity of this Iegisa-
ton than is to be found in the stories
survivors will be able to tell congress.
of the scenes enacted on the wreck in
the three hours that passed between
the collision with the iceberg and the
plunge of the hulk to the bottom
No accurate information is obtainable
of Nac hi
ton as to the capa city of The 1fesavfng
apparatus on the Titanic or number of
IF boats provided Several attempts
have been made today to secure the
exact facts as to the vessel. Govern
rnent officials charged with the enforce
nent of the shipping laws and regula-
tons were engrossed today with the
subject of safety and protection for
transatlantic travel. It is expected
immediate reforms will be demanded
officially by the government and will
be enforced through new laws reuuir-
ing all vessels entering American ports
to carry sufficient apparatus to remove
all passengers and crews in time Of
emergency.
President Taft is taking a keen per-
sonal interest in all features of the pro-
posed regulation of passenger vessels;
and he will probably send reconlmen-
dations to congress containing the sug-
Sestions of the executive department
bills are pending in congress to regu-
late life saving apparatus on all vessels
clearing American ports. Chairman
Alexander of the house committee con-
templates drafting a new bill based on
the facts brought out by the Titanic
disaster and on the recommendation
and suggestions of officials of the de-
partment of commerce and labor.
Revenue cutter officials in Washing
ton believe the disaster will result in
insurance companies insisting on
steamships taking a more southerly
course across the ocean. Prompt action
is to be taken by congress to report a
bill providing strict control of wireless
a subject which was under considera-
ton at a conference yesterday between
Mr. Taft and the cabinet Measures
have been pending for some time in the
house committee on merchant marine.
Interference of amateurs and irrespon-
sible operators with the anxiously
awaited messages from the Carpathia
and other ships will result in an at
tempt to secure immediate legislation
regulating wireless operation. The SEN
fimenta1 side of the problem and the
charges that the government was try
ing to stifle electrical genius and re-
strict wireless operators to their own
plants and those of certain established
companies, undoubtedly prevented an
earlier restriction OF operations