Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-04-25

Washington, April 25.-Marconi on
the stand this morning said that ev.
cry liner should have two wireless
operators, He said he understood the
difficulty of the Carpathia's operator
in sending messages was on account
of the interference of amateurs
Marconi said that Harold Bride, the
Titanic's surviving wireless man, re-
ceived $500 for his story of the dis
aster and that Operator Cottam also
received fancy figure for his tale.
Marconi denied that he had wired
Bride and Cotton to keep their
mouths Shut and to suppress the
news until 1t could be COINED into
dollars at four figures He said Cot
tam telephoned him on Thursday ev-
ening after the Carpathia arrived in
New York, asking permission to give
the story of the disaster. Permission
was given, Marconl continued.
at is an offense under British law
for wireless operator to give ont
news, Cottam used his discretion in
Tefusing TO give the story while he
was aboard the Carpathia, In New
York, at 2 o'clock, Friday morning
Cottam told me he could get some
thing for his story. told him to
give 1t II he wished.
Cold BlOOded Proposition.
Senator Smith then read the follow
Ing wireless sent by Captain of the
U. s. s, Florida to the navy depart
ment.
"The following radlograms were in
tercepted by Wireless Operator Simp-
son, and appear to me to be signifl-
cant enough to be brought to the de-
partments attention:
seagate to Carpathia, $40 p. M,
April 1S-Say, old man, Marconi COM
pany taking good care Of you. It Is
fixed for you so you'll get big money
Now please 10 your best to clear.
'seagate to CarpatMa and Titanic
operators, $3.50 p. M, April 1S.-Ar-
ranged for your exclusive story for
dollars in four figures. Marconl
agreeing Say nothing until you see
mel NJ. Sammis, operator c.
"'seagate to Carpathla operator
p mo April 1S.-Go to Strand Hotel
to meet Mr.. Marconl-C.'
Seagate to Carpathla operator
$3.50 p. m.--Meet Mr.. Marconi and
Sammis at Strand Keep mouth shut
Marconl' '"
MarcOnl Denies Them.
MarconI said of these messages; 81
know nothing about them. told
sammis, as an official of the British
company, would not prevent the op-
orators making what they could out
Of the information they had. 1t is not
the custom Of the company, but 1t was
done in the case of the Republic
wreck Jack Binns was permitted to
give his statement for pay. You are
assuming that attempted to obstruct
messages, did not ! heard Of the
presidents attempt to reach the Cara
pathia, asked Cottam, and he
stated that the Chester had asked for
a list Of the survivors, and he told
the Chester that the list had already
been sent to the shore station. Cot.
tam declared he received no presl
dental query"
Marconi said that, In his opinion
the press privilege accorded Blnni
did not affect the Carpathia operators
failure to give the public information
of the Titanic He added:
Told Operator to Get Money.
when told the operator to TAX,
something for his story, meant tha
the newspapers would be so interest
ed in what he had to say in view o
the fact that Bride had behaved brave
ly and brilliantly that he could ex
pect to be paid"
Marconi declared he did not expec
the operators to sell their stories Il
the highest bidder. and he did not be
lieve that any Marconi official ha,
received money