The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-30
Director of White Star Line Is
Put Through
A Final Examination on the
Titanic Disaster.
HE INDIGNANTLY DENIES
That His Company Tried to
Secure Reinsurance.
Says the Lost Ship Was Not a
"Speed Boat"

Washington, April SO.-The senate
investigation into the wreck of the
Titanic entered its final stages today.
]. Bruce 1smay was recalled to the
witness stand and put through a last
searching examination by Senator
Smith. Mr.. Ismay Indignantly denied
that he or any representative of his
company had attempted to reinsure
the Titanic between the time she went
down and the hour the real news OF
the disater became public. He asserted
that wireless message which he di-
rected to Vice President Franklin from
the Carpathia on Monday morning,
April 10, did not reach that official
until Wednesday, the 18th.
Mr.. Ismay said the Titanic was not
"speedboat" but had been construct
ed under orders given by him to make
her the biggest and best equipped yes
sci afloat. No cost limit had been
sea.
Before reaching the senate hearing
Mr.. Ismay and four officers of the
Titanic were summoned to appear be-
fore an admiralty court commissioner
late today to give testimony to be used
in a contemplated damage suit to be
by Mrs. Louise Robins of New York
for the loss of her husband.
A charge was made to the commit
tee today that the White Star officials
A@O pOSlllNS NEWS OIL the disaster De-
tween the hours of and on the
morning following the accident but
suppressed the news until IL hours later.
Ihe information was given by z. j.
Dunn, a New York business man who
said he in turn got his information in
New York from the son of Western
Union employee. Dunn refused to give
MS 1nformant's name and was prompt
~ given over to the sergeant-at-arms
ana spent several hours using the
long distance telephone to New York
IN an effort to be absolved from his
pledge of secrecy.
Vice President Franklin Of tba
white Star line suggested the COM
m1ttee call on the telegraph comDanv
Tor the message and said he wanted
the committee to have every wireless
message cablegram or telegram bear
ing on the disaster.
We want this matter sifted to the
bottom" said he.
Knew She Would Sink.
senator Burton announced he had
examined Fourth Officer .Boxhau last
night and had learned from him
that j. w. Andrews, builder of the
Titanic, who went down with the ship.
told Captain Smith after the collision
that the boat would sink within an
hour.
Andrews had gone over the shin
Immediately after the crash and dis
covered that her hull had been ripped
open.
d. ]. Dunn, an importer of New
York, the first witness said that a day
or so ago a friend told of the recent
by the Western Union office of a
wireless message which was transmit
ted to "Isle-frank' between 1880 and
o'clock Monday morning. The code
address is that of p. A. 8. Franklin.
vice president of the international
Mercantile marine. The message. the
witness said he was informed, told OF
the Titanic disaster. news of which
was not made public by the White
Star line until twelve hours later.
What was your informant's
tell you" replied Dunn. II am under
pledge not to reveal his name. He
promised to come over here to testi-
fy, but today I received the following
Regret present circurn-
do not permit DEPARTURE
II must insist you give your inform
ants name" the senator continued.
'T can't give 1t. I regret Il very
much" said Dunn
Afraid of His Job.
Ibid your informant tell You vhv vo,,
should not give hts name?'
IT'S simply a matter of protecting
his father. He said his father is en-
ployed by the Western Union and that
If this matter came out and IL was
known that he gave it, his father would
lose his position"
Mr.. Dunn was Temporarily excused.
Senator Smith instructed him to get
into telephone communication with the
man.
II am going to get that mans name"
said Senator Smith IF he will not
permit disclosure of his identity we
will use other means to get it."
What was the information in the
mysterious message?'' Senator smith
was asked
Dunn has not disclosed It on the
stand but L know what it was" said
he senator.
TT showed the White Star people had
Information about the fate of the IT,
,anic hours before they made It pub
ic"
Did the message refer to an attempt
% reinsure the Titanic?''
1lied.
Mr.. Franklin suggested the commit
zee call on the Western Union to pro-
luce the message.
I'VE want this matter sffted TO the
bottom and we want you to have every
Message sent or received that has anv
fearing on the disaster" said Mr.
Franklin.
charles H Morgan, of Cleveland a
ieputy United States, marshal who
brought the witness Louis Klein 70
who subsequently disap-
oeared next was called. He said Klein
from his hotel several -days
Lgo and could not be found.