The Washington times., 1912-05-07
ARMY TRANSPORT
L|FE5SAV|NG BILL
PASSES THE HOUSE
Three Hundred Thousand
Dollars Appropriated to
Equip Boats.

BY unanimous vote the House has
appropriated 100000 to equip with life
saving apparatus every army transport
now afoat. In view OF the Titanic
disaster. equally prompt and decisive
action is expected when the bill reaches
the Senate.
Immediately after the Titanic went
down with fearful loss of life because
OF the inadequacy of iifeboats, The
Times called attention to the fact that
army transports were insufficiently
equipped and that the men who were
In the service of the United States
might meet a fate similar to that which
befell the Titanic heroes.
Investigation at the War Department,
as evidenced in a report sent TO the
House Committee on Military Affairs,
showed that almost without exception
there was not sufficient life-saving ap-
paratus on army transports to protect
the lives OF the passengers and crew
ordinarily aboard these Government
vessels.
Secretary s:imson advised the House
that probably $1,000 would be required
to install adequate lifeboats liferafts,
and other life:savins devices upon army
however. to the fact that a rather un-
usual situation existed In that the
army transports were equipped with
Inspection laws.
insufficient Laws.
in other words. although the inspec-
| tion laws were satisfied, there was still
ar insuffcirncy OF Iifeooats TO accom-.
Inodate those who Gail on the army
vessels. ....
The House Committee on Military At.
| fairs upon receipt of the report OF the
War Department, unanimously recon
mcndcd an appropriation 70 make every
army trarsrort safe. The bill was
immediately Oh the unanimous consent
calendar. and there was not q dissent
ing voice raised when Chairman Hay
called up the bil ,y,s yestetnay st yo,,ovsa the
adoption of resolution, also the re.
suit OF the Titanic disaster. which
authorizes the President to invite
other nations to participate in an In
| Washington. the object Of which shal
| be to agree upon a system OF uniform
navigation laws which may prevent the
fearful loss Of life resulting from tht
bill was introduced by Congressman
Alexander of Missouri.
| The bill which seeks TO preserve th'
safety of soldiers, sailors. and pas
sengers aboard army transports. fol
lowing the first interest in this subtec
| by The Times. reads as follows:
| Be II enacted that the sum OF $SUu.UU
or so much there of as may be neces
sary, is hereby appropriated. out OF an!
! money in the Treasury not otherwise ap
propriated. for the purpose OF eauippinl
all army transports with all lifeboat
and RATS necessary to accommodate,
every person for whom transportation
facilities are now provided on SAT-
Transports; said sum to be expended
under the direction of the Secretar'
OF War who Is hereby directed to max
4 to Congress an itemized statemen
| showing how the sum aforesaid ha
been expended.
| Committee Favored Bill
In recommending the passage OF tn
army transports bill. the House Com
mittec on Military Affairs said:
Your committee respectfully urge tn
immediate passage of this bill. You
committee, Immediately following tn
Titanic disaster, hastened to acquaint II
self with the conditions on army trans
ports, and was gratified to learn tina
these Transports were equipped wit
wireless and searchlights; but, while be
ing equipped with more boats and raft
than we're required by law, yet did nc
carry enough boats and RATS to accom-
modate all the passengers and crew O
the transports. The War Department
prompetly recommended the passage G
this bill, as will be seen by the indorse