The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-23

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When asked II any officer OF the
White Star Line had tried to control
the conduct OF the -Carpathia's wire
less operator, Franklin replied: Most
emphatically no."
Franklin insisted that the White
Star Co. tried through every source
at its command to get Information
regarding the fate of the third-class
passengers and the crew. He had also
been unable to get definite news con.
corning the fate of Major Butt before
the Carpathia landed.
did you or any Of your officers at
any time before the Carpathia arrived
at New York receive any message
from any one asking that the Cedric
be held at New York until the Car.
pathia arrived" asked Senator Smith.
Yes, sir" said Franklin.
Then Franklin read the following
message he received from ]. Bruce
Ismay:
"Most desirable Titanic crew
aboard carpathla be returned home
early possible. Propose held Cedric
until they can board. propose re-
turn with them. Please send clothes,
including shoes"
(sIsned) "YAMsi."
"'Yamsi Is Ismay. isn't it," asked
Smith.
YES; sir" answered Franklin. Il
sent the following reply:
Have arranged TO forward crew
on Lapland, which sails Saturday. We
all consider 1t most unwise to delay
Cedric, considering circumstances
Ismay replied to this as follows:
Unless impossible, arrange for
crew to sail on Cedric. Most unde-
sirable to keep the crew in New York
so long. (Signed) YAMSI,"
Another "Yamsi'' message was:
Send responsible ships officers
and IA White Star sailors and two
boats to take charge of 13 Titanic's
lifeboats at Quarantine"
This was received at 5:35 a. m,
April Is. Another at a. m, Thurs
day, from "Yamsi," again urged de-
tention OF the Cedric.
Franklin read his reply, saying 1t
was inadvisable to detain the Cedric.
He also read a message from Ismay,
asking him to meet him at Quaran-
tine in New York. AT 4:45 p. m,
April Is, Franklin said he sent mes
sage to Ismay, urgently appealing for
an authentic story OF the disaster
Senator Smiths questioning brought
out the admission from Franklin that
lsmay had never before used the sig
nature "Yamsi' in sending messages.
1T was an address, not signature
he said. 1T was his code word
abroad and was never used in this
country, | understand"
wv ethought II would be very uE-
fortunate thing to hold the Cedric.
We knew what was being said and We
knew how the removal of the crew or
the Titanic would be construed,
Franklin continued. He had not told
Ismay that the senate investigation
was ordered until he saw the manag-
ing director on the Carpathia.
Senator Perkins, of California, ask
ed Franklin If the regulations for
lifeboats were observed on the II
tanic.
I'VE observed every rule Of the
British oBard of Trade" said Frank
lin. He did not know just what those
regulations We're. Franklin said any
recommendation for ,>inyestments in
new boats would be made by Ismay.
The witness denied that any attempt
had been made to have the Titanic
make a record on her first trip.
Nobody for one moment ever be-
lieved an accident of this kind could
happen" he continued. I'VE never
thought that the ship could go down
We considered the Titanic a tremen-
deus lifeboat In itself--unsinkable.
Il do not see how you can blame
anybody for the wreck" he added.
I'VE ha dthe best commander. the
ship was constructed as only three
other ships are-with a view 10 max
ing her as near unsuitable as pos
sible."
Franklin said he had no direct
knowledge OF life-saving devices on
the Titanic, and that such matters did
not come within his Jurisdiction. He
denied, however. that the company
had tried 10 economic on lifeboats.
WAS this ship equipped with a
searchlight?" asked Senator Smith.
Il do not think so,' replied Frank
lin. II never heard Of transatlantic
liner that was"
Franklin urgently asked the coDs-
mittee to hear the Titanic's crew i'm
mediately. He said II was their duty
to get through with them and let them
go home.
"As far as Mr. Ismay and are con-
cerned, We are at your disposal, but
the seamen ought not TO be detained
minute longer than necessary, he
declared
HAS there been any attempt on
your part or any OF your officers to
spirit away any Of the officers or
crew." asked Senator Smith.
"To the best Of my knowledge and
belief, no." said Franklin,
When pressed for his reasons for
wanting TO get the members of the
Titanic's crew out of the country,
Franklin said:
These men are dificu1t to control.
People are constantly running after
them, giving them presents to make
them talk. They get into endless
trouble and can not be controlled az
the ordinary seaman, who Is forced
to report to the officers on board the
ship to which he belongs. We want
ed to get them out Of these tempta-
tions and send them where they can
sign on another ship and go to sea
again.
Technically speaking. these men
ceased TO be in our employ when the
ship went down, but We will take
care OF them.
"The worst thees sailors could say
wouldn't remedy the matter as far
I xunnldn't on n