New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-27
Reporter Told Him First.

Reporter Told Him First.
Mr.. Franklin reiterated that the first in
formation he received OF the Titanic hitting
the iceberg was when a newspaper re-
porter awakened him at his home at ,
, o clock Monday morning.
Senator Smith then had read into the
record description OF the disaster pub
llshed In the Anaconda (Mont) stand
ard" April Is. He did so. he said. to bring
ont the fact that outside persons seemed
TO have had more information than the
officials Of the White Star Line. Senator
Smith then had the witness read cable
message which he sent TO the lines Liver
pool Office telling OF the accident, and de-
claring that the NirgInian was on the way
10 the THAMES assistance. The cable mes
sage was sent at 6:l5 Monday morning.
do you not think" asked Senator Smith,
that II the information you cabled abroad
was worth reporting To Liverpool II GER
tainly vas important enough TO give 10 the
public?"
Mr. Franklin said he based his report
entirely on a telephone communication with
the lines agent In Montreal and on re-
ports received by The Associated Press
and the newspapers.
Ar. Franklin said he lost no time after
receiving telephone reports from Mon
treaI informing Liverpool OF the "rumors
Senator Smith suggested Franklin had re-
ceived the information from Montreal at
$50 and did not send a dispatch until SD
II had 10 wait until got to the office
before / cabled," said Mr.. Franklin. 1t
vas a matter OF expediency.
Cabled inquiries from England for his
company. Mr. Franklin said were received
In New York before he sent the cable, but
not delivered at his office until after he
sent his message. Senator Smith asked If
he had directed tie cable companies not 10
deliver important messages ~ night.
No. sir They would be delivering mes
sages all night IL they were to deliver all
as they came In.
Mr.. Franklin denied that the cable COM
panles were under any control by the
steamship company.
senator Smith inquired OF Mr.. Franklin
What authority his company had over wire
less operators on their ships.
II presume IL any one was objectionable
he could he removed"
do you approve OF The custom which
has been revealed by Bnns, Gotham ana
Bride Of receiving pecunlary reward for
information OF disasters?'
Il think It Is rather unfortunate. Never
theless II is only human nature.
Senator Smith Gets Testy.
What kind of human nature" snapped
Senator Smith.
Mr.. Franklin expressed an opinion that x
would be desirable IL sGch custom could be
eliminated.
Senator Smith examined the witness as TO
the rules governing the duties of the wire
less operators. with special reference 10
their hours, to whom they reported and by
whose authority they left their posts.
II think those things are regulated by the
company and rot by the ship said FRANK
lin.
Operator Gotham testified before the
committee In New York that he did not
report message to the captain OF the CAR
pathla because he did not consider II I'M
portant'" continued Senator Smith the
operator on the Titanic refused to take
warning Of the presence OF Ice from the
steamship Californian because ne was busy
with his accounts | as!: YOU II there
should not be some rules ana regulations
for the governing of operators?
The witness agreed most emphancaily
that there should be such rules and said
the steamship companies were anxious
TO get the best results from the wireless
apparatus.
NO doubt this investigation VIII prihg
out some legislation settling the problem.
I believe that law should be enacted
compelling, among other things the pres
ence OF an operator ct TIE Instrument au
~ the time" said Mr.. Franklin.
Senator Smith referred TO the delay OF
the THAMES operator In receiving an Ice
message, and asked whether this one IN