Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-25
SENATORS INSIST
ON KEEPING MEN
Full Seriousness of Inquiry into
the Titanic Disaster Is
Disclosed.
ISMAY COULD NOT LEAVE U. s.
Investigators at First Intended
to Keep All the Grew but
Finally Agree That 10
Are Enough.
lSMAY COULD NOT LEAVE U. s.

New York April 19.--The serious
ness of the inquiry by the Senate in
vestigating committee into the Titanic
disaster was disclosed tonight when
Senator Smith of Michigan chairman
of the committee, at first fatty ra-
fused to let any of tho officers or the
200 odd members of the crew of the
sunken steamship get beyond the iur-
isdiction of the United States govern
ment. The mon were all to have sail
ed tomorrow on the Red star liner
Lapland. Later It was settled that
the greater part of the crew would
be permitted to sail on this steamer
but that the l2 men and four officers
among the survivors now under sub
poena. together with Mir. lsmaT, would
not be permitted to depart.
The intention of the committee was
made clear at adjournment. when. with
Alfred Crawford. a bedroom steward
on the stand Senator Smith pleaded
WEAKNESS
I'VE have been at this all day and into
the night" he said, land believe we had
better cease until tomorrow. | am not
through with MIR. Crawford yet and
would like to question him further to-
morrow, together W tn other members OF
the crew and the officers
LINE WILL not KEEP THEN.
G.. G. Birmingham. counsel for the
White Star lnc interposed: There are
2nn men who are to sail Tomorrow he
said surely the committee does not in
lend to hold them? We are perfectly
willing to pledge the presence of the four
officers and the l. men desired by the
committee, but these men are entitled to
return to their homes.
IL am not prepared to permit that.
said the senator. I'VE cannot say whom
we may want and they cannot 60.
We cannot care for them. then, re-
torted Mr.. Birmingham. "Whcn the Lap
land sails we shall cease to he responsible
for them, If the committee desires ~
herd them up. very well, but it cannot
expect the steamship company to care for
them. except to the extent of transporting
them back to their homes"
Senator Smith declined to recedo from
his position at That time. Tho committee
then adjourned until ten o'clock to-mor-
row morning. At a conference later the
decision to let all the men go except those
under subpoena was reached.
RELIEVED HER a LIFEBOAT.
The first day testimony brough, to the
front the apparent conclusion that the
greatest ship which was ever built, "a
ifeboat in itself according to the views
of modern shipbuidcrs. sank in mid-ocean
with more than 15oo human beings be-
cause she was being rushed across the
ocean almost to top speed. and crashed
into a field of icebergs after warnings had
been given to look out.
That so few were saved from v,ator,,
graves was because there were NOT
enough llebuats on board the fatetuI
Titanic Of the sea to accommodates the
passengers. There were only 70 lifeboats
because the Titanic was believed to be
rnsinkabe
This state of affairs appeared after
the committee had examined to-day j.
Bruce Ismay, managing director OF the
White Star line; Arthur Henry Rostran.
captain of the rescue ship Carpathia and
Second Officer Lghtholder of the Ii
tanic, who went down with the ship but
later was rescued, William Marconi. In
Nentor of tho wireless telegraph. Thomas
Gotham, the wicless operator of the IL
tanic. and several Survivors from the
snnhen steamship.
t1-niehts conference over the question
Of holding the crew here that Mr. Ismay
IVES very anxious to leave at once for
Europe, as he had been worn out by
his experiences and felt the need OF re-
turning quickly TO his English home for
a rest. His pleas. however, We're un.
awaiting.
MARCONI TAKES THE STAND.
Mr.. Marconi took the stand as soon as
the nearing was resumed for the after.
noon. He said he was the chairman OF
the British Marconi company.
Did you have one of your employees
OF the Carpathia?" asked Senator Smith
Yes. / met him only last night" said
Mr.. Marconi. II think his name is Croft
ton"
Has your company any specific in,
structons to give your operators in cases
of emergency?'
YES, they are the same as those Giver
by the International convention regulat
Ing wireless, known as the Berlin treaty
TO which The United States Is not part,
as yet Nh. Marconi said.
Under these instructions must thu
operator take his instructions from tn,
captain Of the ship" Senator smith asked
Yes.
Do the regulations prescribe whethe
one or two operators should be aboard tn
ocean vessels
Yes, on ships like the late Titanic an,
OLYMPIC two are carried" said Mr. Mar
conf. 1.-THE Carpathia. a smaller boat
carries one. The Carpathia wireless ap
paratus Is short distance equipment
Its average reach Is about 100 miles"
Does the distance depend upon tn
weather."
NIGHT RADIUS 1000 MILES
Yes somewhat, and great dea
also Deepen is on the skill of thu op
orator. The maximum efficiency of tn
Carpathia wireless / should say wa
200 miles. The wireless equipm INT OF
the Titanic was available 500 mil a
during the day time and 900 miles a
night"