Evening journal., 1912-04-22
DIDN'T GIVE
OUT TITANIC
WAS In TOW
Mr.. Franklin Says ReaSSur-
ing Words Might Have
Been Hoax
ASKS THAT CREW
BE ALLOWED TO GO
BY The United Press.

BY The United Press
WASHINGTON, April 22.--Admit-
ting that perhaps some one at the
White Star offices had given out the
cruel hoax on Monday last that the
Titanic's passengers we're all safe,
Vice President Franklin. of the line,
today disavowed responsibility for the
said report
Asked pointblank whether he or any
OF the other officers had sent the tele-
nram TO Representative Hughes Of
West Virginia that the Titanic was
proceeding TO Halifax and 'all were
saved" on Monday afternoon-at a
time hours after fifteen hundred lives
had been swallowed up by the icy
waters off Cape Race, Franklin de-
clared they had not.
I'VE have a big lot Of employees in
our office. II might have been that
some one Of the juniors who were
answering phones might have given
out that information. But certainly
none OF the officers did IT, Il is pos
sible that such a telegram was sent
from our office, but / did not know
anything about II. II was unauthor-
lied. We would like to have you ask
Liverpool about it,
Resuming his testimony about wire
less messages he had received from
managing Director Ismay requesting
that the steamship Cedric be detained
to take Ismay and the Titanic's crew
back to Europe without them landing
at New York, MIR. Franklin read his
replv saving IL was inadvisable 10 de-
Z ~ Id l., cleo r0oH n mas
sage from lsmay asking him to meet
him at Quarantine in New YORK. AT
4.45 p. M, April is. Franklin said he
sent a message to lsmay urgently ap-
pealing for an authentic story OF the
disaster.
Senator Smiths questioning brought
out the admission from Franklin that
Ismay had never before used the sig
nature "Yamsi." in sending messages.
1T was an address, not a signature "
he said. 1T was his code word abroad,
and was never used in this country, /
understand
I'VE thought it would be a very un-
fortunate thing to hold the Cedric. We
knew what was being said and we
knew how the removal OF the crew OF
the Titanic would be construed,
/
Franklin continued.
Franklin said he had not told lsmay
that the senate investigation was or
dered. until he saw the managing di-
rector on the Carpathia.
"I do not see how you can blanc
anybody for the wreck" he added
I'VE had the best commanders, the shil
was constructed as only three othe
ships are-with a view to making he
as near unsinkable as possible"
Franklin said he had no direc
knowledge of life saving devices O
the Titanic and that such matter
did not come within his jurisdiction
He denied, however, that the compan
had tried to economize on lifeboats
Was this ship equipped wit
searchlight?" asked Senator Smith
Il do not think so.' replied Frank
lin. 'I never heard of transatlantic
liner that was"
Franklin urgently asked the com
mittee to hear the Titanic's crew i'm
mediately He said it was their dut.
to get through with them and le
them go home.
AS far as Mr.. Ismay and l ar
concerned, We are at your disposal
but the seamen ought not to be de
tanned a minute longer than neces
sary." he declared
Has there been an attemept OF
your part or any of your officers {,
spirit away any of the obcers OF
crew." asked Senator Smith.
ITO the best OF my knowledge an,
belief, no." said Franklin
The worst these sailors could sa'
wouldn't remedy the matter as far al
I am concerned, I wouldn't care fl
for what the members of the crew
will say. The passengers are mucl
more creditable and reliable"
Franklin said the sailors could shil
aboard White Star vessels again
they applied for employment
The witness asserted that tn,
American offices of the White Sta
heard nothing direct from the Titani
since she left Southampton.
Franklin repudiated the reassurinl
telegram sent to Representativ
/ Hughes, though admitting some "jun
ior" in the White Star Office Nigh
have sent H.
Senator Smith asked Franklin II tn,
regulations for lifeboats we're observ
ed on the Titanic.
I'VE observed every rule Of tn
British Board of Trade" said Frank
lin. He did not know Just wha
those regulations we're.
Franklin said any recommendation
for investments in new boats woul
be made by Ismay.
The witness denied any attempt ha
been made to have the Titanic max
Y a record on her first trip.
I Nobody for one moment ever be
: lieved an accident of this kind coul
n happen" he continued. I'VE neve
S thought that the ship could go dowr
). We considered the Titanic a tremer
b dous lifeboat in itself-unsinkable
n Chairman Smith said Fourth Office
]. d. Boxhall. Of the Titanic woul
r be called this afternoon after the re
}. cess.