The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-05-23
Committee Report Scathing-
~ Denounces 1smay and
White Star Line
Officials
INCOMPETENCE IN
LINES MANAGEMENT
Findings VIII be Given to
the Senate Tuesday
Direct Responsibility
Laid at Door OF
Capt. Smith

WASHINGTON. May GA seath-
ing arraignnlent of j, Bruce ismay. and
the White Star line officials in New
York, o stern denunciation OF many
members of the pick up crew of the
Titanic crew. and sweeping charges q
INCOMPETENCE In tile management OF
the line. Will be mace In the report
of the special subcommittee. appointed
to Investigate the Titanic disaster. by
the United states senate, VIII be given
to the senate Tuesday morning. the
report will be submitted by Chairman
William Alden Smith. OF Michigan who
has labored almost incessantiy since
the afternoon he was despatched 10
New York TO meet the Carpathia. ana
begin gathering facts flrst-hand.
From the instant Of his arrival at the
dock. up 10 the competition OF the re-
port. and the speech he la to make on
st. Senator Smith has worked uninter.
mittingiy and effectively. He examined
every witness here and New York ex-
hanstiveiy. He made many trips to
New York TO find and examine new
witnesses. and he got the facts.
Startling indictments.
Taken together. as rhey will be pre-
serted in the report they constitute
the most startling indictment of a great
has ever been found by investigating
body appointed by the senate.
Senator Smith has completed his
speech which he will deliver with the
submission Of the REPORT. and in wnich
he VIII make an earnest plea for the
enactment OF legislation which VIII
make such another horror as that OF
the Titanicviuspeasibia.
The report spares neither j. Bruce
Isinay. nor his subordinates in New
York, whose juggling with the truth
after rece, ing from Montreal inforina
tton. that the Titanic had sunk. is say
ageiy criticised. Emphasis is laid on
the cruelty Of sending out such a des-
Patch as that received by Representa-
tive Hughes of West Virginia, whose
daughter was on the Titanic with her
husband, and who WIS todd ia tele'
gram. signed White Star Line. that the
Titanic was being towed into Mon
treai.
Captain Smith Responsible.
Direct responsibility ror the accident
Is laid on Captain Smith. and it Is
pointed out that had he needed the
warnings Of ice sent him by the Amer
ika and other vessels. the lives Of the
1851 victims world have been saved.
Pointing out that the speed of the
Titantic just before she struck the
iceberg was twenty-four and one
half miles. and that Ii had been stsad-
lily increased after receiging Ice warn
Ing by telegraph. the report asserts
that the presence on board of Ismav.
the managing director of the line, and
Andrews the constructor for Harlan
e. Wolf. the constructors WIS mr.
douhtediy an incentive to making this
great speed.
1t is stated that President Ismav.
who got away safely. was advise |
Immediately Of the danger. while
many of the passengers were not--the
impact although equal In momentum
10 the impact of the combined broad
sides of twenty great hattleships be
ing scarcely felt on the vessel. such
was her giant size. and tremendous
stability
7.s:s - Picket y tsre~ Ess-ftunscd.
The report recites that the pickup
crew with which the White Star line
manned The vessel. were unacquaint-
ed with each other. and their duties.
There was the utmost confusion when
the vessel struck.
Much space is devoted to. a brio.
and effective recital OF the incidents
on the vessel after the iceberg had
slid along her side. leaving grea.
gaping hole In the starboard bilEe
| through which water was pouring NJ