The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-05-02
FRANKLIN Denies
HE Sent MESSAGE
American Representative of the
Company Impotent to Control
After Vessels Have Sailed
From Port-Great Crush of
People at Hearing.
WASHINGTON. ID. g. Snec;al-

UAOHlNOlON, ID. u, special
Il. a. ). Franklin, second vice
president of the International
Mercantile Marine. syHOre on the
stand before the Senate commit
tee investigating the Titanic dis
aster that neither no nor
White Star line had sent a mes
sage last Monday 10 Congressman
Hughes at Huntington, w. Va,
stating that all the Titanic's pas
Sengers had been saved and that
the vessel was being tOwed into
Halifax.
His testimony was highly in
teresting, I'm view OF the fact that
Senator Smith, chairman OF the
committee, has iO his possession
telegram TO that effect signed
white Star Line, New York"
WASHINGTON, ID. c. Special
The members - the Senate subcom-
mittee investigating the Titanic dis
aster, which includes Senators Smith,
of Michigan, chairman, and Perkins,
California; Bourne, Oregon; Burton,
Ohio; Reed, Missouri; Newlands, Ne
Vada; Fletcher, Florida. and Simmons.
North Carolina, took their seats in
the big caucus room in the Capitol
promptly az 1890 o'clock Monday
morning, but it was half an hour later
before the proceedings began.
Shortly after the members of the
committee arrived j. Bruce lSmay and
his associates of the White Star Line
came in and took seats at the table
opposite the committee.
Mr.. 1smay nervously amused him.
self by drawing the White Star Line
pennant on a tablet of paper which
lay on the table before him. Accom-
panying the managing director were
p. A. Franklin. Third Officer Pitt
man. Fourth officer Lowe and c. c.
Burlingame, chief counsel for the
White Star Line.
They held whispered conferences
while waiting for the hearing TO start
In opening the hearing Senator
Smith made an announcement, in
which he said that the inquiry was
being conducted in obedience to the
direction Of the Senate, and that the
committee was not considering the
convenience of visitors.
He warned them that they were
there by the courtesy of the commit
tee, and that the proceedings were
not for entertainment.
No expressions Of any kind. he said,
would be permitted. and he asked
courtesy and consideration for the
witnesses. Any violation of this in
junction, he insisted. would result in
forcing the committee to take steps
TO exclude the public from the hear
ing.
Before the first witness was called
the already overcrowded room was
augmented by hundreds. while at the
entrances policemen kept pushing the
insistent crowds away from the doors.
ErankJtp First Called.
The first witness called was p. A.
5. Franklin. second vice president of
the White Star line. He was exam
ined by Senator Smith.
In response to questions Franklin
said that the White Star line. Of which
he is the American vice president, is
controlled by the international Mer-
camille Marine. This concern, he tes-
tilted. controls the American line. Red
Star line, United Transport line and
the White Star line, of which the I'll
tanic was the greatest ship. He told
the committee that the International
Mercantile Marine Company is capt.
talized at $10O.000.o00. preferred and
common stock.
Who are the directors OF the White
Star liner"
&C. A. Griscom. chairman; e. C.
Granfill. John S. Waterbury. Right
Hon. Leandar Berry. George w. Per-
kins. Charles Steel. ]. Bruce Ismay.
Percy Chubb. e. c. Berwyn, II. A.
Sanderson, p. a. B. Widener."
Franklin claimed the sole RESPONSE
bility Of the White Star lines affairs
In America. and said no one shares
with him the direction of the line
from this side.
''Win you state what jurisdiction or
authority you have over the move
your company" Senator Smith asked.
I'VE have no jurisdiction over the
movement of the ships of our COM
pany after they have left any port in
the United States or Canada" Frank
lin replied.
He then said he had been with the
international Mercantile Marine since
1892, and first was in charge OF the
transport line of the company.
discrimination at this point
turned directly to the last voyage of
the great iron sea hotel.
Knew Smith Well.
Q. Did you know Captain Smith. of
the Titanic?
A. have known him ever since I
became connected with the company.
and before that perhaps, when
made occasional voyages across the
Atlantic.
@. What ships were commanded by
him?
A. The Majestic. Olympic, Adriatic
and Titanic. think. too, the Baltic.
but l am not sure about that.
The witness said he had last seen
Captain Smith in February. So far
as witness knew, Smith had not COM
municated with the office in New
York since he left Belfast on the I'll
tanic. There were several MESSAGES
from the company's agent in South
ampton when the Titanic reached
there from Belfast, but so far as he
knew no one in New York heard from
Captain Smith after the Titanic start
ed acress.
Q. Did you hear anything from Mr..
Ismay after the Titanic sailed from
Southampton.
A. 1 sent him only a bon voyage
message, while the ship was between
Southampton and Queenstown. That
was sent by cable. His answer was
merely one of thanks. The only other
message from the Titanic was one on
Sunday morning from Cape Race, say
ing she was $50 miles south OF that
point. That was nearly q regular
position" report.
Denies Its Authenticity.
Senator Smith: j read you the fol-
lowing message: