Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-22
WITHHELD
DISASTER REPORTS
WHITE STAR OFFICIAL ADMITS
lseuslNo sTArMENrs WHICH
WERE NOT VERIFIED.
HAD MEssAaEs HELD TO
PREVENT UNNECESSARY ALARM
vios President Of Line First Witness at
Days session Of Senatorial Invssti.
s.tins COMMITTEES - Statement Of
Company Based on Rumors and Pri-
vats Messages From Cape Race.

Washington, April 22.-Hours before
the resumption Of the senate inquiry
into the Titanic disaster, great crowds
swarmed to the senate office building
and made rush for the crystal lighted
caucus room Hundreds of them were
women, and as in the Titanic disaster
II was "women first" who were ad-
mitted to the hearing. Capitol police
took charge Of the arrangements and
by 10 O'Clock there were no available
seats and standing room was ex-
hausted. Even senators and repre-
sentatives who sought to get places OF
vantage for members Of their famlhes
were unable to do So
william Alden Smith. chairman OF
the sub committe, reached the senate
Office building late and went into con-
ference with Senators Newlands, Per
kins, Simmons and Fletcher.
! Bruce Ismay arrived with p A. >.
Eranklin and had difficulty getting IN.
He identified himself to police ofh-
Ger and was ushered into the seats re-
served for witnesses.
Bv the time the senators were ready
to proceed there was great confusion IN
the room. Many Of the crowd turned
and went to other rooms IN the SEN
ate office building and climbed out on
the balconies. Then when the great
French windows Of the hearing room
we're opened they climbed to the rail-
inss to look over the heads OF the
crowd within.
After Senator Smith had cautioned
the crowd against demonstration, j. $.
Boxhall. third officer Of the Titanic
ana ono OF the four officers to sur
yiye he disaster. was called as the
4 S. E,ankljn Called TO Stand.
sssxvha., Roxhall entered the room SEN
ator smith asked him to step aside and
called p. x. b. Franklin. vice presi-
aant of the International Mercantile
Marine Company. He began to ques-
tior Mr.. Franklin as TO the companies
comprising the corporation, its con-
nections and It's capitalization.
There had been long delay before
tba Arst witness took the stand. Mr.
1snay seated at the end OF the long
table chatted intermittently with j. r.
Kierlein one of the officials OF the
White star line. He drew upon sheet
of paper he had taken from the press
table. The sketch Was always the Wnite
Star flag such as the flag which was
f1own at the peak of the Titanic when
1t sailed to its doom.
Withheld Reports Of Disaster.
yica President p. A. S. Franklin OF
the international Mercantile Marine
comnany. told the senate investigat-
Inv mrnittee today how he had asked
to have the earlier reports of the IT,
+anic disaster held up to avoid unnec-
esxary alarm.
He denied any knowledge of the
message addressed to Representative
Hughes. OF West Virginia. about the
shin.s being towed to Halifax. and
gave other details. Senator William
Alden smith, Of Michigan. presided.
After denying that officials of the
White Star line had any knowledge OF
the misleading telegram to Mr.. Hughes
II was acknowledged by Mr.. Franklin
that he had issued reassuring state
ments when he had no facts on which
to base them.
.rhe witness read from a great sheet
,of wireless kilograms received Monday
morning. None Of them contained any
information Of value but it was on this
date that the line issued its statement
in an effort, said Mr.. Franklin. to re-
assure inquirers. Later when the news
came. he said, he sent Immediately for
the repoEters and proceeded to begin
reading to them the large Marconi-
gram from the Carpathia giving the
grewsome news in considerable de-
tails.
Reporters Not Waiting for Details.
81 beganfto read Titanic went down
this morning at 1920 and then looked
,ip.n said Mr.. Franklin. 'There wasn't
reporter in the room. They were all
racing for phones to get the news out
to the; world.
The Sreassuring statements sent out
~ the line In tho early hours Of the
disaster next were made the subject
OF inquiry.
.TeIl the committee on what you
based these statements" directed Sen
ator Smith.
1--WE based them on reports and ru-
mors received at Cape Race by indi-
yiduals and by newspapers. They were
rumors and we could not place our
finger on anything authentic"
&" t1dd you Hed1u ifoHi thS Sai pa WAC
at that timer"
..ssSo. sir"
M. Franklin declared that the
Olympic was sent this message:
q =. .sFdaddock, Olympic: Rumored here
Titanic sunk Can not confirm here.
Expect virginian alongside. Fanklin.'
"Ate:lO p. m. we wired Haddock to
eildeAvor by all means to ascertain the
whereabouts Of Mr.. Ismay and to ad-
Vie iis asgsoon as possible" /" continued
nlr. Franllin.
!.-ssVve followed this dispatch with an
other 10. Haddock IN which we urged
asDo your utmost to ascertain condi-
sins.. zns d>itanic. Advise us fully dis
poGitlpn Titanic's passengers ana where
they Will be landed.
q AZ SO or 6: 80 Monday evening"
II. 1Sankljn continued. = message