Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-26

mony of Fifth Officer Lowe, who
told Ismay to get to h away
from here SO that we can work"
when the boats were being low
cred. This seaman declared that
Ismay after that was aiding the
women and children into the
boats.
Franklin Given GrueIing
Examination by Smith
The inquiry was resumed at 1915
am. with p. A. s. Franklin. vice
president Of the White Star line. as
the first witness. The delay in meet
ing was due to a conference between the
members Of the committee to extend their
plans for expediting the inquiry and re-
leasing as quickly as possible the officers
and men Of the Titanic who have been
held in this country subject to the call Of
the committee.
Senator Smith when Mr.. Franklin took
the stand read telegram from United
States Marshal Mertchie at Boston. The
marshal reported that In compliance with
orders from Washington he had served
subpoenas on the captain and the wire
less operator Of the Californian. but that
they were prevented from going to Wash
ington by oficials OF the White Star Line.
What do you know about this, Mr..
franklin" asked the senator.
Just this replied the witness. Be
tween $50 and o'clock last night re-
ceived a telephone message from our
Office in Boston announcing that the two
men had been summoned to Washington
and that this might seriously interfere
with the steamers sailing Saturday.
called up Senator Smiths office on the
telephone and finally got In touch with
him through his secretary. Senator
Smith replied that the men must come
Boston. / telephoned to Boston that the
men must come on and for them to take
the midnight train II possible and that
would urge upon the committee their ex-
animation as quickly as possible so that
SAIL
. The witness then was questioned as to
his connection with the International
Mercantile Marine, the Winter 6tarS Hne
and other transatlantic transportation
At tho request Of the committee. Mr..
Franklin produced the annual report of
the International Mercantile Marine for
lDlU, 8lVIu& tn6 NAMES VI inc OuClolS
Of the corporation. its capital. outstand-
ing Indebtedness and other official data.
Senator Smith asked the witness II In
exchanging messages with J. Bruce Is
may, head Of the White Star line. in
ward-bound on the Carpathis, he had
erence to the messages.
"Emphatically no." was the reply.
Nothing Of the sort was even attempt
ed. to the best Of my knowledge and be-
lief"
Cable Based on Rumor.
Mr.. Franklin said he sent no messages
to Mr.. Ismay after the disaster to any
ship or land station under his code sig
nature "Isiefrank.' Such messages as
he received by that address had been
given the committee, he added.
He reiterated In response to questions
that the first authentic information he
received of the disaster came from the
Olympic. He was first apprised Of the
tragedy by q newspaper reporter: he
added. who awakened him at his home at
O'Clock Monday morning.
At the request Of Senator Smith the
witness read the wireless kilograms ex-
changed between the White Star line
headquarters In New York and Capt
Haddock OF the liner Olympic Monday
concerning the wreck.
THE word from Capt. Haddock." said
the witness. was the very first word we
got. These messages also are all that
we exchanged"
q description of the disaster published in
the Anaconda, Mont. Standard, April Is.
He did SO. he said, to bring out the fact
that outside persons seemed to have had
more information than the ofhcials OF the
White Star line. Senator Smith then had
he xxifn which
be sent to the lines Liverpool ONCE, tell
ing Of the accident and declaring that the
yirginian was on the way to the IT,
tanic's assistance. The cablegram was
do you not think" asked the senator.
that II the information you cabled
abroad was worth reporting to Liverpool
1t certainly was important enough to give
TO the public?"
Mr.. Franklin said he based his report
entirely on a telephone communication
with the lines agent in Montreal and
on reports received by the Associated
Press and the newspapers.
Favors Change in Custom.
Mr. Franklin said he lost no time after
receiving telephone reports from Mon
treal in Informing Liverpool Of the ''ru-
mors." Senator Smith suggested he re-
ceived the information from Montreal at
go and did not sent dispatch until SIS.
II had to wait until 1 got to the ONCE
before 1 cabled." said Mr.. Franklin. 1T
was a matter Of expediency.'
Senator Smith inquired Of Mr.
Franklin what authority his company
had over wireless operators on their ships
II presume II any one was Objectionable
he could be removed"
do you approve Of the custom which
has been revealed by Binns. Gotham and
Bride receiving pecuniary reward for In
formation Of disasters?'
II think that Is rather unfortunate
Nevertheless. II is only human nature"
What kind Of human nature?" snapped
Senator Smith.
Mr.. Franklin expressed an opinion tina
II would be desirable II such . custom
could be eliminated.
Operator Gotham testified before the
committee in New York that he did no,
report a message to the captain OF thu
Carpathis because he did not consider
il important continued Senator
smith. 1.-The operator on the Titanic
refused to take q wafning Of the pres
ence Of ice from the steamship Call
fornian because he was busy with hi
accounts I ask you II there shouiS
not be some rules and regulations fol
governing Of operatorsr'
The witness said he did most EN-
phatically, and that the steamship com
panies were az anxious to set the bes
results for the Marconi apparatus.
mo doubt this investigation will brin
out some Regulation settling tn