Evening journal., 1912-04-25
EXONERATE
MARCONI
Committee Does Not Believe
His Motive in Sale Of
Titanic StOry Unworthy
GAVE NO INSTRUCTION
TO WITHHOLD STORY
BY Nc United Press.

BY The United Press. -
WASHINGTON, d c., April 2o'-
Continuing his testimony before me
Senate Investigating Committee tnls
afternoon Marconi said he was tele-
phoned nv Operator Cottam, ol lhe
Carnathia al New York THURSDAY
evening. asking permission to give
atorv of the disaster. He said per
mission was given. ,., 49,,
OF IS an offense under British laws
for an operator 10 give out news
said Marconi. "Cottam used MS uls-
cretion in refusing 10 give out a story
while ON tho Carpathia In New lork
about 2 a m. Friday. Cottam SAID ne
would get something for a story.
4 told him he could give IL Il ne
wished"
Marconi denied sending a message
IA Onerators Bride and Cottam say
ing keep your mouths shut
Senator Smith then read the follow
inc wireless from the captain OF me
IL S. S. Florida to the Navy Depart
ment:
"The following radiOgrams we're IN
tercepted by Wireless Operator Slmp-
son and appear significant enough 10
be brought to the attention OF the
department.
'Seagate to Carpathia, S.12 p. m,
April 10: "Say old man the Marconi
Company is taking good care OF you
It's fixed for us so you will get big
money. Now please do your best TO
clear.
Seagate to Carpathia and Titanic
operators. $50 D. m, April ~ AT
ranged for your exclusive story Tor
dollars in four figures Marconi agree
ing Say nothing until you see me.
(signed) j. NJ Sammis Operator G..
Seagate to Carpathia operator, 3
p. m, April 49, Go to Strand Hotel
SAG West 14th Keep your mouth smut
(Signed) "MARCONI.'
"AlI the above messages were sent
by the commander of the Florida 10
the Secretary of the Navy" said SEN
ator smith. What can you say about
that. Mr Marconi?'
"I don't know anything about that
told Mr.. Sammis that as an Off
cial Of the British Company | would
not prevent operators from making
what they could out Of the informa-
tion they had. II is not custom
of our company. but it was done in
the case of a former wreck-the wreck
of the Republic Jack Binns was per-
mitted to give his statement for pay.
DO YOU mean?" asked Smith, that
an operator under your company
direction shall have the right to pre-
vent the public from knowing of the
greatest sea horror in the worlds MS
tory. except through the exclusive ap-
propriation of the facts by the opera
Tor who is cognizant of them2'
sNot at all / gave no instructions
IN regard to Withholding information
did authorize him, if offered pay
ment, to accept il.
IF the mouth of this operator wa
10 be closed so the details OF that dis
aster could not be printed, might no
the British public be deprived of prac
tically all the facts concerning the
sinking of the Titanic?"
You are assuming that ! attempt
ed to obstruct the messages, sale
Msrconi.
Il did not"
"All of the information received by
the Carpathia's operator from the op'
orator of the Titanic was official in
formation" said Senator Smith. THAT
information you consented for youl
operator to give out did you not?'
NO. did not. Bride had been sec
ond operator on the Titanic. He was
not compelled by any law or reggla
ton TO withhold anything regarding
his experience He had as much righ
10 tell of his rescue as any of he
other survivors. ! did not see Cottan
that night. I gave him no inst-nc
tions az to what he should, or should
not say. I emphatically deny that
gave him any authority to give Oh
anything he should not
Chairman Smith thanked Maroon
for his sweeping denial, insisting ths
he did not wish the public or the wit
ness to think that the committee sus
pected him of any unworthy motive
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