Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-25
TROUBLE At THE
INVESTIGATION.
Split Reported Over Question of
Realeasing Some Of Titanic's
Crew.
PROTESTS OF THE OFFICIALS
Beliigerency of Officers and Crews of
Hl-Fated Steamer-Crowd al Hear
ing Diminishes.

Washington, April 25.-Bickerine
and trouble, which has brewed fol
several days in the Senate's Titanic
inquiry, reached breaking point to-
day. A three-cornered fight threat,
ening serious proportions, developed
when the committee resumed its hear
ings.
A breach between Senator William
Alden Smith and his colleagues was
insistently rumored. They are report
ed .""split" over the question Of reieas-
ing some of the Titanic's crew from
further detention in Washington. To
this trouble is added the protestations
OF J. Bruce Ismay, managing director,
and Vice President r. A. S. Franklin
of the White Star Line against re-
naming here longer.
Another cocklebur Of trouble for
Senator Smith in his probe was grow
ing belligerency of the Titanics Of
ticers and crews on the witness stand.
When the committee convened today
the air was surcharged with trouble
Ismay again demanded to be heard
and allowed to return to England.
Franklin also asked to return to New
York having completed his testimony
Monday, if only for few days. SEN
ator Smith and other members of the
committee are divided over the queS-
tion. Smith wishes to keep all OF the
White Star officers and the Titanic
employees here until every one OF the
forty principal witnesses conclude.
Senator Smith was defeated in his
test of strength to hold Quartermas-
Ter Robert Hichens. The committee
oyerru]ed Smith and released Hich-
ems, allowing him to return to Eng
land.
Another quarrel is promised with
the Narsoni Wireless Telegraphy Co..
lined up against chairman Smith. ms
fuss is threatened over the detention
here of Wireless Operator Harold
Cottan, of the steamer Carpathia. The
Narconi company has empathetieally
protested against holding Cottam
here. The operator was assigned to
the Cunad liner Mauretania, but was
hold here and was unable to sail with
the Cunarder.
Clashes between chairman Smith
and the British sailors today resulted
in increased tension during the hear
ing. The Britons, plcgematic and stol-
id, sharply resent questions Of Sen
ator Smith which they considered pur
poscless. They complained today ov-
er the mass of alleged petty, trivial
onestions with which they have been
nlied, lengthening the hearing consid-
erably.
Senator Smith is also having troub-
10 over OBTAINING the Titanic's officers
who have already testified. They con
slider they are being imposed upon by
b.inp here after completing hours OF
testimony. Some of the officers have
testified twice, all in minute details.
They are chafing under the commit
tees rule ordearing them to remain
bero indefinitely. All are anxious to
return to England and seek new po-
sit;ons. Their salaries stopped with
the sinking of the Titanic. They now
receive only So day each as govern
ment witnesses and say it costs more
than that to live here. They TOOK
cheaper quarters yesterday. Inc bri'
one are also anxious to see their wives
and families after their thrilling es-
cape from death.
Another bunch of trouble for Chair-
man Smith is complaints Of his col
leagues that he is monopollzinS tie
hearing. Some of the Senators re-
sent his program of hunning the hear
ings. asking practically all of the ques
tions, Senator Burton, of Ohio IS
'bucking over the traces" breaking
into the quizzing, asking his own
questions and then leaves the room.
Senator Bourne, of Oregon, has also
indicated restiveness by breaking in
to Smoth's cross-eXaminations. Other
Senators now attend the hearings
only brief time during the sess.
ions.
AS slave upon the troubled waite,
of the committee, Senator Smith to.