Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-25
CRIBS FOR HELP LONG MOAN
Third Officer Begs to Be Spared
Recital of Facts-Rescinded
Order to Pick Up peo-
pie in Water.

titanic WAS one tontTIDutlTE cause vi Nl'u
ship. loss and. with it. the loss of more
shan leo lives.
Two witnesses before the Senate in
restigating committee to-day agreed on
this. They were Frederick Fleet, n look
out on the liner and Major Arthur God
frey Peuchen. Canadian manufacturer
and yachtsman. who was among tho
rescued passengers.
Fleet acknowledged that if he had been
aided In his observations by a good glass
he probably could have sped the berg
into which the ship crashed In time to
have warned the bridge to avoid 1t.
Major Peuchen also testified to the much
greater sweep of vision afforded by blno-
culars and, as yachtsman. said he be-
lieved the presence of the iceberg might
have been detected in time 10 escape the
collision had the lookout men been so
equipped.
1t was made to appear that the blame
for being without glasses did not rest
with the lookout men. Sleet said they
had asked for them at Southampton and
were told there were none for them. One
glass, in a pinch, would serve in the
crows nest.
CRITCISES LACK OF SAILORS.
Major Peuchen criticised in strong
terms the lack of experienced sailors on
board the Titanic, lie said that when
the call to quarters was sounded not
enough of the crew responded to under
take the work required In lowering and
filling the boats. Furthermore, he said,
no drills had been held from the time the
ship left Southampton. although it was
customary to hold such drills every Sun
day.
Herbert ], Pitman, third officer of the
Titanic, told of his failure u turn back
the lifeboat, in which he and his passen-
gers were idly drifting, to attempt the
rescue of others when the Titanic went
down.
said the cries for help made lone
long. continuous moan" The pas
sengers insisted that to 60 back ia
aid would mean their destruction. he
said so that after starting in the d.
rection of the cries he rescinded his
orders and waited for the dawn
Twice he begged TO he spared a recital
Of the facts, but Senator Smith pressed
him.
The opportunities and activities of
squad Of photographers to-day 50
aroused Senator Smith that he indig-
nantly ordered them all excluded from
the chamber.
ISMAY KEPT IN WASHINGTON.
This inquiry is official and solemn.
he said In explanation. and there will
be no hippodroming or ccmmerciallz-
Ing Of IT,"
m nt n,,N ,.l@
10 slip past the guard later but was
summary elected when he sought to
get snap of the scene.
d. Bruce 1smay, managing director of
the International Mercantile Marine, and
Nlce-President p. A. 8. Franklin of the
White Star line urgently requested the
committee to permit them to return to
New York.
In executive session at the close of the
nearing the committee declined to allow
either to leave Washington until he is no
longer needed Mr.. Ismay may be recalled
to the witness chair Tomorrow though
that has not been determined.
1t was decided also TO call no more mas.
senger witnesses until the British wiz.
nesses had been heard. The cor,nItten
also decided to delay other important
business before /: until the Titanic in,
ou!ry had proceeded farther.
PUBLIC Is EXCLUDED.
When the investigation was re.um.a
"s 1915 o'clock n was announced that =
3. Boxnall. fourth officer OF tho T,t.r.r
was III and could not be heard furtho-
at this time. H. J. Pitman, the third NJ.
fcer of the ship. was then callee 20 the
stand.
Owing to the great confusion caused nv
the rush CT the crowds to the hearing ana
the constant interruptions during the in
terrogation OF witnesses. the Senate com.
nittse determined to-day 10 exclude the
general public. To accomplish this the
hearing was transferred to smaller
room In the Senate office building Only
witnesses. those particularly Interested in
the inquiry and members Of the press
'+ere admitted to the room.
The change caused disappointment 20
thousands, most OF them women, who
crowded the corridors leading to the eau
Gus room as carly as $50 o'clock. The
crowds then lined tho Railways leading to
tho new room and the police had diff
Guilty IN keeping n passage to the door.
Major Arthur Peuchen Of Toronto, the
ouTNIfWt NuO WIS OTueTcu INTO one or
she Nfeboats to handle an oar by Second
O'scer IAghtollor. was In the committee
room. J. Bruce Ismay and the White
star limo officials arrived carly.
Senator Smith announced that Boxhall
suddenly had been taken in. Third ON
Ger PitInan took the stand and told In
detail his experience of II years on the
Yeas.
Were you present during the trial
tests OF the Titanic?" he was asked.
NO TRIALS FOR SPEED
Yes. ! was on the bridge most OF the
time" The witness said the tests con-
sisted of steaming in circles and in per-
corning other cvolutions and in adjust
Ing compasses
Were there cny trials for spsed?" no
was asked.
NO sir. I believe they have no such
tests on the White Star line"
Tell the committee the circumstances
OF the departure from Southampton.
Two left Southampton at 1918 p. m.
Wednesday. April H. Nothing exciting
happened except breaking the moorings
of the New York caused by the back
wash from our starboard propeller We