Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-23
GET TITANIC REPORT
Senate Committee Members
Discuss Smith Draft.
SOME CHANGES PROBABLE
Mr.. Ismay and Capt. Smith, It Is
Said, Will Be Censured.
TO CRITICISE LACK OF DRILLS
It Is Also Expected Speed Of Yes
sci Will Be Declared
Too Great.
SOME CHANGES PROBABLE
TO CRITICIsE LACK OF DRILLS

The Senate committee on commerce to-
day considered the report on the Titanic
disaster, which the committee will submit
to the Senate next Tuesday The report
will be a sweeping arraignment of the
conditions under which the great vessel
swept along through the iceberg area to
her doom, with the immense loss of life.
The report was framed largely by Sena-
tn William Alden Smith Of Michigan. the
chairman Of teh subcommittee that con-
Quoted the investigation. but during the
subcommittee discussion there were
some notifications Of the original draft
along the lines of more conservative de-
auctions.
There was a private conference Of the
subcommittee last night. The publicity
of some of the deductions from the evil
dence, in an analysis which members Oh
the committee stated was not at all Off.
cial, and which contained a number OF
points which so far have not been agreed
upon by either the full committee or the
subcommittee. including some conclusions
which will not be incorporated IN tne
official report, was brought UP at the full
committee session today. The committee
reached no final conclusions at this morn
ings session, and resumed the discussion
OF what it's report shall be at session
this afternoon.
Criticism Of Capt. Smith.
It is understood the report will Sc
verely criticise Capt. Smith Of the II
tanic. as mainly responsible for the
disaster, because Of failure to heed the
warnings of other vessels and for rail-
ure to know of the proximity OF ice
bergs, and will censure ]. Bruce Is
may for his course and will point TO
~ To- - n
danger Capt. Lord Of the Californian
will figure in the responsibility be-
cause Of failure to take necessary
steps when near the Titanic. whose
rocket signals OF distress were seen
aboard the Californian.
Legislation will be pressed as the re-
suit Of the conclusions announced In the
report A general bill is being drafted by
Senator Smith, which, along with other
measures already framed in the Senate
and the House, will be considered by the
commerce committee and reduced to con-
crete legislation to meet the lessons
drawn from the disaster.
Objection to Lack of Tests.
The report it Is believed, will criticise
the lack of drills and tests aboard the
Titanic the twenty -four and-one-half-
miles an hour speed at the time of the
accident, the failure of the steamship
company to provide the Titanic with
glasses for the lookouts and with
searchlights, the failure to give gen.
eral warning to the passengers after
the vessel had struck an iceberg with
an impact estimated at the combined
force Of the broadsides Of a score OF the
largest guns used by the navy; the
White Star Line Company for its
course as to giving out information on
the Monday of the disaster and prob
ably will hold up to .opprobrium the
anonymous author of the telegram
which was sent to Representative
Hughes of West Virginia, falsely stat
ing that the Titanic was proceeding
shoreward with the passengers safe.
With some modification. in view of the
excitement, it will criticise the indiffer-
ence Of some OF those aboard the lifeboats
toward those struggling In the water, In
ed to testify, that the lifeboats which could
have taken care OF !, 176 people only car
ried 7O4. The report is expected to advo-
cate legislation to require more lifeboats
wireless apparatus and other equipment
The warnings given the Titanic by the
Baltic, the America and the Californian
probably will figure in the evidence on
which the committees report will place
considerable stress.
Carpathia's Action Praised.
A bright CLEAN amid the mass of un.
fortunate circumstances surrounding the
affair is the conduct of the Carpathia' s
commander and those aboard that vessel
which speedily went to the rescue. which
undoubtedly will be warmly praised by
the committee.
1t Is certain that the committee will
urge definite international understanding
looking to greater safety at sea. Two
set speeches on the disaster will follow
the presentation of the report next Tues
day. Senator Smith will make q speech
on the subject and Senator Rayner OF
Maryland will discuss THE lessons
taught Congress and the people by the
Titanic disaster"