Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-04-18
Secretary MacVeagh InvOkes
Power Of Custom House to
Break Silence Maintained
by Liner Bringing Survivors



is lodged in the secretary OF tho
treasury.
The task OF investigating the wreck
Of the Titanic was begun today by
senate committees. The commerce
committee appointed sub-commit-
toe of seven, headed by senator WILL
lam Alden smith OF Michigan, to take
testimon.f
Chairman smith will depart az once
for New York, accompanied by SEN
ate sergeant az arms Go procure Wit
ncsses 20 attend Immediate hearings.
j. Bruce Ismay VIII be among the
first asked TO testify.
other members OF the senate sub
committee are Senators Perkins.
Bourne. Burton, simmons. NewiandR
and Fletcher.
Senator smith said he feared his
committee would DO without lurisdic-
tion 10 compel Mr. ismay and other
I British subjects connected with the
international Mercantile Marine 90 at
tend its hearing and give testimony
I'VE may not have Jurisdiction over
the Individual" said Mir. smith, "but
tho American congress is not without
jurisdiction over the harbOrs OF the
United states II 10 for these men
who make use OF the harbors TO meet
the public demand for Information of
this terrible disaster and TO do Il
now"
senator smith ana several other
members OF his committee VIII pre-
sent this argument % Mr.. Ismny and
others In the hope that they viii be
willing TO accept subpoenas from the
sergeant az arms OF the senate who
win accompany them. Witnesses Will
] be asked to come 20 Washington at
once. according 20 present plans.
Immediately after his appointment
| Of the sub-committee Senator smith
went tx the wlht8 l4Qlise 10 conSer
\ with President TAFT. One object was
/ 10 ask the president to detail George
20 ask the president 20 detail George
company the committee 10 Nex York.
| ffe also desired TO request that secre-
tarv Nagei, who has jurisdiction over
Inspection Of vessels, go with the
committee.
/ senator CullOm announced he would
| cali a meeting OF the foreign relations
/ committee saturday 10 report out the
1 MARITIME resolution requesting the
j president to open negotiations for an
international agreement regarding the
safety of passeng2rs az sea.
Among those who viii be summoned
10 appear besides J. Bruce lsmay VIII
/ be the second. third. fourth and hfth
officers OF the Titanic who arr report
\ ga 20 have been saved, and any other
officers who may hove survived.
An important feature may be the
message transmitted through the IT,
/ 4 tho lag AZ Tho "a ~ "a
/ ltV. from the stenrer Amerika 90 the
/ photographic office OF the bnited
states navy giving nOtice % ieeoergs
In the Titanic's vicinity.
Naval officials are Of the opinion
! tina. one OF the icebergs reported BY
! the America through the Titanic was
tho cause OF the Titanic's wreck.
Those officers were amazed BY the re-
| ports that the Titanic was going ahead
1T fun speed IN Wow OF the known
presence Of danger.
A Joint Investigation OF the Titanic
catastrophe By committee repre-
aentine both houses Of congress IL
favored By Chairman Alexander Of the
house committee On merchant murinc.
The action Of tho sonate in authorl4-
ing an investigation BY IFS committec
on commerce. will DO followed BY .
suggcatlon from Chairman Alexander
40 the house COMMITTEES on rules that
Joint inquiry be proposed.
THE rules COMMITTEES lE nov Gonsid-
ering the resolution introduced by
Representative Mott OF New York pro-
ylding for an investigation by the
house
SIR. Alexander presented a Joint res
olutlon proposing an international
maritime conference to consider
uniform laws and regulations for the
greater security OF life and property
on merchant vessels az seh."
Included In tho subjects for the
conferences specified in the Alexander
resolution ara regulations for efficiency
Of crews. construction OF vessels,
equipment of life boats. wireless app
paratus, searchlighis. submarine oella
Ave saving aud FIRE extinguiahing app
pHrotus.
Tho restriction OF wireless telegraph
activity and regulations thar VIII pre-
vent interference hy amateurs IN times
Of emergency, were taken up BY the
house committee On merchant ma
rlpe. A report from q subcommittee
Witch has been framing biii. was
laid before tho foil committee at an
executive session.
The Alexander wireless icieGraphy
bin would restrict ihe operation Of au-
ateura and others 60 wave lengths not
cxccoding 200 meters Experimenters
cf others engaged in Important work
might receive special permits from
the secretary Of commerce and lanQi
90 operate under EreateF wsve lengths
The blli was fiv0fnhly acted upon
and reported hack 20 the house ana
the Alexander resolution for the err
iahlirhment of recognized traBs-AtlRn-
tlc travel routes by international
agreement was aiso layorably report
cd by the committee.
Manl a hnnk9 c.n rrl.nhla.