The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-22
message he received from j. Bruce
Ismay's Appeal for clothe.

sHtitoJ
lsmay's Appeal for Clothes.
Most desirable Titanic crew
aboard Carpathia be returned home
early possible. Propose hold Cedric
until they can board. propose re-
turn with them. Please send clothes.
including shoes.
(Signed) "'YAMSl,
"Yamsi is code for Ismay isn't it?'
asked Smith
Yes SIR answered Franklin. Il
sent the following reply
Have arranged to forward crew
on Lapiand which sails Saturday. We
all consider it most unwise to delay
Cedric considering circumstances
lsmay replied as follows:
Unless important, arrange for
crew to sail on Cedric. Most unde-
sirable to keep the crew in New ork
SO long.
(Signed) "YAMSI."
| Franklin read his reply saying it
| was inadvisable to delay the Cedric.
He also read message from lsmay
asking him to meet him at quarantine
| in New York. At 4:45 p. M, April Is,
Franklin said he sent message to
Ismay urgently appealing for an auth
entic story of the disaster.
! Senator Smiths questioning brought
out the admission from Franklin that
Ismay had never before used the sig
nature "Yamsi' in sending messages.
! 1T was his code word abroad and
was never used in this country, un
derstand."
I'VE thought 1t would be an unfortu-
nate thing to hold the Cedric. We
knew what was being said and we
know how the removal Of the crew OF
the Titanic would be construed.
Franklin continued.
Franklin said he had not told Ismay
that the senate investigation was or.
ish board OF trade said Franklin.
Thought 1t unsuitable.
dered until he saw Ismay on the Car
pathia.
Senator Perkins of California, asked
Franklin if the regulations for life
boats were observed on the Titanic.
I'VE observed every rule of the Brit
Nobody for one moment ever be.
lieved an accident of this kind could
happen he continued We never
thought the ship could go down. We
considered the Titanic tremendous
lifeboat in itself-unsinkable.'
L DO not see how you can blame
any body for the wreck he added.
I'VE had the best commander the ship
was constructed as only three other
ships are-with a view to making her
as near unsuitable as possible"
| Franklin said he had no knowledge
of life saving devices on the Titanic.
| He denied, however, that the company
had tried to economic on life boats.
/ Was this ship equipped with a
| search lighht?" asked Senator Smith
| Il do not think 30, replied Franklin
Il never heard OF transatlantic
liner that was
Franklin urgently asked the commit
| tee TO hear the Titanic's crew immed
| lately. He said that it was their duty
to get through with them and let
| them go home.
AS far as Mr. lsmay and | are con
| cerned, we are at your disposal but
the seamen ought not to be delayed
a minute longer than necessary he
declared
Has there been any attempt on
your part or any of your officers to
! spirit away any of the officers or
crew." asked Senator Smith.
ITO the best of my knowledge and
| belief, No, said Franklin.
When pressed for his reasons for
wanting to get the members of the
Franklin said: These men are very
difficult to control People are con-
stantly running after them, giving
! them presents to make them talk.
They get into endless trouble and can.
not be controlled as the ordinary sea
man who is forced to report to the
officers on board the slip to which he
| belongs. We wanted to get them out
of these temptations and send them
where they can sign on another ship
and go to sea again
Technically speaking, these men
ceased to be In our employ when the
ship went down. but we will take care
Of them.
THE worst these sailors could say
wouldn't remedy the matter as far as
il am concerned. | wouldn't care fig
for what the members of the crew
will say The passengers are much
more credible and reliable