The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-05-28
Senator Smith, Chairman of Senate Investigating Com
mittee Presents Report and Makes Startling Charg-
in Placing Responsibility for Greatest Ma
rne Tragedy in Worlds History.
CAPTAIN SMITH BOTH PRAISED AhD BLAMED
Trade Board Scored for Laxy of Inspection of the Gil
gantic Craft.-Unless Foreign Inspection Regula
tons Are Revised the Report Advises Term
ination by U. S. of Reciprocal Acts

en- easy victims to the advancing lee
floe, nearly thirty miles in width and
rising 100 feet above the surface OF
the water. Their danger would have
been as great as IL they had remain
ed on the deck of the broken hull. and
if the sea had risen these toy targets
with over seven hundred exhausted
people would have been helplessly
tossed about upon the waves without
food or water.
Discipline was Poor.
The lifeboats were filled so tndif-
ferentiy and lowered 10 quickly that.
according to uncontradicted evidence.
nearly 500 people were needlessly
sacrificed to want of orderly discipline
In loading the few that were provided.
There We're 1924 passengers on
the ship. The hfeboats would have
easily cared for 1.176 and only con-
tanned 704. twelve Of whom were TAX
en- into the boats from the water while
the weather conditions were favorable
and the sea perfectly calm.
And yet IL is said by some wen
meaning persons that the best of dis
cipline, prevailed. II this is discipline,
what would have been disorder?"
Legislation Demanded.
The chairman finds that this acci-
additional legislation to secure safety
of life at sea. and declares that unless
there is early revision of inspection
laws OF foreign countries. providing for
sufficient life boats, proper drilling of
crews. arrangements for sssignments
OF passengers and crews to lifeboats
before sailing, and that every steam
ship carrying 100 or more passengers
shall have two electric searchIghts
and wireless teiegraphers on duty
throughout the twenty-four hours day.
that reciprocal arrangements between
the United States and other countries
be terminated. The report says:
by statute the United States ac-
cepts reciprocally the inspection certi-
fcates of foreign countries having in
spection laws approximating those Of
the United States. Unless there is ear
ly revision of inspection laws Of for
eign countries along the lines laid
down hereinafter the committee deems
il proper that such reciprocal arrange
ments be terminated: and that no yes
sells be licensed to carry passengers
from ports Of the United States until
regulations and requirements OF the
laws of the United States have been,
fully complied with
Need Of lfeboats.
| "The committee recommends that
section 44s1 and 44ss. revised statutes.
be so amended as to definitely require
sufficient lifeboats to accommodate ev-
cry passenger and every member OF
the crew. That the importance of this
feature is realized by steamship lines
is indicated by the fact that on many
lines steps are being taken to provide
! iifeboat capacity for every person on
board, including the crew. and the fact
of such equipment is being widely adj
vertised. The president of the Mercan-
tile Marine company. Mr.. Ismay deA-
nitely stated TO the committee. we
have issued instructions that none Of
the ships of our line shall leave any
port carrying more passengers and
crew than they have capacity for IN
the lifeboats'
Not less than four members of the
crew skilled in handling boats should
be assigned to every lifeboat; all men,
bers of the crew assigned to lifeboats
in lowering and rowing the boat not
less than twice each month and the
fact OF such driIl or practice should be
noted IN the log"