The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-25
The Officers of the Titanic Are
Growing Impatient
At Being Held to Testify in
Senate Investigation.
CABLE SHIP IS RETURNING
The Mackay-Bennet Is Making
Her Way to Halifax.
She Reports, by Wireless, Hav-
ing Found 2O5 Bodies.

Washington, April 25.-Officers of
the Titanic who have appeared before
the senate investigating committee
were urging early today that they be
permitted to go back to their homes
in England at the earliest possible
moment.
All of the surviving officers have
testified but the committee is Ioath
to let any of them return until the
testimony of all ships crew has peen
taken. Counsel for the White Star
company urged that the Officers oe
permitted to return under promise
that they could be reca1leo ano oon m
respond If necessary. 1t was conteIn-
plated that a decision would be reach-
ed some time today.
Chairman Smith early today was
unable to say in what order the WI
nesses would be called. He wishes 10
recall Steward Crawford, the man
who saw Mrs. Isador Straus step PACK
from the lifeboat and RECON- her nus
band on the deck. There was conslo-
cradle speculation before the nearing
as to when ]. Bruce Ismay, managing
director of the White Star line Woulo
he recalled. Chairman Smith is anx-
ious to expedite the inquiry in oroer 10
let Mr.. Ismay get away as soon az
possible. He had thought he could
call him earlier, but as the develop
nents have come it has been neces-
sary to hold him. Whether ne can De
reached today is predetermined.
Mr.. Ismay is less nervous as the
hearing progresses Yesterday he re-
NAMED throughout the hearing anu
listened attentively to the tesumony
of Fifth Officer Lowe, VINO told now
he had ordered the head OF the greal
company back from the boat because
of his excitement. Loves complete
story of Ismay's conduct seemed to
give the head of the Merchant Marine
company cheer.
Will Call Firemen.
That some of the firemen OF the "a
tanic will be called today IS expecteu
the government officer in charge nav
ing been instructed to nave them
within call. The commission also looks
for the arrival late today of DR.. h. Z.
Ouitznnan of Toronto, one OF the pas
cancers on the Canadian Pacific rail-
road steamer Mount Temple, NhD
claims to have seen the fading l6f1ts
of the Titanic while on board the
Mount Temple. "a
tho Gear on the davit worked perfectly
ana the launching of the lifeboats
vas a great success. There was no
trouble he said -
NAV" explained the witness. Senator
smith asked Lowe if in his opinion
tha 1ifeboat before it was lowered
was loaded to it's proper capacity.
Eyes. sir SalQ Lowe -
nronerlv loaded for lowering
what is the official quota for such A
lifeboat?"
a boy or girl
e.Then YOU wish the committee to UNI
derstand that a lifeboat under BRUSH
regulations could not be lowered with
ca fetv with new tackle and equipment
containing more than SO persons?
"The dangers are if you overcrowd
the boat it will buckle up from the two
ends" said Lowe. 1.-THE 65.5 is float
ing capacity. If you load from the deck
to lower I should not like to put more
than so in a lifeboat
Why Rescue Was Not Tried.
Senator Smith referred to Third Off
Ger Pitman's testimony in which he
said there were 35 persons in hfeboat
No. 5. That being the case he asked
WHY Pitman could not have gone to the |
rescue of the drowning, whose cries ne |
heard but did not heed.
.sWouIdn't he have been able to ac- |
80 more people safely in |
that Iifeboat?'' demanded Senator |
Smith.
mo, sir" said Lowe. Had he at
tempted to rescue those in the water he |
would have endangered the ives of |
those with him. I want to say a word |
about that danger Lowe continued.
It heard Major Peuchen say ON the |
stand that the sailors could not row.
Sailors and boatmen are different. |
Many sailors may be at sea for years
different callings. That is the reason |
a great many of the sailors couldn't |
row."
Senator Smith asked if it were not
~ n