The Washington times., 1912-04-25

sages to be transmitted without con-
fusion.
Mr.. Marconi said he did not believe
an operator would have the legal right
to withhold news to sell 1t, but ne saio
there was nothing to compel MIN 10
send 1t, except orders from superior
officers.
Marconi First Witness.
William Marconi. the wireless in
ventor, was the first witness today,
coming over from New York at Senator
Smiths request.
He admitted a message was sent from
the New York Marconi Offices to ,oper-
ator Gotham on the Carpathia ordering
him to Hold a news story OF the dis
aster at four figures"
but the message was not sent until
the Carpathia' was off SANDY HOOK;
practically in New YORK heroor' Nsaio
He denied personal knowledge Of the
| message, saying Chief Engineer sam
mis-. Of the New York Office was re-
Marconi said an interview with Cot.
| tam and not a wireless message was
| meant to be held for big money
Senator Smith. in opening the hear
ing, said he understood deposiions
would be taken today from otncsTs ana
| crew of the steamer Mount IeiIIRtS, Re,
| from the crippled and sinking Titanic.
Freak kilograms.
Freak" kilograms offering suggestions
| were showered on Senator Smith To-Day.
Richard g. Oakley. of Spokane, wiSed a
suggestion for spool buoy to nnd
| sunken vessel.
Marconi said he Is always consulted
regarding wireless equipment of all
| a.
tail Godfrey c. Isaacs, of London, Is
II have no official connection with
! the British government, except, advisory
In connection with wireless work, salno 10
! partment has charge of the wireless
Marconi said he has special con-
| tract of twenty eight years with the
| British government, providing for erec'
ton Of government wireless stations.
Radius of Cape Race Station.
THE Cape Race station" he said
has a radius of 400 miles by day, and
over 1000 miles by night"
with a ship like the Titanic oil
Olympic, how far away could Cape Race
get into touch?" asked Senator Smith.
From 100 to 1,5OO miles at night
Marconi replied.
Marconi said the Canadian Pacific
|
tance equipment limiting her communi
cation to 200 miles.
Marconi said the longest distance ht
had ever known a wireless message tc
be sent was 5000 miles from Clifton
IrelGnd, to Buenos Ayres, Argentina,
! How long did 1t take the message
to cover the distance?" asked Senator
Smith.
About one-twentieth of a second.
was the reply.
you mean less than minute?'
II mean 1t was as quick as a light
ming fash"
} Operators at All Times.
Marconi declared that a ship should
have an operator on duty at all times
The. Californian. Carpathia. and Noun
Temple each carried a single operator
Marconi said he was informed at 7.3
Monday evening, April 15, that the tt
tanic had sunk. The news was phonet
. to him by the American director of hi
company. He did not inform the Whit,
Star line because he had been told tha
the steamship, company knew about It
The witness received Information from
his office on Tuesday evening, April lG
that the Carpathia was returning Will
number OF survivors.
'T was told" he said. that it wa
very difficult to get news fro n the Car
pathia as the ships operator was del
uged with messages being sent by TIL
captain and passengers. l made no at
tempt to inform the operator or the cap
> tain! as ] believed they were the bes
. Judges of the situation.
MarConi said he was telephoned b,
5 operator Cottam, of the Carpathia, a
3 New York, Thursday evening, askin
l permission to give a story of the dis
t aster. He said permission was given.
5 Cottam Asked Permission.
l 1T is an offense under British law
2 for an operator to give out news" sal
, Marconi. "Cottam used. his discretion 4
refusing to give out story while o
= the CarPathia. In New York, about
a. m, Friday, Cottam said he woul
1 get something for a story.
= II told him he could give II If h
4 wished"
I Marconl denied sending a message [
\ Operators Bride and Cottam saying
!, Keep your mouths shut"
= Senator Smith then read the follow
: ing wireless from the captain of ia