Gilpin observer., 1912-04-18
OFFICIAL WASHINGTON STIRRED
OVER HORROR OF TITANIC
DISASTER.
TO IMPROVE WIRELESS
BIG OCEAN LINERS MUST HAVE
MORE LIFEBOATS AND
PRESERVERS.
western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Washington.AStirr by the horror
of the Titanic disaster, all official
Washington is preparing for steps to
minimize the possibilities of another
such tragedy.
Congress began framing legislation
to govern life-saving appliances and
wireless, and President Taft, doubly
touched by the probable loss of his
military aide, Major Archibald Butt,
held conferences with Cabinet Off
GERS to consider government control
over the operation of wireless.
In the House what may result in a
federal investigation into the causes
of the wreck and the enactment Of
protective measures was begun with
resolutions offered by Representatives
Mott and Hardwick. The Mott resolu-
tion provides for a searching inquiry
by the merchant marine committee
The Hardwick resolution provides for
life-saving apparatus. Under the Mott
resolution the merchant marine COM
mittee would sit as court and COM
pei the attendance of witnesses.
Chairman Alexander of the commit
tee said that the catastrophe would
stop the building of such enormous
vessels. He favors limitation by law
on the sizes of vessels which visit
American ports. The committee also
expects to report a bill to regulate
wireless.
President Taft was in conference
nearly two hours with his Cabinet Of
ficers whose functions cover the op-
erations of this new system of teleg-
raphy. These were Secretaries Stim-
son, Meyer and Nagel. Attorney Gen
eral Wickersham was called in to give
legal advice as to the necessities in
legislative way of additional laws.
In recognition of the extensive in
terests of private corporations, which
have spent much in the equipment of
ships and shore stations with wireless
outfits, former Attorney General
Griggs and Mr.. Sheffield representing
the Marconi company. were also con-
suited, while the technical side of the
question was developed by Admiral
Cone, engineer-in- chief of the navy,
whose bureau is charged with the
navigation of naval wireless systems.
The discussion was general and
touched particularly upon the details of
new bill which probably will be pre-
pared in the Navy Department to give
effect to the requirements of the gen.
eral wireless telegraphic convention
to which America has recently ad-
hered
By direction of the President, Act
ing Secretary Huntington Wilson of
the State Department sent a message
IN reply extending mutual sympathy.
The House adopted resolution ex-
pressing coincidence to the relatives of
those who lost their lives on the Ii
tanic. This resolution offered by Rep
resentative Austin of Tennessee, Re-
publican, follows:
Resolved, That this House has
heard with profound regret and sor-
row OF the appalling loss of life ON
the steamship Titanic and expresses
its deep sympathy for the relatives of
those who perished in that great dis.
aster."
Lord Burnham cabled to President
Taft expressing sympathy with the
proprietors of the London Daily Tele-
graph for the terrible loss of so many
prominent and distinguished citizens
and the appalling catastrophe which
has befallen the Titanic"