Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-05-28
MEDAL GIVEN To
CAPT. ROS(RON
Skipper of Rescue Ship Car
pathia Rewarded as
Hero by Senate
S1RICTER INSPECTION URGED
Report on Titanic's Loss Con.
demns Commander of SIS.
Californian

, tBy Special Leased Wire to New Nrexrca n
Washington d. c., May 2S.-Tbe tt
tanlc disaster of April -. in which
l'3ll souls went down amid iceberes
Off the banks of Newfoundland was
the theme OF speech. report and pro
posed legislation in the Senate TODAY
senator William Alden Smith, of
Michigan, submitted the report of the
investigation by the Senate commerce
committee, feature of which was
the condemnation of the captain of
the steamer Californian for not going,
TO the aid of the sinking vessel and de.
lVered a speech in which he person.
! ally took much stronger ground in re-
viewing the disaster and introduced
! measures designed to safeguard life
! in ocean traffic
For Stricter inspection.
one OF the most important recon-
inehdatlons was for stricter inspec-
ton of vessels by the federal steam
poat inspection service and the meet
ing OF all requirements of American
navigation laws by every vessel clear
ing from an American port,
Medal for Captain of carpathia
1t was one of the noteworthy davs
OF the present session of Congress-
Almost all of the senators were in
'helr seats. The galleries were
crowded. The Senate passed a Joint
resolution extending the thanks of
congress and appropriating 81 600 for
a medal to Captain Arthur II Rostron
OF the Carpathia, and also a vote of
thanks to the Carpathia's crew. The
resolution was introduced by Senator
smith. 1t was adopted immediately.
senator Rayner of Maryland in
speech arraigned American naviga-
ton law and drew lessons from tbe
accident.
Captain Smith is Blamed.
washington. May 2S.-Blame for the
lltanlc disaster is chargeable direct
N to the failure of the dead Cantain
ohlith to heed repeated warnings of
iceDergS ahead, but responsibility for
unnecessary loss of life must be
shared by Captain Lord of the steam
snip Californian, through his disre-
gard of distress signals, This is tho
hndlng OF the Senate Committee
"hlch investigated the sinking of the
lItahlc, as prepared in comprehen-
SlVe speech delivered by William AL
den Smith, of Michigan, Chairman of
the Committee
Senator Smith declared that respon
slDlilty also rests upon the British
Board OF Trade, to whose laxitv of
regulation, and hasty inspection. the
world is largely indebted for the awful
Iata!lty' In denouncing CAPTAIN Lord
OF the Californian. the Senator said
the l1tanic's distress signals were
pidlhiS seen from the deck of his YES
sci short distance away
America will leave to England the
of those guilty asserted
tne Senator, and he quoted British
law to show that CAPTAIN Lord might
De prosecuted for a misdemeanor.
o'her conclusions presented, in
brief, were as follows:
before the Titanic departed on her
maiden voyage there were no suffi-
cieht tests of boilers, bulkheads,
equipment or signal devices.
Officers and crew were strangers
10 each other and not familiar with
me ships implements or tools, and no
irlll or station practice took place and
40 helpful discipline prevailed.
The speed OF the Titanic was q 1-2
miles an hour at the time of the ac-
'ldent, although officers of the I'll
anic had been advised of the presence
'f icebergs by the steamships Baltic.
and Californian.
passengers We're not advised OF
langer, although President Ismay of
ne White Star Line. who was taking
he vessels maiden voyage, was in.
ormed. No general alarm was given
lot any organized system of safety
Or the 1924 passengers and S99
members OF the crew on board. there
vas room in lifeboats for only 1.175
'ersons, and because of lack of order.
y discipline the boats took off only
"a persons, II being rescued from
he water.
Otiicers of the White Star Line
battled with the truth" after receiv-
ng information from their Montreal
hice Monday morning following the
ccident.
Senator Smith condemned "anti-
uated shipping laws and overripe ad-
boards" and asked that all
ations act together in shipping re-
orms. New laws" he said, will
est testify our affection for the
cad"
Captain Rostron, of the rescue ship
'arDathia, was praised by Senator
mith and he urged that Congress
his valor.
At the outset Senator Smith de-
ended the course of his committee
I holding British subjects to secure
heir testimony without delay, and
riefly answered criticism of his lack
f nautical knowledge.
Our course was simple and plain
; gather the facts relating to this
isaster while they were still vivid
a. litieS y he said HOnnStinns &c IL