Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-30
OFFICIALS Of LINE
HELDUP THE NEWS,
WITNESS ASSERTS
Charge of Western Union En-
pIoye Repeated to Titanic
Committee.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WRECK
SUPPRESSED FOR HOURS
Refuses to Give Name of Informant
Without His Permission.
FRANKLIN ASKS RIGID INQUIRY
Managing Director Ismay Denies
That He Undertook in Any
Way to Direct Manage
ment Of the Titanic.
announcement OF WRECK
SUPPRESSED FOR HOURS
Refuses to Give Name of Informant
Without His Permission.
FRANKLIN ASKS RIGID INQUIRY

the Senate committee investigating the
Titanic disaster that the White Star line
officials had positive news of the disaster
between the hours Of and on the
morning following the accident, but
suppressed the news until twelve hours
later. The Information was given by
E. J. Dunn. New York business man,
who said he had that information from
the son of Western Union employe. He
refused to give his informant's name and
was promptly given over to the sergeant
alarms. He spent the remainder Of the
morning using the long distance tele-
phone. in an effort to be absolved from
his pledge of secrecy.
When Dunn was summarily removed J.
Bruce Ismay, managing director OF the
International Mercantile Marine, was
called to the stand. He was highly nerv-
ous but from the outset showed his will
ingness to cooperate with the committee.
Senator Smith, chairman Of tho commit
tee, subjected him. to q searching exam
ination as to the safety equipment Of
the Titanic. He declared that the ship
was not built for speed and that all the
company contemplated when the ship was
speed Of the Olympic.
Doom Of Ship Quickly Seen.
Before the hearing was resumed sena-
tor Burton announced that he had exam
ined Fourth Onicer Boxhall late last night
and had learned from him that J. w.
Andrews. builder Of the Titanic, who
went down with the ship. told Capt
CT 80 -
would sink within an hour.
II had long talk with Oficer Boxhall."
said Senator Burton, tand asked him to
recall, IL he could, what he heard Capt.
Smith say on the deck of the ship after
the collision. Boxhall recalled several
trivial things that had been said on the
bridge and about the deck before the
order was given to get out the lifeboats
and then recollected what the captain had
said about the condition Of the ship q
few minutes after the collision.
''He said that Capt. Smith had told him
about twenty minutes after the collision
that the Titanic was doomed and that
]. w. Andrews. representing the build
ers, had given him the information. An
drews had gone over the ship Immediately
after the crash and discovered that her
hull had been ripped open. He was the
first to assure the captain that the ship
could not be saved"
This testimony Is corroborative OF that
given by Samuel Hemming, a seaman,
who said the boatswain woke him up
you only have half an hour to live. This
comes from Andrews. Keep it to your
SELF
Senator Burton planned to have Box
hall recalled to the stand before leaving
for England to be questioned further
about this incident. Senator Smith issued
q subpoena last night for Henry Stengel
OF Newark, N. j., survivor OF the IT,
tanic. who will be questioned about the
speed Of the ship. Stengel may be ex-
amined today.
J. Bruce Ismay arrived at the commit
tee room early. prepared to take the
stand.
Wreck News Held Up Twelve Hours
E. ]. Dunn. an importer of New York,
was the first witness. He told of q
luncheon conversation a day or so ago.
when a friend told OF receipt by the
Western Union telegraph of q wireless
message which was transmitted to isle
frank between 7:30 and o'clock Mon.
day morning. The code address is that OF
p. A. 8. Franklin. vice president of the
International Merchant Marine. The mes
sage, the witness said he was informed.
which was not made public by the White
Star line until twelve hours later.
What was your informants Manner
asked Senator Smith.
II can't, tell you." replied Dunn. '.I
am under pledge not to reveal his name"
when did you see him last?"
Last night in New York at the train.
He promised to come over here to TESTIFY.
Today j discovered the following tele-
gram: Regret present circumstances do
not permit departure. CNo signatureC
That is all l know Of his failure to be
here
II must insist that you give your in-
formant's name" the senator continued.
81 can't give 1t: l regret it very much.
eaid Dunn, his face flushing brilliant
red.
did your informant tell you why you .
should not give his name?"
simply q matter of protecting his
father. He said his father was employed
by the Western Union. and that IL this
matter came out and 1t was known that
he gave 1t. HIS father would lose his po-
sition."
Mr.. Dunn was temporarily excused.
Senator Smith telling him to retire to his
office.
Charles II. Morgan of Cleveland, dep
the witness Louis Klein to Washington.
who subsequently disappeared. was next
called. He said that Klein had signed a
paper. waving issuance OF subpoena, and
had come to Washington voluntarily. He
said Klein disappeared from his hotel
several days ago and could not be found.
Senator Smith left the room after Nor
gan had testified and conferred with
Mr.. Dunn in his private ONCE. He In
Dunn to get In telephone COM
with the man who told him
about the mysterious message and ask
mis- permission TO disclose his identity
II am going to get that mans name"
said Senator Smith. II be will mot per-
nit disclosure of his identity We win use
,ther means to get II. |"
"what was the information IN the mys-
.erious message?' Senator Smith was
asked.
information xept From Public.
Dunn has not disclosed Il ou4&he stand,
put knew what # WAS" sa34 he cam
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