The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-04-26
Maryland Senator Lays Sinking
Of Titanic to Ismay.
SCORES COMPANY OFFICIALS
Declares Them CrlminalIy Re-
spOnsibIe for Tragedy.

Washington, April 20-An indict.
ment, rarely eaualed in its vigor, di.
rected against ]. Bruce Ismay, man
aging director Of the White Star line,
and other officials of the company,
holding them responsible for the Tt
tanic disaster, was delivered in the
senate by Senator Rayner of Mary
land, who pictured Ismay as "the Off
Ger primarily responsible for the whole
disaster, who has reached his destina-
ton in safety and unframed"
Senator Rayner pointed out that
while there was no civil nor criminal
remedies available in the American
courts criminal and civil suits could
be brought in the British courts and
that congressional committee would
have absolute authority to subpoena
every one connected with the disaster
end that if any one should refuse to
answer questions he could be indicted
and imprisoned for contempt
"Mr. Ismay claims, according to re-
ports, that he took the last lifeboat, .
cried Senator Rayner. Il do not be-
tc take any lifeboat, for the managing
director of the line, with his board, is
Criminally responsible for this appall-
ing tragedy.
IF this had happened on an Amer
lean vessel there would be no question
that an indictment would be found
and If the facts were sustained the
officers of the company could be con-
victed of manslaughter, if not murder,
because the evidence is clear that the
vessel was not properly equipped with
efficient lifesaving apparatus.
Risked Life to Make Speed.
II have not the slightest doubt that
the Northern route was taken in obedi-
ence to Mr.. 1smay's direct orders and
that with full warning he risked the
life of his entire ship to make a
speedy passage. F.
Il care not what are the rules of
the English admiralty. Here you have
the spectacle of the head of the line
failing to see that his ship was
equipped properly with lifesaving APP
paratus, needless of the warnings that
he was sailing in dangerous sea, for
saking his vessel and permitting 1900
Of her passengers and crew to be swal-
lowed by the sea-
THE martyrdom and the agonies of
separation that took place on board
that sinking ship are too fearful for
the mind TO dwell upon and contem-
plate, but Mr.. Ismay. the officer pri-
marily responsible for the whole dis
aster, has reached his destination in
safety and unframed.
mo legislation can bring back to
earth a single life lost upon that fatal
night. What we can do is to help fix
the responsibility if possible. and rely
upon British justice to bring to bay
the guilty directorate of this company
"All civilized nations will applaud
the criminal prosecution of the man
agement of this line. If they can be
made to suffer no sympathy will go
out for them and if it does it will be
submerged in the overwhelming lamen-
tation that today re-echoes throughout
the civilized world for the victims OF
their culpable carelessness-a reck-
iessness that sent hundreds of their
fellow beings into eternity, despoiling
homes and firesides and turned this
land into a house OF mourning.
an this hour of our calamity we ap-
peal to the majesty of the law to deal
out retributory justice to this guilty
company to the last degree"