The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-25
How the Death Agony Of the Titanic's Victims
Was Made Money Making Proposition
by Wireless Operators.
INVENTOR OF system ON THE STAND
Fourth Day Of the Investigation Brings Out
Reason Why the Sad Story Was Held
Back So Long.

Clifton. Ireland. to Buenos Ayres,
Argentine.
How long did 1t take the message
to cover the distance?" asked Smith.
About one twentieth OF a second. ;"
was the reply.
You mean less than minute?'
Il mean 1t was as quick as light
ming fash"
Marconi declared that ship should
bave an operator on duty at all times.
The Californian. Carpathia and Mount
Temple each carried but one operator,
Marconi said he was informed at
1880 Monday evening, April 15, that
the Titanic had sunk. The news was
phoned to him by the American IL
rector of his company. He did not
! inform the White Star line because
he had been told that the steamship
company knew about It,
The witness received information
from his Office on Tuesday evening,
April 16, that the Carpathia was re-
turning with number of survivors.
WdS tOlQ, AS IudC IL " 90
very difficult to get news from the
Carpathia as the ships operator was
deluged with messages being sent by
the captain and passengers made
no attempt to influence the operator
or the captain as believed they were
the best Judges of the situation
intercepted Messages.
Marconi said he was telephoned by
Operator Cottam of the Carpathia at
New York Thursday evening asking
permission to give a story of the dis
aster. He said permission was given.
"It is an offense under British laws
for an operator to give out news,
said Marconi. "Cottam used his dis.
cretion in refusing to give out story
4 while on the Carpathia. In New
!. York about g. m. Friday Cottam
said he could get something for 8
story.
'I told him he could give IT II he
wished
Marconi denied sending message
to Operators Bride and Cottam, say
: ing: Keep your mouths shut"
Senator Smith then read the fol
: lowing wireless from the captain q
the u. S. s. Florida to the navy de
partment:
: THE following radiograms were in
) tercepted by Wireless Operator simp
son and appear significant enough te
: he be brought to the attention OF the
$ department:
: "sea Gate to Carpathia, $40 p. m.
April IS. Say old man. the Maroon
: company is taking good care OF you
8 It's fixed for you so you will get .hit
5 money. Now please do your best t.
t clear
4 "'Sea Gate to Carpathia, and II
y tanic operators, $3.50 p. M, April Is
Arranged for your exclusive story TO
: dollars in four figures. Maroon
b agreeing. Say nothing until you se
}, me. go. o.s ~
"'Sea Gate to Carpathia operator
: 9 D. M, April Is. Go to Strand hotel
i 542 West 14th street, to meet MI
s Marconi.
q (Signed) y.
.'sea Gate, to Carpathia operators
h O. 30 D. m. Meet Mr.. Mareoni an
|. sammis at Strand, 642 West l4tf
$ Keep your mouth shut,
/. lsiened, 'Marconi.'
e All of the above messages wer
sent by the commander OF the Fiorid
l. to the secretary OF the navy, sal
h Senator Smith. What can you sa
Il about that, Mr.. Marconi?'
'T don't know anything about tina
!. told Mr.. Sammis that as an ofiioia
y Of the British company would nc
prevent operators from making wha
n thew could out of the infcrmatio
q tbey had. 1t is not custom OF ou
n company, but 1t was done in the cas-
Of a former wrecls-the wreck OF IN
. panublic Jack Binns was permitte
n yiye his statement for pay
Ic aDo you mean asked Smith, tina
rt on onerator under your company
d. direction shall have the right to pre-
vent the public from knowing Of tn
. areatest sea horror In the world
:, Z fcontinued on page 80