The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-05-31
To CRITICIZE
SMITH AND |SMAY
REPORT OF SENATE lNVESTIGA-
TON OF TITANIC
DISASTER.
DIDN'T HEED WARNINGS
Senator Raynor and Senator Smith
Have Set Speeches on the Lessons
Taught to Commerce by Sink
Ing Of White Star Liner.

ing OF Wnlte star Liner.
Washington, ID. c. - The senat
committee on commerce considere'
the report on the Titanic disaste
which will be submitted to the senat
Tuesday.
1t will be an arraignment Of the con
ditions under which the vessel swep
along through the iceberg area to he
doom with its immense loss of life
The report was framed largely b.
Senator William Alden Smith of Mich
igan, the chairman of the subcommit
tee that conducted the investigation
During the subcommittee discussion
there were some notifications of or
iginal draft along the lines Of more
conservative deductions.
1t is understood the report will Sc
verely criticize Captain Smith of the
Titanic as mainly responsible for the
disaster, because Of failure to heed
the warning Of other vessels; the
British board Of trade for law inspec.
ton; J. Bruce Ismay, who was a pas
senger; and will point to the lack of
discipline in the time of danger.
Captain Lord of the Californian will
figure In the responsibility because of
failure to take necessary steps when
near the Titanic, whose rocket signals
Of distress were seen aboard the Cali
fornian. Congress will be asked to
reward Captain Rostron Of the ship
Carpathia.
A general bill is being drafted by
Senator Smith, which along with other
measures already framed in the SEN
ate and the house, will be considered
by the commerce committee and re-
duce to concrete legislation to meet
the lessons drawn from the disaster.
The report will criticize the lack Of
drills and tests aboard the Titanic
the speed maintained at the time Of
the accident, the failure Of the steam
ship company to provide the Titanic
with glasses for the lookouts and with
searchlights, the failure to give gen.
eral warning to the passengers after
the vessel had struck an iceberg with
an impact, estimated at the combined
force OF the broadsides of a score of
the largest guns used by the navy, and
the White State Line company for
Its course as to giving out information
on Monday Of the disaster.
With some notifications, In view OF
the excitement, 1t will criticize the in
difference Of some of those aboard the
%lifeboats toward those struggling in
the water in view of the fact which
the evidence showed, that the life
boats which could have taken care of
1,176 people, only carried 704.
The report will advocate more life
boats, more extensive wireless appa-
ratus and other equipment. The com
mittee will urge definite international
understanding looking to greater safe
ty at sea. Two set speeches on the
disaster will follow the presentation
OF the report. Senator Smith will
make a speech on the subject and
Senator Rayner Of Maryland will dis
cuss The Lessons Taught Congress
and the People Of the Titanic Dis
Washington, d. c. - Informal con-
f%erences among Republican and Demo
cratic senator's made an adjournment
of congress before the national party
in June at least a posi-
bility.
Plans were tentatively agreed upon
to have the senate meet at ii o'clock
in the morning beginning next Mon
day and to hold night sessions If
to dispose of the congestion
Of business.
Senator Smoot of Utah, one of the
leaders. favored meeting
at 10 o'clock and said that If senator's
could agree to disagree ON many i'm.
portant matters and TO have night
sessions with the senate keeping
right to business" the calendar could
be cleared of all important
Senator Simmons of North Caro-
lima, said that a vote on the metal
bill was certain before the end Of next
The senate and house committees
on the ~three-year homestead bill
and the bill will be reported
to both houses for final action. Un-
der the agreement the bill would re-
the required residence of the
entrymen upon these homesteads from
five to three years; the entrymen must
one-sixteenth Of the homestead
under cultivation by the end of the
second year. and one-eighth at the
end Of the third year, and until final
proof is made. The entrymen may be
ahaou& Aro Aon4ha of each uoa