The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-05-28
CALIFORNIAN MIGHT
HAVE SAVED THOSE
ON The TITANIC

danger, although President Ismay OF
the White Star line. who was taking
the vessels maiden voyage. was in
formed. No general alarm was given
nor any organized system Of safety
undertaken.
OF the 1924 passengers and sac
members of the crew on board. there
was room in lifeboats for only 1,176
persons, and because OF lack of order.
ly discipline the boats took Off only
704 persons, twelve being RESCUED from
the water.
Oftcers of the White star line bat
tied with the truth" after receiving
information from their Montreal Of
fee the Monday morning following the
accident.
Senator Smith condemned "~antiquat-
ed shipping laws and overripe admin
~istrative boards" and asked that all
nations act together in shipping re-
forms. New laws" he said, ''will
best testify our affection for the dead
Captain Rostron of the rescue ship
Carpathia was praised by Senator
Smith and he urged that congress
recognize his valor.
At the outset, Senator Smith de-
Tended the course OF his committees
in holding British subjects to secure
their testimony without delay, and
briefly answered criticism of his lack
Of nautical knowledge.
Our course was simple and plain
to ather the facts relating to the dis
aster while they were still vivid reali-
ties" ne said. Questions of diverse
citizenship gave way to the universal
desire for the simple truth. 1t was
of paramount Importance that we
should act quickly to avoid jurisdic-
tional confusion and organized opposi-
tion at home or abroad. VIZ. Of course,
recognized that the ship was under a
foreign flag, but the lives OF many Of
our own countrymen had been sacri-
feed and the safety of many had been
put in grave peril, and it was vital that
the entire matter should be reviewed
before an American tribunal IL legisla-
tive action was tt be taken for future
guidance.
Without n pretentions to expert
ence or special knowledge Of NAUTICAL
affairs, nevertheless / am of the opin-
ion that very few important facts
which were susceptible of being known
escaped our scrutiny. Emery is often
more desirable than learning, and the
inquisition serves a usefsa purpose to
the state.
"In the construction Of the Titanic
| continued the senator, mo limit of cost
c-ircumscribed their endeavor n when
this vessel took its place at the head
of the line every modern improvement
in shipbuilding was supposed to have
been realized; so confident were they
that both owner and builder were
eager to go upon the trial trip.
When the crisis came a state Of
absolute unpreparedness stupefed both
passengers and crew, and, In their
despair, the ship went down, carrying
as needless a sacrifice of noble wom-
en- and brave men as eve clustered
about the judgment seat in any single
moment Of passing time.
1--WE shall leave to the honest judg-
ment Of England its painstakipg chas-
tisement OF the British board Of trade,
to whose Iaxity of regulation and
hasty inspection the world Is largely
Indebted for this awful fatality. OF
contributing causes there We're many.
In the face of warning signals, speed
was increased and messages of danger
seemed to stimulate her to action rath-
er than to persuade her to fear
L.