The Washington times., 1912-04-30
OBTAINS |SMAY
IN CIVIL ACTION
OVER DISASTER
Widow of Titanic Victim
Cites Director Before
( Commission.
Continued from First PaEe.l

Continued from First Page.)
whether in drinking toasts to the ves-
sci, liquor was consumed.
Mr.. Ismay read to the subcommittee
all of the messages which he sent from
the Carpathia from the time he went
aboard to the time when she docked at
New York. The most important OF
these messages is one which has already
II from the Carpathia about o'clock
Monday morning. But he pointed out
that for some reason he could not eX
plain 1T was not received by Mr.. Frank
lin, vice president of the International
Mercantile Marine Company until two
days later, April II.
This telegram was a brief one ex-
pressing deep regret that the Titanic
had sunk with serious loss of life.
1t was signed Bruce Ismay." The
other messages were, in part. per-
sonal, some to Mrs. Ismay, some to
Franklin, and some with relation to
holding the Cedric for the crew and
officers of the Titanic and for him
self.
Knew Nothing of Probe.
when 1 arranged for the Cedric
] had no idea of any Senate investi-
CATION" said Mr. Ismay. He said he
never had any talk with the captain
sto the speed of the vessel: that he
never urged the captain or any off,
Ger to greater speed.
did YOU, asked Senator Smith, ''in
your capacity as general manager of
! the company, undertake In any way to
influence or direct the management of
the ship from the time she left South
ompton?"
NO, sir, | did not. That would have
been entirely outside my province"
He insisted that the ship was not
going at full speed at the time of the
collision and that it was never inteded
the Titanic should do more than equal
y the speed of the Olympic.
Questioned about what followed the
: collision, Mr.. lsmay declared that he
went to the bridge and saw the captain
labout ten minutes after the accident.
The captain said the damage was seri-
Gus. The engineer said the damage was
, serious, but he hoped to control 1t with
But he denied he had had any definite
reports from Captain Smith after the
iaccident as to the extent of the damage.
Il gave no instructions to the cap
tain or the chief engineer either before
or after the catastrophe.
4 Tribute to Captain Smith.
In the course of the morning. Mr..
Ismay paid high tribute to Captain
Smith. In response to questions as
to why Captain Smith was picked to
command, Mr.. Ismay said:
HE was looked on as the right man
for that position in every respect.
He was a man who had the conf
dence sf everybody. He was the first
commander of the Olympic. He had
commanded IA number of our vessels
on their first trips. He was looked
had very, very clear record until
he had the unfortunate collision with
the Hawk"
Senator Smith queried lsmay close
reinsurance.
cost of the ship as $7,500,000 and the
insurance as $5,OOO.O00. He said he
had little to do With the e I,s insurance
DO you know OF any attempt to
feinsure the Titanic?'
Absolutely none and l CANT i'm
NJ. M Co. doing such a horrible
thing"
81 would say such thing was very
dshonorable," Mr.. lsmaY added as
been done it would have been on the
basis of advance knowledge of the
disaster.
Sunday night after explaining that
he dined in the restaurant with the
ships doctor and no one else. he said:
Captain Smith dined in the restau-
dined with Mr.. and Mrs. Widener, MI.
and Mrs. Carter. and Mr. and Mrs.
Thayer were there. l don't think
Major Butt was there sr / csur. could no not
ing in the forward end on the star
board side and in an alcove. l was
at table, a half or three quarters or
when l went out of the room: 7
next saw the captain on the bridge
after the accident" .
He said he dined with Captain Smith
Friday night, but at no other time.
In response to questions as to equip
ment of vessels with life-saving 40
tplances. Mr.. Ismay referring to num-
ber of lifeboats, said
Will Take Matter UP.
1T Is my opinion, on account of this
horrible catastrophe, that the whole
question should be gone into. 1T is
matter that will be taken up as soon
as I get home"
He said he had been so crowded with
other matters he had not had time to
go into this question.
did you have any conversation with
any passenger about Stacking the speed
Of the Titanic in view of the ice?' asked
Senator Burton.
but said it was the intention to let the
boat out Monday or Tuesday to see
what she could 10.
Isnay again denied that he had at
tempted 20 nut an embargo ON the news
from the Carpatnta. Asked about the
present whereabouts of the lifeboats of
the Titanic ne SAID tnlrteen We'S III
New York.
Pefore ndiourning the hearing for the
inadday recess, said:
"In my examination of Officer Lowe
the other day asked a question with
refer ence to his habits. lie said he
was a teetoler, and l accepted tn?
statement as final, and congratulated
him 1t is not the disposition. of the
committee to cast any reflections on
officer loves habits. ] think the diff
ficuIty arose because of the statement
of a witness that officer Lowe was in
temperate. lie referred to his disnosi-
tion, and not to the Gbits of officer
Lowe and l want to make this corrrc-
ton
Offcer Lowe. who vas present, thank
cd the chairman. and Eurriedly left the
room.
The crew Of the Titanic and two of
the officers, left the city at l o'clock.
They expect to sail on the Adriattc.
The other officers are still detained here;
The crew and officers who departed
were paid off this morning by the Sen
ate Sergeant-at- arms and disbursing
officer The witnesses fees and eX-
penses of the crew while here cost the
Government 81. .S6S. The Government Is
paying the hotel expenses of the officers
and So a day besides. under a different
arrangement from that as to the men.
New Mystery Injected.