Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-24

Washington, Apr4l 23-Like the miss Ing horseshoe nail that cost g. monarch his kingdom. the failure to provide binoculars or spygIasses for the look outs on the Titanic was one cOntribut- ing cause in the destruction of the ship an the loss of more than 1,60O lives.
 Two witnesses before the senate in- vestigating committee today agreed on this. They were Frederick Fleet, a lookout on the liner, and Major Arthur Godfrey Peuchen, Canadian manufac- tureT and yachtsmsn, who was among the rescued passengers.
 Asked for Binoculars.
 Fleet acknowledged that if he had been aided in bis observations by a good glass he probably could have spied the berg into which the ship crashed in time to have warned tho bridge to avoid 1t. Major Peuchen also testified the much greater sweep of vision afforded by binoculars, and, as yachtsnsn. said he believed the pres ence of the iceberg might have been detected in time to eS,saps tfs collision had the loOoACout men boen so equip ped.
 It was made to appear that the blame for being without glasses did not rest with the lookout u1nn Fleet said they had asked Tor them at Southampton and were told there were none for them. One glass in a pinch would have served ths whole crows nest.
 No Drilis Held by Crew.
 Major Peuchen criticised in strong terms the lack Of experienced sailors on board the Titanic. He said that when the call 10 quarters was sounded not enough of the crew responded to undertake the work required in lower ing and filling the boats-
 Furthermore, be said no drills had been held from the time the ship left Southampton. although 1t was custom ary to hold such drillg every Sunday. Failed to Aid Those Struggling in Sea. Herbert J. Putnam, third officer of the Titanic, bold of his failure to turn back the hfeboa& in which he and his passengers were idly drifting to at tempt the rescue of others when the Titanic went down.
 ShudderinS at the recollection, he said the cries for help made one long continuous moan" The passengers in sisted that to so back to aid them would mean thsir destruction, he said, 50 that after starting in the direction
 
 paitSd for the dawn. Twice he begged tO be spared a recitation of the facts, but Senator Smith pressed him.
 Photographers Elected.
 The importunities and activities of photographers today 30 aroused Sem stor Smith that he indignantly ordered them all excluded from the chamber.
 This inquiry is official and solemn" he said in explanation, and thsre will be DO hippodroning or comfnercia4iz1nS of it. 1 will not permit it."
 An amateur photograp managed to slip past the guard later. but he vas gummarilY 6fected when he sought to get snap of the scene.
 lsnay Refused Permission to Leave.
 J. Bruce Isn1ay. managing director Of the International Mercantile Marine and Vice President r. A. $. Franklin of the White Star line urgently re- duested the committee to permit them 10 return to New Y0Fk.
 In executive session at the close of the hearing the committee declined to allow either to leave Washington until he is Eo longer needed. MT. Isnay was to have been recalled to the witness chair today, but may be recalled to- morrow though that has not been de- ternined.
 l. was decided also to call no more passenger witnesses until all the Brit ish witnesses had been heard. The committee also decided 10 delay other important business before it until the Titanic inquiry had proceeded farther.
 CThe testimony in detail is printed ou pa ge twOA