New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-03


committee OF the American Senate, but
would be conducted more IN accordance
with the procedure OF a court OF law. and
deal definitely with stated cases. Eight
questions SIR Rufus Daniel Isaacs sald
would relate 10 happenings before the
calamity; six to warnings given the Titanic
and the resulting precautions taken; ten
70 the casualty itself and consequent
events: one TO the equipment and construc-
ton OF the vessel. and the last TO the rules
OF the merchant shipping act.
The Twenty-six Questions.
The twenty-six questions to be asked the
witnesses are, In substance briefly stated,
as follows:
l. What were the numbers Of the passen-
gers ana crew their sex, and so tcTthF
. Did the Titanic comply with the re-
ourements Of the act applying to passen-
ger steamers?
3 Was there a special provision in the
design OF the vessel for safety.
4 Was the steamer fully Offered and
manned?
j. What was the number Of the lifeooats,
was the number sufficient and rad there
been boat drill?
6. Regarding the installation OF the wire,
Less system-was II in effective order and
what was the number Of wireless Ger
stcrs?
:. Were there any. and If so what. IN
structions given to the master regarding
ire navigation Of he steamer?
S What track was taken by the Titanic?
Was Il the one usually followed? Was the
track safe az that time Of the year? Dii
the mas ter have any discretion regarding
the track taken?
8. What information reached the Titanic
ot the existence of ice? Was the CO rse
altered in consequence Of this inf, rrnation?
y Was there a proper Lockout for lee
aYa5 er. drset I 3ss gwen to ysry he
speed? Were the directions carried cut?
H. Was there an equipment Of search
lights and binoculars? Was such equipment
necessary?
Y. What precautions were taken by the
Titanic when ice was met!
l3. DID any one see the reported ice be-
fore the casualty occurred? What me 's
Ures were taken 70 avoid the ice? Were
these measures proper?
II. What was the speed Of the vessel i'm
nlediately preceding the casualty? Was II
excessive under the circumstances?
Is. What was the nature Of the casualty
is. When the casualty occurred what steps
were taken Immediately: How long time
elapsed after the easpait We te ore its ser
then taken and what endeavors were made
20 save the lives Of those on board and 70
prevent the vessel sinking?
IL. was proper QlSClpllne MAINTAINED dIteT
the casualty?
IS. What messages asking assistance we're
sent out? What answers we're received?
10. What apparatus was there for lower
Ing the lifeboats7 What was ITS efficiency?
Did the boats get away under proper super
intendence? Were the boats properly
manned?
90 Did the Iifeboats prove efficient IN saw
ing life? What was the numl er Of pes
sengers and crew In each boat on leaving
he he m
with regard to the sex and class rating?
Did the boats carry full loads? If not. why
81. What were the numbers OF the passen-
gers Of the first, second and third class, re-
EFFECTIVELY. who were saved? What was the
number OF the crew saved. having regard
proportion Of the differ ent classes OF pas
sengers and the different grades. Of the
crew saved TO their total numbers on
boardp What reason was there for q dis
proportion, X such there was?
%. This question further develops points
covered In question No. q.
@. What were the Happenings on board
the liner after the casualty occurred up 70
the time she foundered? What was the
cause Of the loss Of the Titanic and the loss
of life that ensued?
a This question further develops the sub
feet OF question No d.
Is. What was the construction and what
was the adequacy Of the equipment of the
Titanic?
Dc. The final question constitutes a request
10 the court 10 report upon the rules and
regulations of the merchant shipping act
and to make recomnendatio ns WIN Ia view lew
sons at sea-
A twenty-foot model OF the Titanic, carry
sixteen miniature lifeboats. and big chart
of the North Atlantic were prominently
displayed before the investigators. In front
of the platform which they occupied were
seated one hundred members OF the bar.
representing various interests involved, and
one hundred representatives Of the press.
Sir Rufus announced feelngly:
desire on behalf OF the government. 10
express the deepest sympathy. for all those
who mourn the loss OF relatives and friends
crew OF the il-fated vessel. The accident
exceeded in magnitude and In narrowing
incidents any disaster in the history Of the
mercantile marine. J. cannot forDear pay
ing a tribute to those whose devotion 10
duty and heroic self-sacrifce maintained
the best traditions OF the sea.
Sir Robert Finlay, formerly Attorney
General and now chief counsel for the
White Star Steamship Company, seconded
these remarks. repeating that The dis
aster had given an opportunity for a dis
ulay Of heroism and devotion to duty which
mercantile marine" ,-
The only reference to the American in
yestigation was Sir Rufus's announcement
that owing TO the detention Of many wit
nesses for the Senate inquiry in the United
states the testimony would not be pre-
sented in a logical order
The seamen who arrived from New York
ON the steamer Lapland were called first
az witnesses TO the construction and equip
ment OF the Titanic Several lawyers rep
resentihg interested parties requested per-
mission 10 participate in the proceedings.
Lord Mercy recognized Thomas Seaman.
M. p. for North Sligo. who appeared for
the sesnlsns' and Firsnien's Union, and an
attorney for the Merchants Service Guild
and took under consideration tho appiica-
xoa tor representation OF the ssafarers'
ttaice. the Ship Constructors Association
and tie Mercantile Officers Union. An adj
$ournusnt was then taken.