New-York tribune., 1912-04-18
SENATE QUICK TO
ACT ON DISASTER
Decides to investigate at Once
the Cause of the Great
Loss OF Life.
OTHER BILLS IN CONGRESS
Many Measures to Prevent Siml-
lar Calamities at Sea Of
fered and Action Will
Be Prompt.
rrrom The Tribune Bureau

Washington, April 11.-Presioent TAFT
held his FIRST conference regarding the dis
sster to the Titanic early this nornins
when he discussed with the Secretary of
the Treasury the advissbility Of sending
revenue cutters to meet the Carpathia,
what facilities could be afforded to repre-
sentatives Of the press and what If any
assistance could be given by the govern
nent 10 the survivors. IT was decided that
as the scout. cruisers Salem and Chester
would CONVOY the Carpathia and as none
of the revenue cutters could keep pace
with that ship it would be both unneces'
sary and i1npraoticabie 10 use cutters as
an escort.
From the Secretary Of the Navy tho Pres
tdent learned the plans made TO relay wire
less, messages from the Carpathia. and
which provide that the Chester shall pro-
ceed 10 the side of the Carpathia and take
messages from her. transmitting them tow
ard land and that the Salem shall pick mp
such messages and relay them 10 land the
vessels keeping a suitable distance epart
until New York Harbor is approached
Measures in Congress,
In Congress various measures growing
oat of the disaster we're presented. sena-
providing for sn immediate investigation
of the cause Of the great loss Of life This
was Immediately reported fsvoratly by the
Committee on Commerce and UNANIMOUSLY
nsssed bv the Senate Senator Marines
resolution requesting the President to un-
dsrtage negotiations with foreign nations
with view 10 devising precautions against
a repetition Of the disaster viii probably
hV HOfaigu
lstions Committee without delay. Senator
psrkins introduced bill providing that
all vessels carrying passengers must pro-
vide lifeboats su&cient 20 accommodate
their human complement at one time
ana for drastic methods of inspection. This
wss referred to the Commerce Committee.
Tn the House nine bills and resolutions
were introduced, all proposing changes IN
era Axistinr etstuteR to the end that the
lives Of travellers by sea may ne turther
safeguarded.
Compared with the problem presented by
the sinking Of the Titanic, with the ap-
Railing loss Of life. all other legislative
questions dwindled into insignihcance. For
The moment, all thought of political contro-
versv was put aside and interest in the
ordinary affairs of the nation gave way to
the determination 10 take all possible steps
70 prevent a repetition of the tragedy
which has been upperrnost in the minds 'ot
Senators for the last three days.
The Senate Committee on Commerce VIII
nest to-Ynorrow 70 arrange a plan for the
Investigation ordered by the Senate today.
Such witnesses az may shed any hight on
,he sinking Of the ship or on the PROB
isrrs OF protecting ocean travellers from
,ha pArils OF the sea viii be summoned
bsforA IN. subcommittee which probably
will be directed TO make the investlsauoh'
II nossible officers OF the Titanic VINO
have hsen saved VIII be called and authorl-
ties in maritime engineering and eonstruc-
,ion will be asked 10 suggest means by
which ike disasters may be avoided
Provisions Of Perkins Bill
senator Psrkins'g bill. which suggests a
rosthod Of safeguarding human life on the
high seas. will probably be considered %
he committee in connection with the ~
vestHation. This provides, among other
things. Cthat every steamer navigating tne
ocesn sailing from and clearing any port oil
the United States and every steamer nsFl-
zat,ne any lake. hay or sound Of the United
states. shall. in addition 10 being provided
and Aouipped with such floats. life preserN-
arg Iine.carrying projectiles and the means
of propelling them. and drags as will, IN
the opinion OF the board of supervising IN
spectors, best secure the safety of all per-
sons on board such vessels in case of dis
ster be provided and equipped with SUI
Acient number Of seaworthy~ lifeboats TO
transport and carry At one time eyery'pas-
senser and every member Of the crew upon
such vessel"
The bin also provides that every steamer
must obtain certificate Of inspection be-
fore sailing. and that every captain or re-
sponsible agent owner or charterer OF ships
vho violates the provisions Of the law may
be sentenced to NOT exceeding ten years
Imprisonment at hard labor. --t
( Although the United States has certain
alritdiction over all vessels entering and
clearing its ports and can impose restric-
lions designed 10 prevent such disaster
as occurred in the case of the Titanic,
widely experienced Senator's mink the prob
len, can best be solved by the cooperation
Of all maritime nations, The way for this
is opened by the resolution requesting the
President TO negotiate with these nations
With a view 10 a maritime conference The
Foreign Relations Committee probably will
report favorabiy a resolution based on the
MARITIME measure, laying stress on the ne
oessity Of marking out the lanes of travel
In the Atlantic particularly. and formulat-
ing regulations 10 minimize the possibility
Of accident which shall Re observed by all
nations.
House Committee to Investigate.
simultaneously with the introduction Of
ths nine bills and resolutions in the House
Chairman Alexander Of the Committee on
Merchant Marine and Fisheries announced
construction OF the Mauretanis and Lusi-
that the committee viii conduct an in
vestigation Of the cause Of the sinking of
the Titanic with a view 20 proposing lsgis-
lation 20 prevent such catastrophies here
after. Mr.. Alexsnder said the committee
would summon sevsraL survivors Of the
ship and would obtain AT first hand an
explanation OF why so many lives were
lost
Following this investigation. the commit
tee probably will prepare substitute bill
for all Of those offered TO-DAY.
Preliminary 20 the report Of bill re-
al,iring more stringent inspection Of the
lifesaying devices OF steamers using United
States ports Mr.. Alexander introduced two
Joint resolutions to-day. one directs the
President to urge the cooperation Of all
maritime nations in estsblishing .patrel
Of the North Atlantic during the season Of
danger from icehergs The other directs
the President to invite all other nations 70
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