New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-04-26

Washington. April 25.-Mr. MarconI, who
was the first witness called by the Titanic
investigating committee to-day, explained
the contracts Of his company with foreign
governments. 1t would take. he said. at
least eighteen years 10 carry out the con-
tract for the extension Of wireless i'm the
British Empire. Tho company had the eK-
elusive right 10 equip the British wireless
stations, 80 far "a the courts protected its
patents in England" German ships and
stations he said. We're controlled by
company working I'm harmony with the
Msrconi company. which received per-
centage for its patents. The contract with
Italy was a personal one with which the
company had nothing to dc
How far could tho station at Cape Race
maintain communication with a vessel?"
asked Senator Smith
Between 900 and 80 miles in the day"
answered Marconi "snd considerably over
go miles at night"
Mr. Marconi said the apparatus on the
steamer Mount Temple had only To-mle
radius.
Senator Smith asked Mr.. Marconi II there
was any arrangement which gave an alarm
said that on old equipment used on ships
there was a bell arrangement, which did
not work we'll because 1t alarmed operators
on all ships. as well as the one called.
Then there is no alarm signal on instru-
ments now?
mo, but it may be possible to devise
one"
Then, unless an operator sits constantly
with his receiver on his head he would not
get signalT'
That is correct
Then ships should have operators con-
tinuously on duty. you think
Yes, If the wireless is to be of service
to others. as in cases of distress
Mr.. Marconi said that in England the
! pay OF wireless operators ranged from 81
TO sl2 a week. with board and lodging
Wages in America were slightly higher
First knowledge Of Sinking.
Mr.. Marconi said he learned between 7:3o
and o'clock Monday evening. April Is,
that the Titanic had sunk. His secretary
! had informed him. He learned on Tuesday
evening about the rescue made by the Car
| pathia.
81 asked for further information" said
the witness, "and was told by my operator
! that it would probably be impossible, be-
cause the Carpathia would be extremely
| busy with the messages OF the captain and
the passengers aboard
He made no further attempt TO reach the
| Carpathia, he said, because he did not care
| TO exercise his authority TO interfere with
| the operation of the wireless
when the Carpathia locked in New
York" Mr.. Marconi continued Il went d.
rectly to the wireless room and congratu-
lated Bride, the Titanic's operator. on what
he had done. Gotham. the Carpathia' s
| operator, was not there. He called me
| later on the telephone and asked me
whether he might give out report Of the
wreck. / told him he might do so. under
| the circumstances.
Mr.. Marconi added that there was an
| ironclad rule in his company's regulations
| prohibiting operators from acting as re-
porters. He said that under the British
,aw II was a penal offence for an operator
! IN send out any information on his own
| initiative. This, he said, probably was tho
| reason why no reports Of the disaster We're
forthcoming from the Carpathia on her
way TO New York after rescuing the Ii
,anic's survivors.
Did you send wireless to the operator