Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-05-02
TITANIC DISASTER
INVESTIGATION
OPENS IN
LONDON
Imposing Array Of British
Lawyers Present at Initial
Session Of Board Of Trade
Inquiry.
GLOWING TRIBUTE TO
HEROIsM OF SAILORS

tny Eveaias Herald A. r. Leases wfrel
London, May 2.--Isord Mersey Ia his
capacity a. wreck commissioner. and
FIVE assessors who will advise him In
his questioning on the technicalities
Of nautical Affairs, today held the flrst
session OF the board OF trade inquiry
into the loss OF the White star
steamer Titanic.
In point OF interest to the public,
and the Importance Of It's results on
the lawr governing the mercantile
marine, the investigation promises 20
overshadow all previous tribunals of a
similar character
From the twenty-slx questions
which the attorney general announced
would be taken ~ Il became evident
the Inquiry would cover practically
the same sround as the Investigation
by the cummlltee OF the American
senate out would be conducted more
in accordance With she procedure Of a
court of Law and deal definitely with
stated cases.
Elaht Questions. Sir Rufus Daniel
Isaaca eaid would relate TO happen
inay before tEe casualty; six to warn
lnae eiyen 70 the Titanic and the re-
sultlng prosecutions taken; ten to the
casualty slselt and consequent events,
one 20 the equipment and cOnstruc-
tiOn Of the vessel; and the last to the
rules az the merchant shipping act.
a twenty-foOt model OF the Titanic
carrying sixteen miniature life boats
and big chart OF the North Atlantic
we're prominently displayed before the
investigators. IN front OF the plat
form which they occupied were seat
ed 100 members OF the bar represent
ing various interests Involved and lGO
newspaper men.
Tho only reference TO the American
Investigation was sir Rufus an
nounoemept that owins 10 tho doten-
tion Of many witnesses for the sena-
torial inquiry In the United States the
testimony would not be presented In
a logical order.
The seamen who arrived from New
York on the LaplaRd first were called
as witnesses as 10 the construction
and equipment OF the Titanic.
Lord Mersey recognized Thomas
scani0n, member OF parliament for
the north division Of sligo. who APP
paGfed for the Seamen's and Fire.
Merchants Service Guild and took
under consideration the application
for representation OF the Seafarers
union, the ship CONSTRUCTORS associa-
ti0n and the Mercantile officers union.
The scene OF the hearing WAS the
armory OF the scottish Rifles. which
with It's broad drlll floor with two
rows Of galleries, affords accommo-
datlons for several hundred persons.
When the inquiry opened not more
than lee spectators were present and
the majority OF these were women.
Because the acoustics proved 90 be
POOR Lord Mersey recommended that
the board OF trade provide another
room.
sir Rufus said during the hearing:
II desire on behalf OF the govern
mont to express the deepest aym-
pathy for an those who mourn the
loss Of relatives and friends among
The passenRera. the officers and crew
OF the ili-fated vessel. The accident
exceeded IN magnitude and IN har-
rowing incidents any disaster Ia the
history OF the mercantile marine.
cannot forbear passing a tribute 20
those whose devotion to duty and
heroic self-sgcFlhce maintained the
beat traditions Of the sea-
Sir Robert Finlay. chief counsel
for the white star steamship com-
pans seconded these remarks, re-
peating that "the disaster had given
an opportunity for display OF hero
ism and devotion 10 duty which had
maintained the best traditions OF the
mercantile marine"