The Detroit times., 1912-04-24
WOMEN SCRAMBLE
AGAIN FOR ENTRY
TO SHIP HEARING
Crowd Surges Into Entrance and
Doorkeeper Is Rushed Off
His Feet
ISMAY MAY ALSO TESTIFY
Toronto Man Says Lifeboats
Could Not Be Filled To Ca
pacity and Lowered
ISMAY MAY ALSO TESTIFY
OLYMPIC FIREMEN REVOLT.

OLYMPIC FIREMEN REVOLT. y
SOUTHAMPTON, April "a
The Olympic, sister ship Of the
lost Titanic, failed to leave her
berth on time for her trip 10
America because on hundred fire.
men fatty refused to ship on the
vessel unless the lifesavino ap-
paratur provided be augmented.
Forty-four solIapsible Iifeboats
had been added to the 16 wooden
boats carried by the Olympic.
These forty-four boats, the fire.
men declared weer unsafe, and
could not be handled quickly
enough to insure the saving Of
lives in the event OF accidents.
They demanded that the metal
boats be replaced with wooden
lifeboats.
The strike Of the firemen de-
layed the Olympic for some little
time. but the officers succeeded In
settling the difficulties, and the
big liner got away.
WASHINGTON, April 24.-The
worst crush since the beginning of
the senatorial investigation into the
sinking OF the Titanic occurred today.
A report that j. Bruce Ismay would
be called TO the stand was the magnet.
Scores of beautifully dressed women
stood for more than two hours in
front Of the committee room waiting
for the doors 10 be opened. The
crowd became so great that officers
threatened TO clear the corridors and
"A ~ In araf vAo
ed from the would-be spectators.
Il am the wife of Congressman-,"
a buxom woman shouted as she at
tempted to pass the doorkeeper. The
crowd surged after her and the door
keeper was carried of hisR fet Wo-
men scrambled into the committee
room, taking the seats that had been
reserved for the press. and even oc-
cupying those around the long table
where the investigators sat A squad
OF policemen had to be called In be-
fore they would yacate the seats they
had taken. Senator Smith was evi-
IDENTIFY disgusted with the conduct OF
the crowd and IL was deemed prob
able that even q smaller room would
be resorted TO and everyone excluded
except witnesses and members of the
prss.
Yesterday two women tainted in
the crush around the committee room.
As early as a. m. this morning, two
score capitol policemen were detailed
TO preserve order in the corridors,
even then rapidly filling with a NOR
bid crowd
Frederick Fleet. one OF the Titan
les lookouts, was the first witness.
He was called for eross-examination
on his story yesterday that the Off
.ers of the ill-fated liner did not fur
nish lookouts with binoculars.
lsmay was one of the first witnesses
10 make his appearance. He had
earnestly requested to be allowed to
testify today, insisting that his wife
was very i'll and that 1t was neces-
sary for him TO return to England
at once He promised to come back
TO Washington at any time he should
be summoned by the committee.
Throughout the hearing Ismay has
been the center OF all eyes. When
over ne enters the room, the specta-
tors jump to their feet and stare at
him Little attention is paid to other
witnesses, the majority OF the women
studying the features OF the steam
ship company's chief as be listens TO
the gruesome recital of the scenes
that attended the sinking OF the
Titanic.
Ismay hetrays little sign of emotion.
Usually he attempts TO screen himself
from the crowd behind Vice-President
Franklin and his attorneys. Almost
invariably his right hand rests on his
Continued ON Page Ten.