The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-22
TO AVOID ALARM
Vice President of International
Marine Mercantile Company
Saws He Asked to Have Reports
of Disaster Held Up.
BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE
He Gives Details of How InfOr-
nation Was Given Out.
Ismay Sits and Draws Sketches
of White Star Flag.

dent p. A. s. Franklin, OF the Interna-
tionaI Mercantile Marine company,
told the senate investigation commit
tee today how he had asked to have
the earlier reports of the Titanic dis
aster held up to avoid unnecessary
alarm. He denied any knowledge of
the message addressed to Representa-
tive Hughes of West Virginia about the
ships being towed to Halifax, and
gave other details. Senator VIM. AL
den Smith of Michigan presided.
After denying that officials of the
White Star line had any knowledge
of misleading telegram to Mr..
Hughes it was acknowledged by Mr..
Franklin that he had issued reassur-
Ing statements when he had no facts
on which to base them. The witness
read from a great sheaf of wireless
kilograms received Wednesday morn
ing None of them contained any in
formation of value, but it was on these
data that the line issued it's statement
in an effort. said Mr. Franklin, to re-
assure inquirers.
Later. when the news came, he said,
he sent Immediately for the reporters
and proceeded to begin reading TO
them the long Marconigrams from the
Carpathia, giving the grewsome news
in considerable detail
Il began TO read:
' Titanic went down this morning
at 2:20,' and then 1 looked up" said
Mr. Franklin. There was not re-
porter in the room. They were all
racing for telephones to get the news
out to the world
Bit by bit Mr.. Franklin contributed
to the evidence the senate is seeking
to throw light on the catastrophe that
sunk the Titanic, sent almost 1,6OO
persons to their death anC plunged the
world into mourning.
In New Caucus Room.
The inquiry christened the luxuri-
Gus caucus room of the senate, regard
ed as perhaps the handsomest legfsIa-
tive hearing room in the world In
its center sat the subcommittee with
VIM Alden Smith of Michigan presid-
ing. Jammed about the long table
which the committee occupied were
witnesses and spectators. Among
them were senators and representa-
tives and their wives, Baron Won Hen
geI-Muller. the Austrian ambassador,
and other Representatives of diplomat
ic and official circles, and many Wom-
en-. mostly drawn from the national
gathering of the Daughters of the
American Revolution.
Hours before the resumption of
the inquiry crowds swarmed tc
the senate Office building and
made a rush for the caucus room
Hundreds were women, and as in the
Titanic disaster, it was women first
who were admitted to the hearing. Cap
itol police admitted to the hearing. Cap
and by 10 o'clock there were no avail
able seats and standing room was ex-
hausted, even senators and representa-
tives who sought places of vantage for
their families were unsuccessful. VIII
liam Alden Smith. chairman of the
subcommittee, reached the building
late and went into conference with
Senators Newlands, Burton, Perkins
Simons and Fletcher.
Ismay Not Recognized.
]. Bruce Ismay arrived with P. a.
6. Franklin and had difficulty getting
in. He identified himself to a police |
officer and was ushered into seats re-
served for witnesses.
BY the time the senators were ready |
to proceed there was great confusion
Many of the crowd turned away, went i
to the other rooms in the senate off1c |
building and climbed out on balconies |
Then when the great French windows |
of the hearing room were opened they |
climbed to the ratings to look over the |
heads of the crowd within.
Mr.. Ismay. as he sat talking to his |
attorney c. c. Burlingame and Vice |
President Franklin, appeared wan anc |
hagsard.
After Senator Smith had cautioned |
the crowd against demonstration J. S |
Foxhau, fourth officer of the Titanic |
the disaster, was called as the first |
witness.
There had been a long delay before |
the first witness took the stand. Mr. |
Ismay seated at the end of the long |
table, chatted with ]. P. Kierlein, one |
of the officials of the White Star line |
necessarily he drew upon a sheet OF |
paper he had taken from the press
table. The sketch was always the
White Star flag, such a flag as was
flown at the peak of the Titanic.
Mr.. Franklin was questioned closely /
regarding the efforts of the White
Star line to obtain definite news OF
the Tltanic's sinking. He said tha-
the following wireless message finally
was received from the Olympic on
April Is.
The First News.
Partisan reports Carpathia in at. |
tendance. picked up 20 boats with pas
sengers and Baltic returning. Position
not given.-Haddock, Olympic"
The reassuring statement sent OFT
by the line in the early hours of the
disaster next were made the subject
of inquiry.
Tell the committee on what you
based those statements?'' directed
Smith.
I'VE based them on reports and ru-
mors received at Cape Race by indi-
viduals and by the newspapers. They
our finger on anything authentic"
Had you heard from the Carpathia
at that time -
NO. sir
Mr.. Franklin declared the Olympic
was sent this message:
'Haddock, Olympic: Rumored here
sunk. Can not confirm here