The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-05-30
TO CRITICIZE
SMITH AND |SMAY
REPORT OF SENATE iNvESTiGA.
TON OF TITANIC
DISASTER.
D HEED WARNINGS
Senator Raynor and Senator Smith
Have Set Speeches on the Lessons
Tauaht ~ cemmsres ~ Sink
Ing OF White Star Liner.

Washington, d. G. - The senate
committee on considered
the report on the Titanic disaster
which will be submitted to the senate
Tuesday.
1t will be an arraignment of the con-
ditions under which the vessel swept
along through the iceberg area to her
doom with its immense loss Of life.
The report was framed largely by
Senator William Alden Smith of Mich
igan, the chairman of the subcommit-
tee that conducted the investigation.
During the subcommittee discussion
there were some notifications Of or
iginal draft along the lines OF more
conservative deductions.
1t is understood the report will Sc
verely criticize Captain Smith of the
Titanic as mainly responsible for the
disaster, because of failure to heed
the warning Of other vessels; the
British board of trade for law inspec-
ton; j. Bruce Ismay, who vas a pas
senger; and will point to the lack of
discipline In the time of danger.
kdpIdlu LOIu Vi me IdlllOIHidu Will
figure In the responsibility because of
failure to take necessary steps when
nea the Titanic, whose rocket signals
Of distress were e en aboard the Calf
fornian. Congress will be asked to
reward Captain Rostron Of the ship
Carpathia.
A general bill is being drafted by
Senator Smith, which along with other
measures already framed in the SEN
ate and the house, will be considered
by the m committee and re-
duce to concrete legislation to meet
the lessons drawn from the disaster.
The report will criticize the lack of
drills and tests aboard the Titanic
the speed maintained at the time Of
the accident, the failure of the steam
ship company to provide the Titanic
with glasses for the lookouts and with
searchlights, the failure to give gen.
eral warning to the passengers after
the vessel had struck an iceberg with
an impact, estimated at the combined
force Of the broadsides Of a score Of
the largest guns used by the navy, and
the White State Line company for
its course as to giving out information
on Monday of the disaster.
With some notifications, in view Of
the excitement, 1t will criticize the in
difference of some of those aboard the
lifeboats toward those struggling in
the water in view of the fact which
the evidence showed, that the life
boats which could have taken care of
1,176 people. only carried 704.
The report will advocate more life
boats, more extensive wireless appa-
ratus and other equipment. The COM
mittee will urge definite international
understanding looking to greater safe
ty at sea. Two set speeches on the
disaster will follow the presentation
of the report. Senator Smith will
make a speech on the subject and
Senator Rayner of Maryland will dis
cuss THE Lessons Taught Congress
and the People OF the Titanic Dis
aster."
Washington, ID. c. - Informal con
~ferences among Republican and Demo
cratic senators made an adjournment
OF congress before the national party
conventions in June at least a posi-
bility.
Plans were tentatively agreed upon
to have the senate meet at IL O'Clock
in the morning beginning next Mon.
day and to hold night sessions If
necessary to dispose of the congestion
of business.
Republican leaders, favored meeting
at 10 o'clock and said that II senators
could agree to disagree on many i'm
portant matters and to have night
sessions with the senate keeping
right I o business" the calendar could
be cleared of all important measures
Senator Simmons of North Caro-
lima, said that a vote on the metal
bill was certain before the end OF nexI
week.
The senate and house committee:
on the three-year homestead bill
agreed and the bill will be reported
to both houses for final action. I'm
der the agreement the bill would re
duce the required residence of tn,
entrymen upon these homesteads from
Ave to three years; the entrymen mus
have one-sixteenth Of the homestead
under cultivation by the end of thu
second year, and one-eighth at thu
end of the third year, and until fna
proof is made. The entrymen MAJ b
absent Ave months of each e