The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-18
LITTLE CHANCE TO
RECOVER DAMAGE:
White Star Company Can Es-
cape Payment il 1t Wishes
to Do So.
EASILY WITHIN THE LAW
Where Vessel IS Totally Dc
stroycd Recovery Is
Barred.
EASILY WITHIN THE LAW
Especial TO The Tlnes.Dispa,ch

Especial TO The Times Dispatch.l
Ne" YORK, April ia well known
admiralty lawyer says: The Titanic
was under British registry. The Brit
ish Board or Trade viii accordingly
conduct an inquiry as 20 blame for II
tan!c disaster
This inquiry VIII probably take two
courses: o. Whether previous expert
ehce of the Carrnania and knowledge
OF the unusiial lee conditions this
year should not have led the Titanic
to take more southcriy route, 90
whether the Titanic officers used the
THERMOMETERS with sufficient care in
view OF the frost haze which usually
accompanies icebergs and whether the
Titanic was proceeding "a, reduced
speed.
Vessels under British registry arc
not subject to United States inspection
laws at present As consequence,
no American action can at present DO
taken TO increase their safety equip
ment Congress could take action
barring such vessels from American
ports.
According to British laws, vessels
OF over 10000 tons capacity must have
minimum number of sixtecn davited
lifeboats with minimum cubic feet
capacity Of $500 IN all. IL these are
insufficient TO carry all persons, In
GLIDING passengers and crew. at one
time in case of accident, the law re-
Quircs that there must lie minimum ad
dit!onal lifeboats and rats of &c per
cent. OF this capacity, or 1880. making
strictly legal requirements of $3.50
cubic feet
British Board of Trade rules that
each adult must have ten cubic feet
of space IN the lifeboat. SO that the
Titanic or any o,hsr vessel, OF over
10000 tons capacity. was within the
1ltt fnhn AIi a.,
feet, or room for e75 persons only. This
accounts for the saving of less than
1000 OF the THAMES passengers and
crew.
The White Star Line. by instItuting
limited liability proceedings in this
country can prevent recovery here OF
any damages for loss Of life or prop
crty. These proceedings limit the re-
covery to certain percentage OF the
value OF the vessel saved. In case
the vessel is totally destroyed. recov-
cry is barred
One who wishes damages should
retain counsel In New York and for
ward hia claim TO England. In Eng
land, provided the validity OF certain
tablished by judicial decision. maxi
mum OF 100000 can be recovered
from the THAMES owners.
III the White Star Line establishes
the validity OF It's passenger ticket
clauses IN court. nothing can be re-
covered.
The most recent White Star Line
accident wes that OF tho Republic and
the Florida. There has never been "A
judicial decision as 10 who was at
fault. BY compromise. about SIS per
cent of tho tota! value OF the Florida.
or $4,000. was divided among inno-
cent third party claimants, consisting
OF passenger claims. loss OF life per-
eonal injury, lost personal property
and baggage, United States govern
msnt's claims for loss OF supplies
destined FOR the bartlcships feet Then
on cruise around the world, and other
cargo owners,
Tho Whits Star Line heaviest los
ers OF all. as owners OF the Republic,
sure ndArcd ali claims against the
Florida by the compromise. This ad-
mIts that both owners were at fault.
The claims of personal representatives
OF tho Republics deceased passengers
and of lost property were dropped, as
Il was found that only 80 cents on
tho dollar could be obtained after pro-
longed litigation"