Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-17
STEPS TAKEN FOR
SAFETY At SEA
International Conference of Mari.
time Nations Will Be Held
in London.

Washington. April 16.-The frightful
lesson of the Titanic, which went down a
year ago, has not been lost upon the feder-
al government. This is evident in a long
letter written by Secretary OF Commerce
Redf1eld to Senator Fletcher Of Florida.
The letter was sent In reply to an in
done in the year that has elapsed since the
accident in the way Of promoting safety
for life at sea, and particularly in regard
to the calling of an international con-
ference, as suggested by Congress.
Secretary Redield says that after infor.
nal consultation London has been decided
upon as the most suitable place for the
holding of the conference Of maritime
nations. BY common consent the British
government will take the lead in determin-
Ing the date of the conference which
probably will be late In the coming sum
mer
This conference was called as the re-
suit of a joint resolution introduced In
Congress by Chairman Alexander OF the
House merchant marine and fisheries com.
mitt few days after the sinking OF the
Titanic. The object Of the conference is
for the maritime nations to agree upon
rules and regulations for the safeguard
ing Of life at sea.
Secretary Redfeld says preparations for
the conference have advanced so far that
the British government has proposed an
informal consultation in London in June
or July between representatives, of the
technical committee that work in Great
Britain and experts who will be qualified
to express the views obtaining in the
United States, Secretary Redfield express
es confidence that Congress at an early
date will make available sufficient funds
to enable the United States to participate
in this preliminary conference Secretary
Redfleld points out that his resolution
adopted by the American Congress has
been the basis Of action at home and has
helped to shape the course of events in
foreign nations.
In his letter Mr. Red6ed says In part
Nearly two million passengers cross
the Atlantic annually to and from the
United States and by far the greater
part of these are either American citi-
zens or those who seek to take up their
homes here. Tho American delegates to
an International conference must meet the
most highly trained minds of Europe or
the subject Of ship construction, which Is
OF direct interest TO our people. / am
sure, therefore. that II IL prudent TO en-
deavor to secure now the strongest pos
sibe American advisory committee on this
phase Of the subject I wish to organize
committee on which shall be represented
the American Society OF Naval Architect.
and Marine Engineers, the American So
ciety Of Naval Engineers and the tcchni-
cal schools which DER instruction in naval
architecture and marine engineering such
as the Massachusetts Institute OF Tech.
nology, the University II Michigan, the
Leland Stanford University, Cornell Uni
versity and the Stevens Institute OF Tech.
noogy
Il have also requested the principal
ship building companies which build ocean
passenger steamers to suggest TO me the
names Of the most competent to express
the Views of shipbullding on this subject.
The American passenger ship owners on
the Atlantic and Pacific respectively have
been asked to name those most competene
10 express their views, and ! have also
Invited WI liam Livingstone, president OF
the Lake Carriers association. TO suggest
a name that will carry authority through
out the marine interests Of the great
lakes"
In referring to the steps that have al
ready been taken toward the safeguard
ing Of life as the result Of the Titanic
disaster, Secretary Redheld calls atten-
ton to the acts passed by Congress con
corning radio telegraphy. These acts es-
tablished tho principles of a constant wire
less watch on ocean passenger steamships.
Since these laws were passed 81 countries
have approved the principle of n constant
wireless watch as the measure Of inter
national regulation, Other countries also
have adopted the principle proclaimed in
the law passed by Congress requiring
auxiliary apparatus for use In the event
of the failure of the ships main power
plant.
The secretary also calls attention to the
fact that two new United States revenue
cutters have been despatched 10 the
North Atlantic to maintain n patrol north
of the spring and summer steamship
tracks and to give wireless notice OF perils
from lea