The Washington times., 1914-05-31
SASTER INCREASES
FRICTION IN SENATE
fety-at-Sea Convention Nay
1aiI of Ratification Through
empress Wreck.
By John SNURE.

By JOHN SNURE.
fhc disagreement in the Senate over
ratification Of the London safety at
,onvention will be greatly increased
am5ittered as the result of the re-
ht calamity. whereby a thousand
lls were lost in the Empress of Ire
ID disaster.
lready. before this disaster. there
The widest difference of opinion
er the ratification of this convention.
is difference extends to members of
Wilson Administration. NoW that
Empress of Ireland has gone to
bottom. the demand in the Senate
d in Congress generally for regula-
ms OF the utmost strictness locking
safety Of life at sea is enhanced
IS not unlikely that the outcome
ll be refusal by the Senate to ratify
London convention.
rhe London convention was neGotiat-
in part because of the Titanic dis
ter. II was a tardy response to the
neral demand for greater safety in
esn travel growing out of the> trag-
y. Nor was 1t by any means g COM
ete response The influence Of big
Tipping interests was felt on the con-
renee OF delegates who negotiated the
Invention. The American delegates
ere divided. some wanting strict reg
atoms and others standing for reg
atoms OF lax and Inadequate nature.
Furuseth Opposes.
The regulations Of the convention
ERE so far from being satisfact"i. 4"
kdrew F'uruseth. president # tine
te rns tional Seamen's Union. that he
ith drew from the congress ami re-
sed to have anything to do with it.
he convention is pending before the
oreiKn Relations Committee of the
Enate. and Mr.. Furuseth has made
hown his objections to that COM
Iittee.
IIt was because Of failure to make
toNisicn in the treaty in adequate
shion for the manning of lifeboats
ho the training Of crews that Mr.,
lurEseth- objected to the proceedings
the convention.
fThe Empress of Ireland accident is
|oked on by Mr.. Furuseth as proof
what he has all along contended.
|e holds that there was time to low
h the lifeboats of the stricken ves-
y bS4OIC euS uO"n IL
kd been crew sufficient in num-
Prs and adequately skilled. He points
|lt that in respect to manning and
kuipment, the Empress of Ireland
las up to the standard set by the
oudc- congress on safety at sea.
he fact the vessel sank within
bort distance from shore. in his
bate and that the steamer was un-
kTmsnned.
Senator Lewis Views. I
M Furuseth's views are not shared
y other American delegates TO the
Senator James Hamilton
.ewis was one of the delegates. He
kinks proper provision for a fog pa
rol would have averted the Empress
Z Ireland disaster. Chairman Alex
nder. OF the House Committee on
ferchant Marine. on the other hand,
lon were in effect il would greatly
nC-ease the safety of ocean travel
nd might have lessened the loss in
bis accident, though he doubts II any
". however competent, would have
e. n able to save anything like all
h passengers.
T ne view is that regulations should
D stop in fog. This regulation would
9 difficult Of enforcement. II is shown
{ the Empress of Ireland had stop
e and was rammed by the Norwe-
in collier regardless either of that
z -; or of warnings The view of Super
o ng Inspector General George Uhler
: that vessels should be compelled to
J" TO in foss, but he is aware that the
] eed mania of passengers and their
. rnand to reach port in quick time is in
ts way of the adoption of such a re-
u cement
La Follette Bill Held Up.
very time there is q calamity at sea,
heavy loss of life, the demand for
'cter regulations is felt in Congress
the influence OF shipping interests
potent. They are continually fighting
sainst stringent requirements Not
~ y was there strong opposition in the
ndon conference TO strict regulations,
Z the shipping interests have fought
u d against the La Toilette seamen's
MS bill is intended 10 enhance safety
% far as American vessels are concern
r and would have some tendency TO
80 as 10 foreign ships. The bill has
6 SSeo the Senate, but is hung Up in
House in q subcommittee Of the
oIse Merchant Marine Committee. IL
doubtful II it will be allowed to pass
session, and If II goes over this
-siOn to the short session, il may be
aten in this Congress. The American
ieration Of Labor is fighting for il,
! the feeling caused by the Empress
Ireland loss will tend to strengthen
movement for the bill At best,
Wever, il has a hard road ahead. Sen
p- La Toilette keeps ha mmering away
the men and interests that are block
. the bill. but the Democratic leaders
the House have not included il in the
~ Of bills which must be given the
ght Of way before adjournment