Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-15
shows that 3,02s,46s passengers were
carried for each passenger lost.

shows that 3,02s,46s passengers were
carried for each passenger lost.
Under the rules of the Board of Sup
cruising Inspectors blue prints de-
scriptiye of the hull construction of
certain vessels are required to be filed
with the local inspectors having juris-
diction, but it is not at present re-
CURED that these blue prints be APP
proved by the local inspectors with
whom they are filed. The Supervising
Inspector General recommends that
there be stationed in his Office a corp
of experts whose business it would be
to approve the proposed hull construc-
ton. This would enable the Depart
ment to employ experts who are more
familiar with huh construction than
the local inspectors. and it would re-
suit in that uniform administration of
the law with which the Supervising
Inspector General is charged. To adopt
such a system would require the en-
actment of a statute giving this ex-
press authority to the Steamboat In
spection Service, and 1t would require
larger appropriation for the employ
ment of experts for the purpose
named
The Steamboat Inspection Service
travel by water safer, and the most
important thing to do is to make the
ship itself as nearly unsuitable as
possible. Having done this, it then be-
comes necessary to place on board the
vessel the proper equipment to take
care of those who travel on the ship,
and to see that the vessel is properly
manned, 1t is believed that the great
est peril which has to be met on board
ship is fire, and the Supervising In
spector General recommends that such
legislation be enacted as will require
fireproof construction, such as has
been tested with eminent success, on
all excursion steamers hereafter built
or contracted for.
The belief is expressed that the most
effective way to secure uniformity in
boiler construction is to require that
all boilers used on vessels subject to
inspection shall first be approved by
corps of experts in the office of the
Supervising Inspector General While
the inspectors In the field service have
done excellent work in this respect, it
nevertheless remains fact that this
Service itself must keep abreast Of the
most progressive business organiza-
| tons; and, therefore, the Bureau rec
ommends that the law be changed so
as to require the approval of the de-
sign of these boilers in the office of
the Supervising Inspector General.
With reference to boiler inspection,
amendment of the present law is rec
commended by the Supervising Inspec-
tor General so that the working pres
sure allowed steam boilers may be de-
termined by the rules OF the Board of
supervising Inspectors. The result of
such amendment would give the Board
of Supervising Inspectors that discre-
tionary authority for arranging for
boiler construction that the Board
should possess in order to make
its rules meet the best modern prac-
| tice.
A further amendment of the law is
also recommended so that the matter
OF the number of persons that shall be
carried on vessels may be more easily
Strong efforts have been made to
control as much as possible the mat
ter of the transportation of dangerous
articles on steamers carrying passen-
gers, but authority should be extended,
IN the opinion. of the Supervising In
spector General to give the Service
control and Jurisdiction over the trans
portation of dangerous articles on
steamers that do not carry passengers
While from the commercial standpoint
IT may be said that there are no pas
sengers on these freight vessels it is
nevertheless fact that the Govern
ment owes duty of protection to the
crews on these vessels. 1t 10 also none
the less fact that by the carrying Of
dangerous articles in dangerous
manner on steamers that are not car
rying passengers. the lives of those on
passenger carrying steamers may be
| jeopardized.