New Britain herald., 1916-04-28
LUSITANIA WIDOW
 SUES FOR $75O,O00
That Is Value Of Husbands Life
 to Louisville Woman

New York, April 28.-The first suit the Cunard liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915, was filed yesterday in the ad- miralty branch of the federal district court by A. Gordon Murray of 68 Will liam street, acting on behalf of Mrs. Mary Davis Hopkins of Louisville Ky, whose husband, Albert Lloyd Hopkins, president of the Newport News Shipbuilding company, lost his life when the vessel was torpedoed off the Irish coast by a German subma- rine. Mrs. Hopkins sues the Cunard line for $750,OO0 for the loss of her husbands life.
 Mrs Hopkins asks the court to re- pany did not take proper precautions to safeguard the vessel in the war zone and that the liner was exposed to additional danger because she only went at half speed, when full speed would have helped to carry her past the danger lurking in her path It is also asserted in the complaint that the Lusitania at the time she was torpe doed was not following the prescribed SO LII SS SSI bON II Uy lIlc DIllISll otulllii alty for vessels plying between New York and Liverpool. Instead, the complaint alleges the Lusitania was steered through region marked out by the German government and known to be infested with hostile craft.
 The complaint also sets up that the Lusitania was, considering the cir o,1 oocfor at hn hnir gated 'imprudently and negligently."
 Questions for C1nard Line.
 Mrs. Hopkins asws the court to re- quire the Cunard line to answer upon oath certain interrogations, which in- clude these questions:
 Was there in force in May, 1915, on agreement between the British government and the defendant line pretending a subsidy by the Brit ish government in the building and operation of the steamship Lusitania or any agreement for indemnity to the owners of the vessel for loss or dam age arising by reason of the war?
 Was the commander of the Lus1- tania under any instruction from re- sponsible officers, agents or servants of the Cunard line as to her course, conduct and speed?
 ''Was the company by any act Of defense of government bound to cause it's steamships, including the Lusit- ania, to be operated according to the orders or direction of the British ad- miralty?
 What notice, actual or construct i've, did the steamship company give to the travelling public that it's board of directors had instructed the cap- tain of the Lusitania not to use full boiler power and speed
 As personal counsel for Mrs. Hop kins Warren c. Van Slyck of 32 Nas- sau street some time ago brought sllt against the Connecticut Life Insurance company to collect $40,000 insurance on her husbands life. The action was dismissed bv Justice Shearn, who ruled that the company was relieved of it's responsibility when MT. Hopkins signed a war rider" prior to going abroad.
 Appeal was taken in that case and the hearing is set for May 5.
 A. Gordon Murray said last night
 "This is a bonafide suit, not insti- gated by any one outside Mrs. Hop- kins' family. Mrs. Hopkins did not attend the meeting of Lusltanla sur yivors on Wednesday and has no con- nection with them. She has not been approached with any offer to settle the suit for $50,000 or any such sum- When the case comes up she intends to push it.