has long been recognized
that the modern passenger ship has nothing like adequate boat capacity.

"The Board of Trade has its own views, and the shipowners also have
their views, which are largely based upon the economical factor. The
naval architects have their opinions, but the practical merchant seaman
is not consulted.

"The Titanic disaster is a complete substantiation of the agitation that
our guild has carried on for nearly twenty years against the scheme that
has precluded practical seamen from being consulted with regard to boat
capacity and life-saving appliances.

HOUSE OF COMMONS INVESTIGATION

Immediate and searching inquiry into the Titanic disaster was promised
on the floor of the House of Commons April 18th, by President Sidney
Buxton, of the Board of Trade, which controls all sea-going vessels.

Buxton, in discussing the utterly inadequate life-saving equipment of
the big liner, declared that the committee of the board in charge of
life-saving precautions had recently recommended increased life-boats,
rafts and life-preservers on all big ships, but that the requirements
had been found unsatisfactory and had not been put in force. He frankly
admitted the necessity for increased equipment without delay.

The board, he said, was utterly unable to compel the transatlantic
vessels to reduce their speed in the contest for "express train" ships.
He also said the board could not force ships to take the southerly
passage in the spring to avoid ice.

The regulations under which the Titanic carried life-boat accommodations
for only about one-third of her passengers and crew had not been revised
by the committee since 1894. At that time the regulations were made for
ships of "10,000 tons or more." The Titanic's tonnage was 45,000, for
which the present requirements are altogether insufficient.

WORK OF RAISING RELIEF FUNDS PROMPT

Several foreign governments telegraphed to the British Government
messages of condolence for the sufferers. The King sent a donation of
$2625 to the Mansion House fund. Queen Mary donated $1310 and Queen
Alexandra $1000 to the same fund.

Oscar Hammerstein proffered, and the lord mayor accepted, the use of his
opera house for an entertainment in aid of the fund.

The Shipping Federation donated $10,500 to the Mayor of Southampton's
fund, taking care to explain that the White Star Line was not affiliated
with the Federation.

Some public institutions also offered to take ca