ny other
luxuries with which the Titanic was provided. The comparatively few
survivors of the ill-fated Titanic were saved by the life-boats. The
hundreds of others who went down with the vessel perished because there
were no life-boats to carry them until rescue came.

SURVIVORS URGE REFORM

The survivors urge the need of reform. In a resolution drawn up after
the disaster they said:

"We feel it our duty to call the attention of the public to what we
consider the inadequate supply of life-saving appliances provided for
the modern passenger steamships and recommend that immediate steps
be taken to compel passenger steamers to carry sufficient boats to
accommodate the maximum number of people carried on board. The following
facts were observed and should be considered in this connection: The
insufficiency of life-boats, rafts, etc.; lack of trained seamen to man
same (stokers, stewards, etc., are not efficient boat handlers);
not enough officers to carry out emergency orders on the bridge and
superintend the launching and control of life-boats; the absence of
search lights.

"The Board of Trade allows for entirely too many people in each boat to
permit the same to be properly handled. On the Titanic the boat deck was
about seventy-five feet from the water and consequently the passengers
were required to embark before lowering the boats, thus endangering the
operation and preventing the taking on of the maximum number the
boats would hold. Boats at all times should be properly equipped with
provisions, water, lamps, compasses, lights, etc. Life-saving boat
drills should be more frequent and thoroughly carried out and officers
should be armed at both drills. There should be greater reduction of
speed in fog and ice, as damage if collision actually occurs is liable
to be less.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE RECOMMENDED

"In conclusion we suggest that an international conference be called to
recommend the passage of identical laws providing for the safety of all
at sea, and we urge the United States Government to take the initiative
as soon as possible."

That ocean liners take chances with their passengers, though known to
the well informed, is newly revealed and comes with a shock of surprise
and dismay to most people. If boats are unsinkable as well as fireproof
there is no need of any life-boats at all. But no such steamship has
ever been constructed.

That it is realized that life-boats may be necessary on th