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The Inquiry

© Neal West

William Alden Smith, Senator from Michigan, was as appalled as everyone when he learned of the "Titanic" disaster. But being a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, he was in a position to do something about it. Smith was a successful lawyer and businessman who, though nominally republican, had often took on causes that were not politically favorable. He had frequently battled powerful interests when pushing legislation regulating railroad companies and setting safety practices. One of those powerful interests was J.P. Morgan, and when Smith learned of the link between Morgan, the International Merchantile Marine and the White Star line, his interest was peaked. A quick perusal of the existing regulations governing the North Atlantic shipping lines showed that what regulations there were were woefully inadequate. Smith also was anti-monopolist, and was suspicious of Morgan's attempt to corner the Atlantic Ocean Liner trade. Smith's experience with the railroads showed that the powerful companies often minimized safety in order to maximize profit.

The first witness to testify was J. Bruce Ismay, president of the White Star Line. Smith's aim was to ascertain what effect, if any, Ismay had on Capt. E.J. Smith's decision to maintain full speed into an ice field even though he knew there was ice in the area. Ismay was not very helpful; even though he was president of the company, he claimed ignorance of practically every aspect of the ship, from the number of watertight compartments to how long it took to swing out a lifeboat. He did however testify to two important points, one, that "Titanic" was making 75 (propeller) revolutions per minute (about 24 miles an hour) and that he did not pressure Capt. Smith to maintain full speed. Ismay's claim, however, is refuted by Mrs. Elizabeth Lines, who overheard Ismay talking with Capt. Smith on Saturday the 13th. According to Mrs. Lines, Ismay told Smith: "Well we made a better run today than yesterday. We will make a better one tomorrow (that being Sunday, the day of the collision)." Contrary to popular myth, the "Titanic" was not trying to set a new North Atlantic speed record; she was heavier and her engines not as powerful as the Cunard line's liners, which currently held the "Blue Riband" (see the first article in this series). However, it appears from Mrs. Lines' account, Ismay was hoping instead to beat "Titanic's" sister ship, "Olympic's" time to New York. Whether or not Ismay ordered Smith to maintain full speed in the midst of the ice, the mere presence of the line's managing director had to have an impact on Capt. Smith's state of mind.

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