icious notion that life at sea must be made
showy, sumptuous and magnificent. The absence of life-boats was not due
to their cost, but to the demand for a great promenade deck, with ample
space to look out on the sea with which a continuous row of life-boats
would have interfered, and to the general tendency to lavish money on
the luxuries of a voyage instead of first insuring its safety.

CHAPTER XXIX. THE SENATORIAL INVESTIGATION

PROMPT ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT--SENATE COMMITTEE PROBES DISASTER AND
BRINGS OUT DETAILS--TESTIMONY OF ISMAY, OFFICERS, CREW, PASSENGERS AND
OTHER WITNESSES

PUBLIC sentiment with regard to the Titanic disaster was reflected in
the prompt action of the United States Government.

On April 17th the Senate, without a dissenting vote, ordered an
investigation of the wreck of the Titanic, with particular reference to
the inadequacy of life-saving boats and apparatus. The resolution also
directed inquiry into the use by the Titanic of the northern course
"over a route commonly regarded as dangerous from icebergs."

Besides investigating the disaster, the committee was directed to
look into the feasibility of international agreements for the further
protection of ocean traffic.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, in whose charge the investigation was
placed, immediately appointed the following sub-committee to conduct the
gathering of evidence and the examination of witnesses:

Senator William Alden Smith of Michigan, chairman; Senator Francis
Newlands of Nevada, Senator Jonathan Bourne, Jr., of Oregon, Senator
George C. Perkins of California, Senator Theodore E. Burton of Ohio,
Senator Furnifold McL. Simmons of North Carolina and Senator Duncan U.
Fletcher of Florida.

The Senate Committee began its investigation in New York on Friday,
April 19th, the morning after the arrival of the Carpathia.

Ismay, the first witness, came to the witness chair with a smile upon
his face. He was sworn and then told the committee that he made the
voyage on the Titanic only as a voluntary passenger. Nobody designated
him to come to see how the newly launched monster would behave on the
initial trip. He said that no money was spared in the construction, and
as she was built on commission there was no need for the builders to
slight the work for their own benefit. The accident had happened on
Sunday night, April 14th.

"I was in bed and asleep," he said. "The ship was not going at
full speed, as has b