Senator SMITH.
Mr. Neale, I want to ask you a question in order to have it in the record. You notified the Commissioner General of Immigration April 15 of the accident to the Titanic?
Mr. S.C. NEALE.
Yes, sir; on the morning of the 15th a telephone message came from New York from Mr. Franklin to my office.
Senator SMITH.
What time?
Mr. NEALE.
Between 11 and 12 o'clock, I am informed. I myself did not receive the message personally. Some one in my office took it down.
Senator SMITH.
And upon receipt of that message you wrote the letter of which this is a copy?
Mr. NEALE.
Yes, sir; at least, some one in my office wrote the letter, and I signed it.
Senator SMITH.
Asking him to arrange for the landing of their passengers at Halifax, and to secure their release as promptly as possible?
Mr. NEALE.
Yes, sir.
Senator SMITH.
You gave certain figures in that letter. Are these accurate figures?
Mr. NEALE.
I take it so, sir. That letter was not prepared by me personally, but was prepared by one of my associates.
Senator SMITH.
This is a statement in the letter:
There are on board about 325 first, 285 second, and 710 third class passengers. We estimate that about 80 percent of the second and third class and about 10 percent of the first class passengers are aliens.
Mr. NEALE.
Those are the figures that came to us from New York.
Senator SMITH.
Is there any objection to including this letter in our record?
Mr. NEALE.
Not the slightest.
Senator SMITH.
I am very much obliged.
The letter referred to is here printed in full as follows:
[American Line, Dominion Line, Atlantic Transport Line, Leyland Line, Red Star Line, White Star Line. S.C. Neale, counsel]
INTERNATIONAL MERCANTILE MARINE Co.,
1306 F Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., April 15, 1912COMMISSIONER GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION,
Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D.C.Sir: Owing to the accident to the steamship Titanic, it is probable that her passengers will be landed at Halifax.
The company will arrange to bring the great majority of the passengers to New York, but some may be desirous of proceeding to Western States via Montreal. Therefore, the company is very anxious to have the department make some special arrangements for passing all the passengers destined to the United States at Halifax. This would be a very great accommodation to all the passengers under the circumstances and would be greatly appreciated by the company.
There are on board about 325 first, 285 second, and 710 third class passengers. We estimate that about 80 percent of the second and third class and about 10 per cent of the first class passengers are aliens. We trust that in view of the unfortunate circumstances which prompt this request the department will see its way clear to extend such special facilities as are necessary to make this possible. Respectfully yours,
S. C. NEALE, Counsel.
(Witness Excused.)