Page 218 - British Inquiry into Loss of RMS Titanic Day 14 - 18

the opportunity of getting this drill? - I would like anything to be done that would help us to carry out the necessary drill. Mr. Scanlan: I understand, my Lord, that the people whom I represent are very anxious that the men should all be trained in order to secure greater efficiency and to co-operate with Mr. Sanderson. The Commissioner: I do not quite know, Mr. Scanlan, whom it is you do represent. Do you represent the leaders of these men, or do you represent the men themselves? Mr. Scanlan: I think your Lordship will remember that an application was made by me on behalf of the Union to be represented here. The Commissioner: I supposed then and I do suppose still that you represented all the men, but I am not convinced about it. I suppose you do represent all the men. You are not here merely instructed by officials or leaders of the Union. Mr. Scanlan: The officials and leaders of the Union which I represent, represent the members of the Union, who, I understand, comprise about 80,000 to 100,000 men. The Commissioner: What I want to know is this: Assume that the men are directed to submit to this drill, do the leaders of the Union insist upon them going through their drill? - I have been told here that the men object to the drill, and will not do it. Mr. Scanlan: Up to the present I am instructed that this is the first time a request has been made for this cooperation with Mr. Sanderson. The Commissioner: That is another matter. Is it true that sometimes the men will not do what they are asked to do in connection with drill? Mr. Scanlan: My information is, my Lord, that the leaders of the Union - those who represent the Union and who are alone capable of giving instructions for an Enquiry like this - are desirous that all men should be trained in the handling of boats in order to secure greater efficiency, and that they will cooperate. The Commissioner: What are they going to do, supposing the men say they will not drill? 19418. (Mr. Scanlan.) They have never had an opportunity, and I think it is quite sufficient that I should be instructed to express the desire of those I represent to co-operate with Mr. Sanderson. The Witness: We have offered them half-a-day’s pay to do this drill, and they have refused - I am speaking of the firemen. The Commissioner: I can understand the firemen having an objection, it being no part of his business to go through this drill. I can understand that. He is engaged primarily, at all events, to perform services below deck, and he may say, I have got nothing to do with boat drill or boats, and I will not do it. However, I am far from saying he will be unreasonable. 19419. (Mr. Scanlan.) I have heard a very interesting and very practical remark from Mr. Sanderson just now that he has offered a half-day’s pay - this is the first I have heard of it. I understand it is not generally known that such an offer is open. (To the Witness.) When was it made? - I did not say it was open; I said we had tried the experiment and it had failed. It was tried in the case of the “Olympic.” 19420. When? - Last week. 19421. So that it is not open now? The Commissioner: It is no use making an offer that will not be accepted. Mr. Scanlan: You have only the word of Mr. Sanderson at present. We do not know the circumstances under which it was made, or to whom it was made. The Commissioner: No, I do not know anything more about it than I have heard here. 19422. (Mr. Scanlan.) I will leave it at that, my Lord. (To the Witness.) Now I think you expressed the opinion that of the crew of a boat two should be seamen? - I think it would be a wise precaution for boat work. 19423. Have you taken precautions that you have two for each boat where you have made an