SEAWORTHINESS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 9

SEAWORTHINESS

AMERICAN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE ISSUED Australian Press Association. Wy.HINGTON, 15th Nov. The British Foreign Office has authorised Sir Harry Armstrong, ConsulGeneral in Now York, to co-operate with the Federal Attorney, Mr. Tuttle, in the Vestris inquiry for a preliminary survey of the facts. The main investigation will be conducted later by tho British Board of Trade. It is understood that Congress may make an iiii'y» ndent investigation of its own. Pai-.cular emphasis is placed in the Foreign Office's instructions on the necessity for adequate technical assistance to the American legal officers conducting the inquiry. An informal report was made to the British Embassy during the day by Sir Harry Armstrong indicating that he was not satisfied that such technical assistance had been provided. The chief interest here lies in tho contributory responsibility of officials of tho American Steamboat Inspection Service, which issued a certificate of seaworthiness to the Vcstris on 7th November. Senators Walsh, Foss, and Nye believe a Congressional investigation justified, with particular attention to the methods of tho Steamship Inspection Bureau.