New York, Oct, 16 Responsibility for the tremendous loss of life attending the burning of the s. Morro Castle off Asbury Park. NI. on September 8 was officially fixed to-day upon the Acting Captain, Mr. William F. Warms, and This decision was delivered following protracted hearings by the {following protracted hearings by the investigation board of the United [States Steamboat Inspection Service.
The board held that had the Morro [Castle halted and flushed an SES. 1 to neighbouring ships and Coast Guards. stations as soon as the fire was discovered on board the luxury flagship of the Ward Line, the casual ties would not have been so great.
Findings of the board also. vigorously. criticized the crew of the fated liner for ignoring the tradition of the sea by saving themselves and turning dear ears to passengers' appeals for assistance.
The investigators ordered Mr. Warms, who succeeded to command of the Morro Castle. when Captain Willmott died under mysterious cir Jcumstances less than an hour before the flames were discovered, and his four officers to show cause at a ture ther hearing on October 29° why their leenees should not either "be suspended or permanently revoked.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.