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Halifax Disaster Record Office
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N.S.
December 27, 1918.

Journal
Justice for Halifax
There are two things which The Morning Chronicle has been impressing upon the Federal Government as imperitive demands, at this time, which we believe have the support of an almost unanimous public opinion. The first is that there should be an exhaustive and searching inquiry into all the circumstances surrounding the recent disaster. In particular we have pointed out that it is the duty of the Government to enlarge the scope of the inquiry which is being conducted by Mr. Justice Drysdale, so as to include everything directly or indirectly connected with the disaster.
So far the inquiry has dealt only with the marine side of the collision, and naturally and properly it has followed the usual course. But, as we have urged from the beginning, that is not what is demanded at this present and in this emergency. The public are not greatly concerned now with the outcome of it, or as to the degree of responsibility of the respective individuals charged with the navigation of the two ships. The inquiry which is demanded is an inquiry to establish the responsibility for the movement of the ships, the one from her anchorage in the lower harbor, the other from her anchorage in Bedford Basin - why a death-carrying vessel was allowed to proceed up the harbor and into a narrow channel and there to come in collision with an outgoing steamer, with, so far as it is known, no precautions or safe guards whatsoever have been taken or provided. That is the crux of the whole question.