The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-07
THE SHIPPING ACT.
MOVEMENT TO HAVE 1T AMENDED-sHIP-
OWNERS AND SAILORS COMPLAIN

MOVEMENT TO HAVE 1T AMENDED-sHIP-
OWNERS AND SAILORS COMPLAIN
The working Of the United States Shipping Act OF
June T. 1872 has given, rule, great dissatisfaction
TO American shipowners and sailors The Office Of
United States Shipping Commissioner is the only fed.
eral Office which has power regulate its emouments
by fees exacied The shipowners' Association OF this
State, whose Offices situated ll3
Pearl street. has placed documents in the
hands Of United States Judge Johnson Of this Circuit
praying for investigation the workings OF the
financial department OF the Shipping Commissioners
office Judge johnson has promised thorough inves
tigation and IL is now in progress proposed amend
ment OF shipping law of 1872 has been prepared
this city behalf Of the sufferers by the existing
and will be presented in the House Of Representatives
a day two by the Hon. Elijah Ward, Of this city.
The following is brief review Of
rHs PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
FiystIt will change tho appointing power Of the Com
missoners because ' has been found inudcou 30 have
universal Jurisdiction OF maritime cases rom whom salts.
ecoIi will empower The Secretary the United ststos
late the manner Of their conducting business &c Under
the present law commissioners resonsble 70 no de-
partnentin fact each commissioners Office a govern
ybn-It wiz locate the commissioner once At the cu.
tom House in It's Immediate vicinity Al each port thus
n eaps 20 SINE LOST In going the rreat distance bety"en
those buildings. = AZ present often
fowhlt VIII secure 70 o~e'e .no Deont OF the servces
which they pay FOR but which h occupied sign
supernous documents on engagement and discharge
fore besides relieving both aud sea.
paying fees The seamen Of steamships
unlike those Of sailing vessels. generally provdent
and ke laboring Glass; their money
they receive 10. no advance being paid hen
necessity existing Tor Commissioner supervise their
gagements or discharge.
lUsIt will make all moneys arising from the unclaimed
and effects Of deceased the expiration Of
from the receipt thereof the United
judges payable ino the United states Treasury
United states merchant service still subject
q inns Of relatives The present Law gives absolute
70 the United states courts In allowing such claims while
there u no limit 70 the time the Judges may hold such
mOueya
Si-I will obgate masters Of all eoastng vessels Doth
steam and SAIL " deposits list u with the commits
te AZ reference for sesmens relatives In case Of The Ve
scl's lOss ~
Of The United states viii reduce ,he fees paid BY masters
and II will abolish altogether the present eNactoh
o. onerons fees from seamen ~ the eommssionera -.
saaried subordinates 20 she United Stacs ifA
ury Department. making them directly responsible 70 uaA
department for tue faithful performance OF ther omciA
duties, while u prehibs each OF then from Retaining Any
fees collected.
Nssh-I will prohibit commissioners their clerks rom
engaging procuring and discriminating ~ ther
thus abolish she perpetual cause ~
conflict existing between shipping eom1ssoners aud
Jea-It viii abolish abuses that have existed and
existing the great injury OF shppng inteetu ~ IN
cressDg the Of a. ~fDefs ia questions
| a. issue tet nj scamen
Ehres1t-t will give merchant seamen she right % de-
uaud for the present insufficient scale 81 al
owances standard United states navy ration thus doing
marine service under the present law.
T.oeaA-H vii cquale The fees payable By All vessels,
nntion me law amended aud properly administered.
vii DODaiAr with AL eoncerad wbile the eAAs,ng