The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-27
WRONGS OF BRITISH sArrons.
Me-. rnnson Describes Thsn sad Cars FOR
ReHorvn.


LONDON Jan. oe-some Sensational testi-
mony was given before the Royal Labor Com
mission to-day by Mr.. Plimsoll. Mr. Plimsoll
gave statistics to prove that the loss OF life on
British ships is Quadruple that. proportion
ally. OF any other nation. The Importance Of
seeking the cause Of this friehtful slau 9hter Of
human life needed no argument. Mr.. Plimsoll
believed there could be no doubt that It would
be found in the vicious system OF insurance.
whereby II was frequently more profitable
thing for an owner to lose his ship. and incl
dentaly kill score or so OF poor seamen, than to
save It, The witness declared that the present
law. allowing three feet OF deck load should
be modified. There ought. at least in long
winter Atlantic voyages. to be no dock load at
ull. But. II the law is to stand. the penalty
should be made sufficient to prevent infringe
ment o! its provisions. At present tho fine is
only 50. and. as deck loading increases the
freight capacity Of the vessel often from so to
100 per cent. the owner can we'll afford to pay
the penalty should his violation OF the law DO
discovered or reported.
Mr. Plin,soll thought that Canada should be
allowed to adopt her own legislation for Cana
dim ships. except for those sailing TO and
from English ports. Referring to the law Of
bulkheads. Mr.. Plimsol said 1t was farcical.
ship built with absolutely no hulkheads dt all.
Revised legislation is needed in order to pro.
, ylde Tor the proper construction OF vessels in
Mr.; Pimsoll pointed out some OF the alb
s sn IN the laws rsEnla,nT ;hipping
lose his vessels would soon feel the effect in Il
falling of Of custom. 1t T. to his interest to
freight ships: By."ysrloadng and SyeTinsur;
one OF his tubs now and then. oyrrns urance
II more common thing. said Mr., Fimsoll.
sas s G%1 GSt he M Tof 'ss fSeo
tistcs that Whenever the value Of shipping
denines ;, in periods OF mercantile depression.
shs s "Ts 81 them .%f he
condition 81 the sailors. ABUNDANT proof was
st hand Of the bad food apd PS9r aSGommoda
ed it imperatively necessary. in order to bring
a"ut shslY espects that
should 'q be TesuIary s esamias S"t in ' he
same manner as that ON emigrapt ships
sailors Die 5s Ess ssrs I"
proper food. Men exposed to the hurtishipa OF
life on shipboarI cannot sustain the vital
swilL Not long ago. he said. several ships
arrived At San FrnnSisro hay ,C lost half their
wasted AZ BY WITH they to
taken to n hospital. where one Of the sufferers
died; BY starvation he meant lack Of proper
vessels. TO he used as food on the voyage.
which was in such bad condition that the men
escape the odor. He would not say that
shipowners were particularly anxious to
common Of seeking the cheapest market aud
not being too careful Of the INSPECTION Of tho
scraps meat. and sometimes to pare on" oil de-
cayed portions. putting the remainder In fresh
brine and sending it on board for the ships
stores
These are but few OF the details revealed
by Mr.. Pimsoll in his arrangement OF the sys-
tenn by which tho health and lives OF laborers
aboard ship are imperllled. and he closed with
an earnest appeal. in the name Of humanity
and decency. for legislative reform in these
matters.