The morning call., 1893-09-07
ASKED.
The Sean1en'S Union in a
Dilemma.
LESS PAY FOR THE SAILORS.
A Proposition to Accept a Cut of SIS
a Month Now Under Con-
sideration.

The most important question which has
come before the Coast Seamen's Union for
some months is the application Of the
Black Diamond Coal Company for a re-
duction OF sailors wages from $40 to S35
per month, as announced in yesterdays
CALL. The matter was not formally pre-
sented, but whatever action shall be taken
will be considered the formal answer of
the union.
Here are the facts in the case: On Mon
day afternoon the secretary OF the Coast
Seamen's Union was invited to call at the
Office of p. B. Cornwall, president of the
Black Diamond Coal Company, and was
requested to place before the union a
proposition to accept reduction Of So
mouth in the wages of able seamen.
Ample reasons were given for asking the
reduction.
A special meeting of the union was called
for Tuesday evening to consider the propo-
sitiOn. There was an attendance of 143
members, who discussed the matter fully
and freely, the debate lasting from Z 80 to
IL 40 p NJ. With only one days notice
the attendance was not large enough nor
the time Tor consideration long enough to
give a final decision on so important
change. so the matter was referred TO
committee Of five, with instructions to re-
port at an adjourned meeting to he held
tomorrow night.
How does the union feel about this
reduction ," asked a CALL man Of two
fair minded, intelligent members who at
tended the meeting Tuesday night.
well, I'll tell you," answered the elder
OF the two and lhe younger assented to
what followed. IF it was simply this
case alone, the union would have voted 10
accept the reduction by a decisive ma
jority. The Black Diamond people have
stood by us anG it would be the fair thing
all around if we met them half way. We
know that ships are not making money
and good many coasters are laying up.
But we were afraid to take the re-
sponsI6lllty oil accepting S5 less until we
could sound the sentiments of our men in
other branches of the cOaSting service.
1t was hiuled al the meeting that Pope &
Talbot and others would be sure TO follow
with the same request andAlf we granted
1t to one, we could not consistently refuse
another. This led to discussion as to
whether the big corporations like the
Pacific Coast Steamship Company and the
Union Pacific, which would pay sailors
$40 month. would not come 10 us with
the same request. based, perhaps, on like
equitable grounds.
IF you stop to consider it minute you
Will see that our action will be faT-Teach-
Ing, and We want to hear from every body
we will have to fix some sort of limit be-
yond which the reduction shall not go.
Then, too, we are in sympathy with
other unions. II, for instance, the sailors
on steamers should allow wages to be cut
the companies couid with good grace ask
the F!remen's Union to come down.
"Sull, l think if the reduction of SIS Will
stop with the men in the coal ard lumber
sailing vessels the union will consent to it
with the understanding that wages shall
90 back TO $40 as soon as times improve.
Now, l am not speaking for the union |
am giving only my Individual opinion"
The action OF the union will immediately
affect the crews of four ships owned by
the Black Diamond pe0ple-lhe Germania,
the Spartan, the Blue Jacket and tile
1vannOe. which average thirteen men
each. Collaterally it VIII affect the entire
Puget Sound lumber feet.
Said weli-known ship-Owner yester-
day: There is nothing in carrying Goals
and lumber and we would actually be better
of II we tied our ships u. The rate for coal
from Seattle Is down to 81 90 ton, while
we ought to get 81 % anu have received as
high as s. 70 ana S3 when ships were
scarce. The expense # voyage to Puget
Sound Is actually greater than the receipts
at present rates, ~ say nothing of interest
on capital Invested, occasional loss of sails,
gene al repairs and wearing cut Of prop
erty."
- OAl-B reporter sought an 0Id-tlme
coasiinE skipper and asked for figures on
round trip between Seattle and San Fran
cisco. tie took out his pencil and after
carefully revising his items gave the fol-
lowing, bastd on years OF experience:
Lets take the ship Spartan, now in
port, for an example. She is about 1880
tons and carries twelve men before the
mast. Her expense for round trip would
be: Towage IN and out Of Puget Sound,
supplies and ncidentals, $3.50; towage at
San Francisco. $3.50; whar age, 500; dis
charging, 5000; ballast, $3.50; board of Off
GERS while IL port $50; provisions for the
round trip. $3.50; chaudlery. $50; black
smithing and repairs, S45; total, S247j
Counting thirty-fVe days as the average
time Of voyage (and you must allow
more for winter time) the wages of officers
and crew will Se Sl120, grand total of
e3595-call it $500, and allow nothing for
damages, general repairs, ctr.
The Spartan will carry not to exceed
2150 tons. AT 81 90 ton she would earn
S5547 90, call il $3.50 You can figure tor
Yourself how much money she is maxim q
Tor her owners"