The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-04-02
ASK TO BE PAID HIGHER SCALE
OF WAGES.
Inter-Island and Wilder Companies
Refuse to Accede to Their Demand.
Several Boats Get Away.

For while today it looked as if the
Kinau and the Mauna Loa would be
unable to get away on their respective
runs. they were not weather bound
but were strike bound. Practically all
OF the mates of the Wilder and Inter-
Island companies went on a strike yes
terday with the result that the run
ming of the vessels were threatened.
Wages was the cause of the strike.
According to the scale which has
been in operation here the first mates
received S65 month, the second mates
$45, and the third mates $50. There
were exceptions however to this scale
and the men on some of the larger
island steamers received more money.
last July five mates were brought here
from the Coast and a few weeks ago
six more arrived and went to work on
the Inter-Island boats. Discomfort has
been growing for some time among all
the mates for they claimed that they
were not paid sufficiently. They claim
ed that they ought to receive the same
scale as that of Coast seamen. This
scale is $50 to first officers, $75 to sec
ond officers and $50 to third officers.
On the other hand the island steam
ship companies claimed that they
should not pay this scale. The weather
was not nearly so severe here as that
experienced by Coast seamen. and the
work was not so arduouS. This claim
did not satisfy the men. They could
not see the matter in that light and
the result was that a meetin~ of the
mates of practically all the boats was
called on the 18th of last month and
! communications were addressed to
President Ena of the Inter-Island and
| President Wight of the Wilder COM
| panies. These communications con-
| tanned the request for Increase in
wages. A conference of the heads of
| the two companies was held and they
| decided not to acceed to the demands
of the mates. No attention was paid
! to the communications, with the result
| that yesterday a further consultation
was held between representatives of
! the mates and the presidents of the
steamship companies. Mate Tut of the
Claudine of the Wilder company one
of these representatives is said to have
been discharged on the spot by Mr..
Wight. No arrangement could be ef-
went ON q strike.
Were not the United States naviga-
tion laws in operation here the COM
panies could easily have secured men
take the places of the mates but the
laws of American navigation requi-o
that only licensed mates shall be taken
out The difficulty experienced was in
securing men holding licenses. The
Mauna Loa of the Inter-Island line
was scheduled to sail at 10 o'clock this
morning but it was found impossible
to get away on that time. President
Ena thought that inexperienced men
could be shipped and a fine be paid
for this violation of the law but he de-
cided later not to take this course. He
stated this morning that if nece sary
he would lay up the smaller boats OF
the fleet and let their captains serve
as mates on the large boats until reg
ular men could be secured to take the
vacant places. Deputy Collector
Stratemeyer went to the vessel and
notified the officials that inexperienced
men should not be shipped. During the
morning however the required men
were secured, and the vessel got away
shortly after noon.
The lie Au Hou should have left yes.
terday afternoon but she was tied uI
today. Two other vessels are scheduled
, to sail this afternoon. President Ena
said he thought they would be gotteI
away.
1t was feared that the Kinau woulC
be delayed as one of he mates was
among the strikers. 1t is understood
that he weakened however and return
2 ed to work. The vessel sailed shortl,
after noon today. The Lehua, Clau
dine and Helene are scheduled by tn
Wilder Company to sail this afternoon
President Wight said he thought
sufficient number of men who h. pro
: per licenses but who We're employed
in other occupations could be secures
to man the fleet. He did not antici
; pate any tie up. President Ena SAT-
that If necessary they would send ava,
: for men. They would certainly not 70
!. the present entertain any idea of sur
rendering to the strikers.