The St. Louis Republic., 1902-04-13
SEAMAN OBJECTS
To PANTRY LUNCH.
Cred johnson Resigns His Posi-
ton and Sues for
Wages.
A QUESTION OF APPETITE.
First Mate Henry Holmberg Says
the Food Was Good and
That Plaintiff Ate
Heartily.
|. QUESTION OF APPETITE.

Milwaukee, Wis. April 12.-The tale Of an
able seaman who preferred TO give up his
position and hazard his pay because he was
forced to help himself TO a pantry lunch
on a Sunday evening when he believed his
rank in the little marine commonwealth
in which he happened TO be entitled him
TO lot supper served on the table. Is 10
be told in The Superior Court at an early
day. when the suit of Fred johnson against
the Western Transit Company for wages
comes up on the April term calendar. Yet
there are some good people who look upon
a pantry lunch or "A buffet lunch as the
height of fashion a Sunday evening in
"a cozy place, away from the influence oil
the cook
johnson sued for twenty-five days wages
at the rate of SlJ0 per day, after he left
the steamer Boston, early in May. 1901.
The Boston was one Of the Western Tran
sit Companys steamers. The suit was be-
gun In the justice court OF II. J. Matthias,
in Wauwatosa in June, 1901, and taken
ION change of venue TO Justice II. w
iGransee by J. c. McClintock, Milwaukee
agent for the defendant. Gransee gave
Judgment for the plaintiff for SIS, the full
amount and the company appealed to the
Wanted Hot supper.
! The defense is that Johnson quit the
boat at Milwaukee and broke his contract
by which he agreed to make the trip from
Buffalo to Chicago and return.
Since the case reached the Superior Court
a number OF dispositions of witnesses re-
siding In Buffalo have been taken and filed
IN court, as well as the log book of the
Boston, succinct record OF the trip from
lBuffalo to Chicago and back. The trouble
with Johnson was in drydock here
The deposition of Julius Lund, deckhand,
rs among the number. He says he heard 1t
stated that johnson left the ship because
ne & did - not get a hot supper one Sunday
the evening of Sunday. June g. 1901" said
me- cold corned beef, cold roast beef, bread
and butter, hot coffee. pickles. radshes,
tcelery. pie and cake. The cook was given a
half holiday with the rest of us on Sunday
lthe food was placed in the pantry so that
ithe crew could go and help themselves"
JOhnson's Last Meal.
First Mate Henry Holmberg deposed at
lmore detail in regard to the Sunday night
meal which played so important a part in
the litigation, the last supper which johnson
.entoyed In drydock with his comrades Of the
tBoston. ate my supper there" said
Mate Hoimberg and saw the crew eating.
iof my own knowledge that he had all the
food that he required. The food was good.
Sass because az 1 the time we were in drydock We
,market." The mate said that johnson quit
because OF some harsh reply made to him
ison. who was employed as lookoutsman on
,the captains watch, complained of the quail
;ity Of the food that night.
i Wanted Double Time.
Captain John Davis commander of the
I Boston, has deposition on fle He testifies
that johnson went to him and said ne
Thought the men ought to have double time
for the work they did that Sunday. Il
stated to him." said the captain. that I
had no authority to give them double time,
but would permit them to take a half-holi-
|day In the afternoon and allow them a full
days pay. There was no work, however
for them to do, and in the afternoon they
left the boat and went into the city. 1 told
the steward or cook that he could also take
Ia half-holiday. provided that he would get
need not Set the table. but could lay the
supper out In the pantry. which he did
ThexGreW. either ate their supper In the pam
try or else took 1t out on the table and ate
1T there The only difference between that