Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1906-10-11

Of our companies, 70 discuss the
question Of wages with q committee
mot composed Of our employees.
We have always felt that the prob
lens OF our companies we're peculiar,
and that the only men capable Of
reaching reasonable judgment as
to position we might assume with
reference to wages and other ques-
tions, were our own men, who are
familiar with the peculiarities ofour
situation. We were threatened,
from time 70 time during the summer,
that II we did not take some action
with reference TO this original re-
quest. that matter would be embar-
| RAISING for Us. Finally. without
any direct communication whatever
| from OR men, we received, about
Sept. Goth, the designations OF Ia large
number OF our captains, mates and
quartermasters.
Without further notice, and still
without any consultation with us.
the operating officers OF the greater
part Of our vessels. on October LIST,
left them unnamed, and we were
placed In position where II was
absolutely impossible TO operate
them. The men thus took upon
themselves the responsibility Of ty-
| ing up the commerce. Of tho terri
tory reached BY our boats. seriously
interfering with the fertilizer traffic
ct period OF the year when this
material is vital 10 the farmers In
preparation for the harvest of next
spring, and partially paralyzing the
general trade Of Chesapeake Bay
and It's tributary rivers. We we're
utterly defenceloss, because themen.
by virtue Of their government licen-
SEES, for these waters. enjoy prac-
tical monopoly OF she privilege Of
handling stermers thereon.
II Is also manifest by what we
have said that the purpose, to &C.
complish which our employees took
upon themselves the very grave re-
sponsibility Of tying up the com
merce carried by our lines, and Of
interfering with the public conven-
fence and comfort. was 20 compel
our companies TO permit our en-
ployees, including the captains, TO
be members OF the association which
undertook 70 deal with us and re.
present them. There Is, so far as
know, no other questions between
as which cannot be, we believe, set
tied 10 our mutual satisfaction with.
In twenty-tour hours. and we res
pectfully submit that the RESPONSE.
bility for the present condition Of
affairs Is not upon Us but upon our
former employees,
DISCIPLINE THE FIRST ESSENTIAL.
This brings us TO the real heart
OF the question. Our companies are
responsible 70 the public for the safe
operation Of our vessels. In order
70 guarantee such operation, the
absolutely vital and essential re-
quirement Ia that the most perfect
discipline should DO maintained.
The only way Ia which wecan main
tain discipline, is 10 hold our cap
talns directly and absolutely re-
sponsible for the operation OE our
boets when they are outside Of port.
what unique. II Is different from
that Of . train conductor, or o fore
man, OF any other boss Of tho or
binary kind. While on the water,
the captain Of o ship ia the direct
| personal representative OF the owner
Of bis weasel. His word Is Law,
and In him every subordinate officer
Of the ship recognizes the authority
OF the company itself. The captain 4
allegiance, therefore, must be abso-
lutely 10 his employers.
To admit the propriety Of the cap.
tain Of q ship placing himself on
level with his subordinates, where
bis subordlnates are 10 position,
by virtue Of their preponderate
numbers, 10 control his actions,
would be quite as fitting as IL would
be 70 grant the propriety OF generals
on the held Of bassle Joining ga or
ganlzation With their subordinate
officers, which organization might
have power OF stating what the gen.
erals should do In their relations
with their governments. The cap
tain must be supreme, and If he is
not supreme, al the lives and pro-
perty entrusted 30 himas represent
Ing the company. arc always, more
or less, In peril.
Therefore, we ask that our cap
taIns shall retire from such an or
gAnikation. We ask this for the
sake Of the discipline Of our ships.
We feel that this Is request which |
should have the support OF your |
honorable board, and the public in
general. II is principle which is |
we'll recognized la all navigation. |
the validity Of which has been sue.
cessfully fought for whenever the |
question has been raised elsewhere. |
notably In the contest on the Great |
lakes two years ago. Al the pre- |
sent time, 80 we are informed, cap
tains on the Lakes are not permitted |
70 join labor organizations Ia which
their subOrdinates are members. I
and when any mate on ship is 10 /
be- promoted 70 . captaincy, he must |
FIRST resign from bis Organization
The principle Is simple one, but
is vital TO the safe operation OF
ahfnn