Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-11-14
WEST CREW UPHELD
DECISION Is MADE FAVORABLE To-
VESSELS SAILORS.
DEPUTY COLLECTOR SEBASTIAN
HEARS COMPLAINT OF FOOD
SHORTAGE ON SCHOONER AND
SUSTAiNS THEIR CONTENTiON
-CAPTAIN JENSEN REFUSES TO
COMPLY WITH ORDER.

| Following an investigation of the
charges of food shortage brought by
members of the crew against Captain
Jensen, of the schooner Edward r.
| West, which recently arrived on the
! HarbOr 63 days from CallaO, Deputy
Collector of Customs Sebastian. be-
fore whom the investigation was held.
on Saturday. decided in favor of the
men and gave his opinion that the
captain should pay them 80 cents a
! day each, for each day that the pro-
visions We're short. Captain jensen
declared that he would not abide by
the decision and the next move is up
| to the crew who must take the matter
to court. This they declare they will
do.
The West was out 63 days to this
| port and, according to the contention
! of the men, there existed a shortage
of food during all that time. Accord
ing to the provisions of the rules and
regulations formulated by the govern
ment for the operation of vessels sell
! ing under the American flag, a table
i of rations which shall be allowed sail
ors and others is arranged, and mast
ers must govern themselves accord
ingly and provide, as nearly as may
be, the different articles of food and
in the quantities named to their men
during the voyage. The men of the
West claim that Captain Jensen did
not do this and they charge that he
disposed of a considerable amount of
the supplies which in the Chilean port
at fancy figure and consequently
his own Crew were short on the trip
north. Other charges are made
| q Oairct thn n along those
lines. Sebastians decision, allowing
the men so cents per day for each day
they were on short rations would give
them total of $31.50 in addition to
their stipulated wages, or $15750 for
the voyage.
! Want Only Their Rights
| Members OF the Vests crew who
gave testimony last Saturday, appear
| to be honest in their contention and
declare that they are not animated
by malice in pressing their claims
but that they are merely seeking re-
dress for what they believe to be"
their rights and for the short rations
for which, they say, there was no
excuse. 1t appears that the crew are
not unanimous, however, in their con-
tention. Two or three members have
! CluoCu " appear d6oluoe ooPluiA "SAA
sen and declare that they have MOTH
ing to complain off. Others state that
these men have violated their agree
ment and. for some reason, have
changed their minds since reaching
port, and hints of double-dealing are
freely made.
Defend Captain Jensen
Shipping men and others who are
personally acquainted with Captain
Jensen declare that they do not be-
lieve the accusations made by the
members of his crew. They say that
Jensen has long borne an excellent
reputation as a competent ship mast
er, first class navigator and a man
thoroughly familiar with the rules and
regulations of the sea. They say that
he has always been considerate in
dealing with his men and would not
be guilty of the conduct with which
he is charged.
In the legal proceedings which the
crew will bring in federal court, the
Sailors Union of the Pacific will have
charge of the prosecution and supply
the funds on behalf of the men, as
lis the usual course in such proceed
ings.