The Hawaiian gazette., 1912-08-09
Inter-IsIand Company Is
Standing Pat---So
Are Strikers
Tie-Up Still UnbrOkcn--.
Mails Sent to the
Other Islands
(From thursdays Advertiser.)

1t is now q fight to the hnlsh De-
tween the Inter Island Steam Naviga-
ton Company and the striking masters
and mates for a Principe of domina-
ton, which is back of the demands OF
the strikers.
Developments in the tie.up of the
Inter-Island steamers yesterday were
mildly sensational in more ways than
one. Although loaded with freight and
all ready to go out at moments no.
tice every steamer belonging to the
company remains fast at her dock,
for the masters and mates are still firm
in their resolve not to take out their
respective boats until their demands
upon the company have been fully con
ceded.
Meanwhile the travelling pubnc,
which has been put to such inconven-
fence. as well as the commercial inter
ests which are suffering because of the
action of the strikers, have been won
dering what it was all about. The bare
fact given out for publication that the
trouble was all owe, the non-payment
of paitry matter of $40 of back pay
for overtime to three or four captains
has been looked upon as mask to COW
er the real cause.
1t is generally believed inconceiv.
able that the Inter-Island company
would consent to tie up all its steamers,
subject itself to penalties under its
mail contract with the postoffice de-
partment and stand the loss Of thou
sands of dollars day for such a mere
bagatelle of dollars. Also, it has ap-
peared to those who are marooned upon
the various islands that the strikers
would not take such drastic action to
enforce the payment of few dollars,
when by waiting short time such
matter would have been adjusted.
Old Union Principle.
AS a matter of fact there is a labor
union principle back of the contest,
which is now asserted to be one for the
domination of the company along GER
tain lines by the organization known
as Honolulu Harbor No. "a of Masters
and Pilots. The real reason it is as
serted, the company will not come to
terms with the strikers is that it re-
fuses to stand for the "closed shop
and dictation in its business by an out
side organization.
J. r. Sheedy, of the Inter-Island com
pany, has been mentioned along the
waterfront as one of those TO whom
there was opposition and the cause of
dissatisfaction among the men. This
fact was mentioned by two of the
strikers, but it was not verified by the
officers of the company.
Mr.. Sheedy was asked last evening
in regard to the rumor, but declined
to comment upon it further than to
say he had received no "kicksp and
that Mr.. Mclean would speak for the
company.
Arrangements were made by the In
ter-Island Steam Navigation Company
early yesterday to break the mali Con-
gestion and two outside steamers were
chartered to carry the mail to the 9TH
er islands.
The steamer J. A. Cummins, belong
ing to the Waimanalo Sugar Company,
started last evening with the accumu-
lated mail for the ports of Kauai and
Niihau. At the same time the steamer
James Makee, of the Miller Salvage
Company, started with the mail for
Molokai and Maui. Both boats could
have been loaded with passengers anx-
iOus to get away, but none were TAX
en-. 1t was simply matter of carry
ing out the nail contract with the
postoffice. Today the Wilhelmina will
carry the mai for Hawaii, and thus
all of the islands will be assured of
their mails for this week. Special ar
rangements will be made to continue
at least a weekly mai service until the
strike is broken or settled in some way.
Promise Support.
A special meeting of the directors
of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Asso-
citation was held in the Judd building
yesterday afternoon early ard resolu.
tions passed to emphatically support
the stand taken by the Inter Island
company. Among those present at the
meeting were w. o. Smith, +. A.
Schaefer, w. LAM, Z. ID. Tenney, John
Waterhouse, Charles II Hemenway and
Assistant Secretary Warren.
Both sides have been unusually Sc.
cretve in regard to the causes OF the
trouble and have taken the stand that
the public is not entitled to know what
the meaning of IL all is, although IL is
the public which is the victim and
realizes il, according 10 the scores of
messages received at the Office of the
lnter.lsland company.
Insolence OF Strikers.
So far as the strikers are concerned
they are not only secTetive, but dis.
courteous about Il, refusing 10 permit
any newspaper man near their meet.
ing room Ia the Odd Fellows' building
and gfutly refusing 10 answer civil
questions. A. one Of them yesterday
explained pithllyi
81 don't know anything, and don Z
give q d--nl"
Captain Freeman Of the flagship
Aauna iiea was aagTy yesterday Al the
publication ~ bic name AZ member
~ the committee hAYing tbs strike IN
charge lie said this committee had
been appointed three Nesks ago aad
~ had noihiaR 10 40 Nalh ID.
There WA 90 infnUaal Meet ba "
she hoard 81 directors N ihe later