Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-05
SHIPPING WORLD AROUSED
Labor Allied With White Star Line
on Eve of Strike.
DEMAND OF SEAMEN'S UNION
Increased Crews and Ample Pro-
vision for Saving Life-Ship Con-
struction Discussed.
Special Cablesram to The Star.


troubles never come singly. The whole
shipping world. and especially that part
of 1t which is allied with the White Star
line and Morgan's steamship trust Is
seething with labor discomfort. and get
ting ready for unparalleled disturbances.
The tying up of the Olympic was direct
sequence OF the Titanic sinking. The
White Stars action in having imprisoned
on criminal charges strikers who object
ed 10 the lack of proper lifeboats, has
not tended to soften the attitude of the
men. hundreds of whose fellow workers
had just given up their lives because the
Titanic was not adequately equipped with
lifeboats.
Prepare for an early strike" is the
word that is now being sent around. both
among the big steamship companies and
among the seamen's unions.
Tom Mann. who was recently arrested
for urging soldiers not to shoot striking
miners. is employing the few days of
liberty that remian to him before sur
rendering to his bail, in visiting British
ports and urging seamen to unite for
common action His report is that the
men are rapidly responding to the call.
Efforts are being made to enlist the SYM
pathy of American, colonial and contin-
seamen have been working for the past
two months.
Demand More Men on Ships.
Besides demanding adequate provisions
for safety, the men will demand a revised
manning scale, under which each ocean
going vessel will be expected to in
crease the total of her crew by from 10
to ~ per cent. The object of the new
agitation, as set forth by the leaders,
is to tighten the burden of duty of the
present crews and at the same time to
absorb the rapidly increasing horde Of
unemployed.
The Titanic accident has crystallized
sentiment among seamen and the present
prospect is that the strike will take place
earlier and be of greater proportions
than was contemplated q few weeks
ago
The shock Of that accident is being
felt in every industrial nerve connected
with shipping affairs. One Of its first
effects will be drastic changes in the
British board of trades Anticipated sys-
tenn, which keeps in its membership hold
ers of Offices that have been out of ex-
istence for a hundred years, and an
ecclesiastical dignitary who, until the
Titanic sank, was probably unaware of
the boards existence Its methods will
have to be brought up to date IL Britain
is to hold her place against Germany as
commercial mistress Of the sea.
New British Department.
The plan now under consideration by the
government Is the creation Of a new de-
partmnt to deal with merchant shipping
exclusively. More stringent regulations
regarding the equipment of British ships
with wireless telegraphy. as well as with
Iifeboats, are likely to result.
Britain has not yet followed the ex-
ample of the United States and Canada
compulsory on every ocean-go.ng steam
ship. France is taking action. and in
Spain it has just been decided that after
August l all Spanish merchant sailing
vessels which carry passengers or mail
must have wireless installation.
Legislation is being prepared in Eng
land which will provide not only that all
ships shall have wireless apparatus, but
that each ship shall have at least two
operators. Another change due to the
Titanic accident is an increase in rates
OF insurance on vessels of the liner
class. Both Lloyds and the insurance
companies are taking steps to bring
about substantial advances in premiums.
increased 80 per cent and on registered
letters % per cent.
Change in Construction Plans.
Alterations. 1t is said. are being made
In the plans of the White Star Line s
new 54.O00-ton ship. the Gigantic, the
keel Of which has just been laid at Bel
last Under the revised plans the Gil
Gantic will have double cellular bot
tom and sides like the Cunard Company $
Maurentania and Lusitania
The first mammoth boat. the Grea,
Eastern was built upon this double
SKIN plan, and, although she had the
unfortunate experience OF running on q
rock and was torn open to about one
seventh Of her length, she got safely into
port
Lord Pierrie recently declared that he
never saw q ship launched without feel
ing that II he had to commence the work
again he could build q better one. He
js having q chance now.