Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-04-01
OPERATORS now
SEEK MORE PAY

Pacific liners that pass through Homo
lulu are under way and the prediction
now gains credence that a strike is
impending that may yet result In a
number of steamers remaining at
their wharves, unless some satisfac-
tory agreement is forthcoming beS
tween the owners Of vessels and the
men who operate the wireless key
and hearken to the still small voice
IL the receiver
With The arrival of the Sierra comes
word that 200 Marconi wireless opera
tors scattered along the Pacific coast,
both on shore and at sea, have made
b demand for more money. IL the
company refuses the request for bet.
ter salaries, the operators declare that
they viii resign and desert their keys.
in this contingency, the owners will
be unable to operate their passenger
steamers, as the law compels them to
have one or more Wireless operators
on duty on all vessels which carry
passengers.
The operators have formed an or
ganization known as the Wireless Di-
vision. No, 81, Of the Commercial
1selegraphers Union OF America. II
has been formed, 1t is said, by an
organizer Of the American Federation
or Labor. They had planned to make
their demand and possibly precipitate.
a strike on Saturday
The demands for increased pay
we're first submitted on February IS
ty committee consisting of H. l.
Sterrick, a. F. RombAugh. G. r. Bans
Mister and O. e. Schombel. The scale
asked for is $50 q month minimum
: for day of twelve hours, as well as.
rules governing working conditions.
Recognition Of the union is not a part
OF the controversy.
Pacific coast manager Gilman has
been informed of the contemplated
action of the operators. He is be-
1ieved will not accede to the demands
made by the men.
The demand for increased wages, III
is stated, has come from men who
are not In the employ of the Marconil
Company. The Marconi employees
have not shown so far that this COM
,nittee represent them.
A strike vote taken among the men
at San Francisco resulted. 1t is stated,
in only one-third voting to strike.
II is said that, anticipating such a
possibility, the company for several
months has been preparing for the
struggle by educating q number of
young men who viii. be placed at work
ON the ships.
Several members Of the Bay Coun-
ties Amateur Wireless Association
have visited the Marconi general Of
fees and consulted with the mana,
ger. IT is said that the company, I'M
case OF strike, viii endeavor to put
them in the places Of the strikers.
Many Of these amateurs have taken
the government examination and have
certificates which entitle them to be-
come professional operators, If they
desire.
BRIGHT Prospect for Maui Wharf
The prospect for big new wharf
at point not far distant from La
hama is declared as exceedingl;
bright. by those members of the legis-
lature who returned from visit to
the Valley Island. The site ebelieyed
best adapted for the construction OF
the wharf is. at Mala. and about one
mile north of Lahaina. Most of the
land is now owned by the territory.
Material for q rock fill is close at
hand and some seven hundred feet
from the beach a satisfactory depth of
water has been found The wharf as
contemplated would be constructed on
the plan OF an right angle. 1t is
pointed out that all sugar from Pho
neer Mil as well as Lahaina and Kaa-
YlapaIi. freight would be hauled at the
wharf, thereby insuring a steady and
profitable revenue from the start.
The structure is believed can be COM
pieted for $l50,0O0.
-
Sierra improvements Under Way.
The first Of a series of5new suites
de lux. intended for the Oceanic, liner
Sierra. mentioned weeks ago in the
Star-Bulletin, has been completed and
the apartment has received much fa-I
yorable commendaticn by local ship
hing men who visited the ship. upon
arrival yesterday. is the intention
10 install six fine large cabins on the
upper deck, each to be fitted with pri-
sate baths. Brass beds and all the
oonreniences that make for luxury
will be Incorporated in the rooms. The
work is heing done while the vessel
remains at her home port and for that
reason viii extend over a consider.
able period.
Army Transport To Be Repaired at
Bremert0n
SEATTLE, Wash. March - Word
was received at the Puget Sound navy
yard yesterday THAT the contract for
repairing the United States army
transport burnside, used as a cable
ship by the Alaska cable service of the
signal corps. has been awarded to the
Bremerton yard. More than $I00
worth OF repairs viii be made. inclnd-
f,1e, % sy,a,.y+ cat ~ Iuflatscs R,b;c fh ~