Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-01-30
MANY RELUCTANT
f.. TO DESERT VESSELS
Continues from Page y i

II
i tke their places, without occasionthe
delay in maintaining the regular coast
ihF schedules. <
Officers Reluctant to Strike.
There are many officers now with
the Inter-Island Company who have
been engaged in the eeasting trade
between the islands for decade or
more, that are now known to hesitate
in aligning themselves with what Is
termed minority representation OF
the masters and mates who are strong
IN their demands for a settlement Of
The differences Of opinion between OFF,
GERS and company, by calling out a
general strike. - -.
There are now scores of men with
the nter-Island, who have served the
better part Of their lives IN The service
of the company, who are extremely re-
luctant to give up profitable employ
Raent, in order to assist certain fac
ton Of men with the local masters and
mates organization in gaining taeir
point" was the comment offered this
morning by shipping man, not afiliat
ed with the Inter-Island cmpany, but
who has watched the progress of the
present controversy between the COM
'psny and some of its officers with
much interest. -..' h.. H. p. :
IF compelled to leave the COM
.pany, through no personal grievance,
a number of Hawaiians who. have
worked up in the coasting trade, will
find themselves without profitable
employment. and deprived of the
means of making an. easy living, as
has been the case with mates and
others who for years have been
identified with the company.
Many of the men, who now fear
that they may become involved in
strike, own their own homes in this
or one of the other island ports. To
be dropped from the pay roll at this.
time is believed would spell disaster
End hardships in many homes.
Steamers Loaded and Ready to Sail
The Inter-Island steamer Helene,
has been loaded with a large quantity
of lumber, fertilizer and explosives
and departed at 1915 this afternoon
for Kona and Kau ports. Captain
Lane is master of the Helene, and
one of the old-time employees Of the
company. Up to the noon hour to
day, all officers belonging to the
Helene had reported for duty.
Captain Oness is master Of the
Inter-lsland steamer w. G. Hall that
Is also being made ready to proceed
to sea at five o'clock this evening,
taking United States mails, passengers
and general cargo for ports along the
coast OF Kauai. -. ~. IT,
While Captain Oness has taken an
active part in the series of confer
ences between the masters and mates
and the directorate of the steamship
company, il is generally believed that
he will continue in command Of the
vessel which. is scheduled to depart
this evening.
Captain Thompson, whom the local
organization of masters and mates
have selected as one of the factors of
contention in the present controversy,
arrived from Kauai this morning, as
master of the steamer Niihau.
One vessel master who Is now re.
moved from the storm center of the
contest is Captain Nelson, of the
steamer Claudine, an arrival this
morning. Captain Nelson has just
fallen into a snug berth as harbor
master at Pearl Hafbor,, at fat
salary of three thousand year.
Matson Company Not involved. .
Much interest was awakened this
morning by the statement alleged to-
have been made by members of the
masters and mates association that
unless the present difficulty was speed
lily adjusted, general tie-up OF all
trans-pacific shipping would results
The prediction was circulated today
that the Matson Navigation line would
be brought into the matter. as well as
the Pacific Mail and the Oceanic line.
From the story circulated along the.
waterfront. 1t was alleged that mas
ters' and mates organizations exist
all along the Pacific coast. A strike
in the Inter-lsland service would
therefore mean that. shippers in the
larger liners would necessarily take
up the fight on the ground that cargo
from Inter.fsland steam
ers to their commands, was being
with the assistance Of Of
ficers, outside of the regular; .organiza
zion. -. 49,. ..-.- E. ...r. =.
Claim Characterized as Absurd.
Officers In the Matson Navigation
service who have visited the port in
the Wilhelmina and the Hyades de-
clare that the possibility of strike
among local vessel masters involving
in the Matson company is alb
surd.
1t was stated today that something
like a year ago, Captain Matson called
a conference of his officers. it, was
then brought to the attention of all
officers in :. the service that should
they eleact to cease in their affiliation