Valdez daily prospector., 1915-09-30
Communication.
Valdez, Alaska, Sept. 3(

Valdez, Alaska, Sept. 30. Dear Sir: feel prompted to offer comment on Long Range Legisla- tion," appearing in your issue of the 18th inst. I think the writer of that article is misinformed concerning at least, those who are responsible for it's being, and it's probable effect on Scandinavian seamen. I am quite certain the President or Secretary of the Coast Seaman's Union of the Pa cif1c, himself Scandinavian seaman, is the author of said legislation, and boasted publicly that it had been his dream for years, therefore so far as MT. LaFollette is concerned, he may just as we'll have been from the in- land as elsewhere, and the Scandina- vian seamen of the Pacific will likely give him their united support, even though he may be progressive and that is likely the extent of his inter- est in the matter. From what little know of said law it has little or no effect on our coastwfse shipping, for while, on some vessels a couple of seamen may be found who speak lit tie or no English, it is not by any means the rule.
 am of the opinion that our coast wise shipping already complies with the provisions of the seamen's law! l do not see where the Scandinavian seamen have any kick coming. They got what they wanted, and through their own agent. It is absurd to ask that any American ship, especially in the passenger service, be allowed to operate except where either master and officers understand the language of the crew, or the crew the language of the officers, and certainly any Scandinavian or German who com pands an American ship ought to be required to use the language of the flag over his head wherever possible.
 I also take exception to the state ment that Scandinavian seamen are superior to those or any other nation as rule they are good men, but we need not go to Norway or Sweden to get capable men for any class of vessel.
 It is the shipping to- the Orient which suffers by this law, for it will no doubt work great hardship on such shipowners, but if they were forced to give up their Oriental crews there is no reason to suppose they would seek Scandinavians who could not speak at least little English, especially as a sufficient number could likely be secured who could |speak English and just as cheap. Therefore, fail to see why any con- |sideration should be shown to the sea- man of any particular nation, until such seamen can understand reason ably we'll the orders of their officers. A merchant marine, like most other useful things, is created by necessity. The American people and capital also lost interest in their merchant ma rine, because their attention was at- tracted by the great inland opportu- mites, and the necessity of England being great, together with the fact that they could build cheaper, caused us to drop out of the race.
 While it is true the American ship is required to pay the most wages and feeds better than the average English ship, 1t is also true that the American sailor is required to do the most work, both at sea. and handling cargo in port. .. 1... N
 am also of the opinion that Brit ish legislation in favor of her sea men and the inspection of ships, as to equipment, space allowed individ- uals, and depth to which ships may be loaded are at least as stringent as are the American laws, so it Is doubtful If those shipowners who transfer to the British flag will get much relief if that is their only rea- son for so doing.
 D. E. MORRIS.