New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-23
SEAMEN'S ACT
CALLED MENACE
National Association of
Manufacturers Urges Re-
vision by Congress.
SAFETY OF VESSELS
AFFECTED, is CHARGE
Resolutions Declare Provisions
in Measure Drive American
Flag from the Pacific.

RAG from the PACING.
Formal resolutions urging on Con-
gress the reconsideration of the sea-
mems act of March 4. 1915. with a
view to its substantial amendment or
repeal, were adopted yesterday by the
board OF directors Of the National As
ISOLATION of Manufacturers at it's of
fees, 30 Church Street, New York City.
Specific criticism Of the act was
based on the language test which il;
enforces, the requirement that 50 per
cent of the deck crew employed shall
ultimately be able seamen. the moral
and legal effect of minimizing the of
fence of desertion and subverting dsci-
pine in the operation of vessels and the
necessity imposed of abrogating at a
critical period in our international re-
lations treaties and conventions with
other nations, any articles of which arc
in conflict with the provisions of the
seamen's act. In the preamble to the
resolution it is stated that the seamen's
act. while containing many commenda- .
bic provisions promoting the safety Of
passengers, properly securing sanitary
and comfortable quarters and proper
food for the crew and protecting sail
ors against maltreatment by ships OH
GERS and the we'll known abuses Of the
"crimp" and the boarding house keep
er, also contains, in the general opin-
ion of those engaged in the shipping
business. improper and injurious pro-
visions which not only unnecessarily
increase the cost and risk of operating
vessels under our flag, but impair. If
they do not threaten, the destruction
of that discipline essential to the safe
and successful conduct Of sea voyage,
while still other provisions imperil the
maintenance Of necessary commercial
conventions at a time Of peculiarly del
icate and critical international rela-
tions.
Reasons Given for Asking Change.
The resolutions urge on Congress the
careful reconsideration, with a view to
substantial amendment or repeal. Of
these sections of said act: All of Sec
tion 4, Paragraph | of Section Z. Sec
tions Is and 16. for the following rea-
sons:
First, because the language test. re-
curing rs per cent Of the crew in each
department Of the ship 20 understand
vessel practically prohibits the EN-
ployment in the foreign trade OF the
Pacific of Chinese and japanese crews.
The experience OF many years has de-
monstrated that such vessels are safely
operated by orders transmitted through
petty officers. through whom all such
orders are customarily transmitted in
the navigation of any large vessel. The
enforcement Of this provision. under
the practiGil conditions Of competitive
marine business on the Pacific. drives
our flag from that sea.
"Second-The requirement that 90
per cent of the deck crews employed
shall ultimately be able seamen is i'm
practicable In operation, disregsrds the
actual duties of deck hands in modern
steamers, and unnecessarily increases
the operating cost of vessels under
American register 70 the point Of prohi-
bition in competition.
Offence of Desertion Minimized.
Third moral and legal effect Of
minimizing the offence Of desertlon
under the special conditions, especially
of the voyage in foreign trade, accom-
panied by the substantial requirements
of half-payment Of the accrued wage
in every port, coupled with the pro-
visions requiring the Collector OF Gus.
toms TO refuse clearance to any vessel
IL. within six hours OF sailing, any
reputable citizen, upon information,
swears that the provisions with respect
TO the language test and quota OF able
seamen has not been complied with, not
only encourages desertion but deliber-
ateiy places premium upon the breach
of the seamen's contract, increasing
highly the risk of every voyage.
ut places it within the power Of in
dividual or combined deserters TO black
mail any vessel into new contract
TO secure its clearance. For while ships
officers may not wrongfully obstruct
commerce by refusing TO perform their
duties, without facing a suspension or
revocation of their license, seamen may
desert at any port without loss OF rat
ing or suspension or revocation OF GER
tificate.
"Fourth-By requiring the abroga,-
ton of all treaties and conventions with
foreign nations, any articles OF when
may conflict with the provisions OF the
seamen's act, we risk the continuance
of many conventions dealing with gen
eral commercial relations n which the
provisions affected By the seamen's act
are merely incidental. We likewise in
cite the treaty powers TO retsllatory
legislation and compel the negotiation
of new arrangements at most critical
period in our international relations
deliberately arousing resentment as
preparation for the negotiation OF new