Evening journal., 1915-12-27
TnAr SRAMEN,s RILL.

ID L. ARDREN is editor of the Chicago Made in U. S.
ANs A. He is an author and a recognized authority
shipping and commercial matters, especially those
OF international nature He promoted and was secre-
tary of The National Reciprocity Convention that was
held in Chicago in 1906 That was the largest trade
convention held the United States He also was
chairman Of the Russian Trade Conference We call
attention to those things that the following article.
from the pen Of Mr.. Ardrey, the LaFollette Sea-
mems bill may challenge attention and command
ful reading and intelligent consideration:
There has been much discussion Of the Seamen's bill
enacted by the last Congress- and further discussion is
necessary before the purpose Of the bill is fully
derstood The hand Of fate has rested heavily Amer
lean shipping i'm the past fifty and this bin has
already driven from the several American steam
ship lines which had survived the yrannca legsla-
tion OF the past,
1t promotes aud protects drunkenness aud deserton
and il divides the OF ship into classes castles
The sailor is forbidden to take turn al shoveng coal
to make contract to assist in the firing. and the
fireman is forbidden 70 on deck and take hand
at learning the trade OF a sailor Oilers and water
tenders are also created separate castles
II the law applied only TO large passenger ships
which carry a thousand more people its caste pro-
visions might be reasonable TO promote safety, but il
applies to every class OF ships. On freight steamers
caste system in the crew is fatal American ships
to compete with those OF other nations.
On the freight ships Of the maritime nations every
body works, The crews take their turn in the nrc
room wherever there is any work 10 be done The
owners Of these ships not required TO carry aris
tocratic able seamen who lo about the decks during
and quit the ship the moment arrives i'm port
The fremcn on ships do the oing mud attend TO
the pumps The American law requires that ship
shall carry large OF idle "able seamen' who
have specific duties perform and who au-
thorzed to loaf ell the time they are in port COM
tramp steamer under this law must have separate
crews OF fremen. oilers and water tenders
The laws Of all nations deal kindly with the sailor.
giving him protection than is afforded to any
other occupation He is rigdy protected against abuse
oppression. He signs his contract in the presence
OF government officer and his final settlement when
he is discharged Is supervised by the government to
protect him against fraud. II he is taken sick in a
strange port II ho gets into trouble through his
misconduct. the consul OF his country takes OF
him. II he is stranded and cannot get work his con-
sui pays his way home. His food is regulated by law
in quantity and quality and he fares twice well
the hired the farm the worker in any other
occupation His quarters must be sanitary and com
ply with rigid inspection, and even the amount of air
space in his sleeping quarters Is fixed by law All
nations protect their sailors by these laws without al
lowing them to "run the ship"
The American law goes beyond reason by running
the employer ship owner with conditions which
drive the American flag from the ocean. The hobo
sailor is allowed to the shin according TO his own
notions and the maritime nations which might fear
American competition go earning enormous
profits in the business Of carrying American COM
merce.
As the seamen's bill. rather law, promises to fig
Importantly in the proceedings Of the present
sion Of Congress and also popular discussion
the article reproduced is well worthy of preservation
for in meeting the arguments of those selfshly
interested misguided who purpose combating
the repeal material modification OF that harmful
piece Of Democratic legislation