The sun., 1919-07-23
STAND EXPLAINED
BY SHIPPING BOARD
Says It's Decision Was Fair and
Men Should Return to
" Work.
WAGES WORLDS HIGHEST
Firemen Deserted Vessels
While Negotiations Were
Still in Progress.
SneSar DespatcA 10 TIE sun

WASHINGTON. July 22.---The Shipping
Board issued tonight a statement defln-
ing its attitude in the strike OF ship
workers In New York and elsewhere
along the Atlantic coast. Tho board
takes the position that its decision with
respect 10 wages and working conditions
was fair and that the men should re-
turn to work. The statement follows:
"ln view OF the serious situation now
| existing on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts,
brought about by strike of the sailors
| and fremens organizations. the Shipping
Board feels that IL should state the is
sues involved In the controversy and
make known its position publicly through
the press.
Prior to the calling OF the present
| strike there had been negotiations ex-
| tending over period of many weeks
The object OF these negotiations was to
| secure a general agreement regarding
| wages and working conditions to be in
effect for one year. and to be signed by
| the representatives OF the unions, OF the
private vessel owners and with the Ship
| ping Board. On or about July 7 II be
| came apparent that such an agreement
| could not be secured. and the negotia-
lions looking toward this end were termi-
| mated.
| THE Shipping Board. as a vessel op'
| orator. then endeavored to \negotiatt
a settlement with the union. ~ far al
| conditions on its own vessels were con
| cerned. but while the negotiations were
| in progress some of thhe firemen begar
| to leave the vessels. Shortly thereafter
| the marine lremen's organization de.
| olared a strike against privately owned
vessels, which was subsequently extended
| to Shipping Board vessels. This step wa;
| closely followed by similar action on the
part of the sailors union
| 1.-THE sailors union also added de
] nand for a wage increase similar to tha'
| already asked for by the fremen. ant
both organizations requested the Ship
ping Board to act on all matters sub
| mitted.
THE demands, in their present form
| consist chiefly IN request for fat sl'
increase In the monthly pay OF the meT
| involved; the eight hour day In port
the three watch system for the decl
crew, and request that union men b'
| employed when available in preference
| to non-union men.
| After carefully considering the mat
tiers at Issue. the Shipping Board OF
| July 10 announced a fat SO increase
| for the men involved and the establish
| nent OF an eight hour day In port. or
| account of the present scarcity OF sea
men. the shipping Board lid not fee
that II could grant at this time three
watch system. which would tend to in
crease the size Of crews and which would
establish n wholly new method of divid
ing work on vessels sailing from At
lantic and Gulf ports. On all othei
questions the shipping Board held itsel
| open to adjustment by negotiation, oil
the understanding that pending sucl
negotiation, the Shipping Board would
continue its present practice, which hai
| always been one OF close cooperation
with organized labor.
The u S shipping Board has no in
tention of changing its former practice
Of employing men on their ships and be
lieves that the arrangements that hav
been made with union labor to emplo,
seamen firemen. oilers. cooks and stew