Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-06-12
HURLEY VOICES PLEA
FOR MERCHANT Marine
Chairman Of Shipping Board
Says Recruits Needed
To Nan Vessels.

Washington, June 12,-Chairman Ed
ward n. Hurley, Of the U. S, shipping
board today issued the following appeal
to the eeuntry for assistance in manning
the new merchant marine, task which
he characterized as one Of the press
ing problems of the hour in the nan
tio's economic readjustment to peace
conditions:
"The backbone of q merchant ma
rine are the men who are in it. We
must have the best obtainable crews for
our new merchant ships. The need is
pressing. American vessels in American
ports today are calling for American
erews--for mates, engineers, seamen.
firemen, cooks and stewards who are
American citizens.
ut is as vital to the nation s pros
perity that we have efficient American
crews on the ships of the new merchant
marine as it is for the railroads to have
skilled and loyal train crews. Every
American farmer, business man and
manufactures, is directly interested. in
a business way, in seeing that this IS
done. It is his duty to help US secure
efficient management at sea of the
great fleet on which so much of the
nations money has been spent.
"It is the patriotic duty Of every
citizen not to forget the needs of the
merchant marine, our third arm Of scr
vice in peace or war We have the ships
lit depends on the people whether we
shall have the men to run them as they
should be run, for best interests OF Am.
erican business, first last and slT the
time.
"Our present greatest need is 70 get
in touch with the American boys who
should man these ships. The need is SO
urgent that | hope every newspaper in
the country viii take notice Of il; that
every preacher viii mention it from his
pulpit; that every city and town, thru
its officials, its chamber of commerce
or other civic bodies, will make a can.
vas of the young men in the conmuni.
ty who might be available for training
as merchant mariners, with view Of
becoming officers, or shipping agents or
foreign trade representatives for Amer
lean interests in the future.
"The shipping board will give lis
fullest cooperation to any community
wishing to send it boys for the merchant
marine. Applicants for training win be
directed to the nearest enrolling agent,
of which the board has $500. Those ac-
eepted will proceed to a seaport with
out cost for railroad fare, which will
be refunded to them by the board. They
will be placed on training ships, on nav.
put into uniform, and taught the funda.
mentals Of their new trade before be.
ing sent to sea in merchant crews.
I'VE want American boys from 1s
years old up. We want them now, with
out a days delay. We can take all OF
the right kind who come. We also want
more mature material. Exservice men
are welcome, especially former navy
men who are qualified by seagoing ex-
perience to become merchant marine Of
ficers. We will train such men in nayi-
gation, without cost to them, for see
ond or third mates licenses. We will
also train high school graduates who
have been one year at sea, fer third
mates licenses. Third mates in the
merchant marine arc. now earning an
average Of $156 a month, with board
and quarters free. Second mate average
$l75 q month.
eve also want to hear from maehin-
lists and engineers, and will train them.
at the best technical colleges. for en-
gineers licenses in the merchant marine
We want to hear also from merchant
marine Officers who want raise in rat.
ing. We win help them get It.. with
free instruction.
The shipping board win welcome
letters or telegrams on this subject con.
tanning applications or suggestions.
They may be sent direct to the director
Of the boards recruiting service. Hen.
ry Howard, at the Custom House, Bos
TONI