New-York tribune., 1921-05-19
Sea W age Cut
Must Be Made.
Benson States
All Resources of Shipping
Board VIII BE Used 10 De-
feat Union Labor Blo.
at the Merchant Marine
Reduction Is Imperative
Workers Attitude Declared
To Be 'Uncomprom;sing
Shippers Aid Asked For

A is per cent cut in marine wage
scales is not only justified but in-
psrative, Admiral W S. Benson. chair
nan Of the Shipping Board, declared
IN an address delivered at the con-
ference OF the National Association Of
Manufacturers at the Waldorf-Astoria
yesterday afternoon.
s0n this basis,' ne said, s'I take nv
stand and wil adhere TO it unoualj-
sedIy' All of the Shipping Boards
resources, he added, will be used to
rrsvent the success Of union labor's
sFort 70 defsat the permanent re-
establishments Of the American mer-
chant marine.
Progress Being Made
SIT is with great deal of gratif,-
estion, considering the grave issues
We have faced during the last few
weeks, that I, representing the United
States government in its work of re-
establishing the merchant marine. can
report material progress in the adjust
nent Of vexatious labor situation y
said Admiral Benson. Every few busi-
ness men, unless their interests lie
strictly in shipping overseas, have a
conception OF the complex problems
confronting the Shipping Board from
day TO day IN the operation of the
largest feet under single control in
the history of the world.
aW-bnr
the war measures which we had to
pursue TO defeat the enemy, all our
efforts were strained in the direction
OF bringing about quick and decisive
result During the war period it was
necessary for us to consider recruit
ing. In connection with this recrutiner
work We were obliged to give a great
deal o. consideration to the power of
paid publicity, ! became an absoluta
believer in the United States govern
ment paying for such messages as it
desired carried, which, strictly speak
ing came within the province of ad-
Yertising.
When, in March of last year. we
began study Of the work before the
shipping Roard I became convinced
shat advertising. strictly carried out,
would help solve some Of the most
n.
Il has
1T is particularly apropos at this
nme, with the labor situation con-
fronting us, to refer briefly TO our
mSerdsing campaign. This campaign
Mlsn last August and has about
iashed a point where it affects. in a
Eiterial sense, the passenger ships of
tie government fleet. Faced as we
SsFe IN the latter part of last month
g q threatened tieup OF our shipping,
Es found 1t necessary to either stop
CUT advertising at once or go ahead
Iui force. We refused TO let go. Our
campaign continues full force,
Popular Appeal Sounded
! am an ardent believer in the
power Of the press. | do not believe
mat printed word ever gets very far
Il 1t expresses an insincere or unsound
snought. man who sounds the
DEPTHS in an appeal to the American
people can do it only when his thought
y clothed in truth and expressed with
sincerity.
America is ship independent. Amer
lea VIII remain so. Although We found
america had become ship minded to
sone extent, 1t was most esse ntial that
ringing appeal to the patriotic i'm
L..
paf campaign TO arouse the American
traveller to full support is meeting
WIN success. Passenger ship business
Was IN tuil swing when the labor con-
sfoYersy threatened its success. We
aa'e carried the slogan Ship and Sail
~ american Ships into every Amer
lsan nome and every American busi-
us, nsas mouse. We have flung to every
MthAlng man the thought that Amer
isan SHIPS now sail the seven seas and
wsS up TO him TO support our re-
created merchant marine. And the
ssgohse is most encouraging.
ioa men, representing the great
asassauIacturing plants of this United
oa csSses' can make or mar Americas
tpporSunity. That opportunity is call
l. Spoh you to-day. That opportunity
ohlp and Sail in American Ships.s
larry that message into everv line If
eeausayor In the long run YOU will
.t. ing 1t pays dividends to shin in our
s.aIps, or rather your ships, because.
saItiy spea.ing, each one of us is a
r, rsoeAnoiaef IN this splendid feet of
iii;shahtmen saii; and passenger ships now
saihg tne seven seas. | have refused
Secognlze any move as a reason to
lef one moment the campaign
't, aow oeing carried or in Americsn n
,yslhpiIicatlons. This is due to the
Snoiesome interest and support of the
BUSINESS men of America.
American Support Vital
~. want you to have before Won to-
tnese facts which we must con-
s,ees IN the work of the board: We
s e the operator of the largest feet
saaef single control in the Steamship
sna sUlia y Our ships must carry cargo
p sSi she cargo carried must be profit
sole, otherwise the government suf-
49, serious tinancial loss. Our pass
sagef services must be given full sup
sois 81 the American tourist and the
slssgeling public or this splendid fleet
passenger vessels will be a. white
espaaht on our hands, and source
expense instead of profit to the
United States.
am firm believer in nrfvs+e own
sfship. Our ships are being onerated
" private steamship operators who
sst as our agents. The ghipninp act
ssssilieaily states that our merchant
controlled o"Hea anu
s.u are hopeful that when the
sSi1 ssfiod Of readjustment is past there
sns @ oe ready market for our ships,
s our merchant marine, privately
@nea and controlled, will be an as.
mat su TACT. Meanwhile the govern
msnt must carry on the ndoSeerino
ni.. ana, as chairman of the Ship
slag Board, ! propose to carry ohf nv
go. or she Job in the we'll established
ens aefclal way. We believe. from
a. results results up to the present moment,
L. ;