The Washington times., 1921-04-27

union preference. The Shipping
Board as Government institution
must stand for that equality In Its re-
lations TO the Government which Is
guaranteed to every citizen by the
Constitution OF the United States. So
far ms points two. three AID four
concerned, Il In my opinion that any
act Of Congress. until dsnniteiy re-
pealed Of medtned. 50 long as IL
stapds upon the statute books shoulj
be enforced BY the department charg-
81 with such enforcement.
I'VE now come to the point OF
determining what is reasonable
basis for readjusting wages and con-
dltions In the merchant marine. i
have given much thought to this
matter. / want to be fair to the
interests OF the men and officers who
are manning our ships, to the opera
tors and owners who are running
ITEM, and to the people of the United
states who look to the Shipping
Soard to protect their interests in
he merchant marine. All OF US
'hould consider the interests of the
private shipowner In foreign trade
who is manfully carrying the burSen
II competition unassisted by the
government. ] have weighed This
pstter carefully and long, have
AIKEN advice freely. and have come
g a mature and well considered con-
'lusion. I might come to you with
figures in excess of those which I
think should really be put into eff
feet in order that we Night trade
together. This would not only be
impossible when you are dealing
with the Government, but would also
he repugnant to my sense Of fairness.
will, therefore, tell you that I an
convinced that the ecOnomic cendi-
tions at the present time fully war
rant . reduction In marine wages. I
ann convinced that the amount Of
this reduction must be not less than
l5 per cent Of the present wage
scales- am convinced that the
maintenance of overtime which has
been subject to such notorious abuses
and which Ia so foreign to the spirit
and customs of the sea IL improper
and that It should be virtually elm
mated. j am convinced that the
OF tho night deck and
engineer officers IL not warranted
and that there should also be Q
sistance allowance, and such other
notifications OF the working rules
should be made as will make for
efficiency and economy of operation.
REIMBURSEMENT IS NECESSARY.
These are my views of a reason
able adjustment Of this present mat
ter ana the basin on which the Ship
ping Board must and will act.
These matters so vital to the sue
cess Of our merchant marine should
be considered. and adjusted on a rea-
sonable basis. What I have stated
above represents the Shipping Boards
views OF what constitute a reason
able basis, The. Shipping Board. as
of the money Of the people
o. the United States. cannot compro-
mise a vital principle. IT must insist
upon equitable adjustment OF the
present wage scale and working con-
ditions in order to efficiently operate
lite ships. The United States is deter
mined to have a merchant marine and
the Shipping Board, so far as Is pos
sible, IL endeavoring to have it's ships
American manned. I make an earnest
appeal to all of you who have the
interest OF our merchant marine at
heart to come with me and the Ship
ping Board in making the above
basis effective and In cooperating to
secure a readtustment Of these condi.
tons in line with those OF other
American industries"