The New York herald., 1921-05-13
j. S. SEXES 6 SHIPS.
IGNORED WAGE CUT
Benson Orders United Trans
port Vessels of 85, 900 Tons
Deadweight Taken.
so OTHERS ARE IN DANGER
Ten Ships Leave New York
Pacific Asks U. s. Aid
Finish Fight On.

Admiral William S. Benson, chair
man of the United States Shipping
Board, informed private steamship
owners in Washington last night that
If they wish to continue the opera
ton Of Shipping Board vessels they
must place in effect at once the 15'0
decrease in wages which the board
has announced the unions must ac-
cept. AS an illustration of what will
happen If these orders are not obeyed,
admiral Benson issued a formal
order taking six ships, aggregating
about $4,000 deadweight tons, from
the United Transport Company of
New York.
1t could not be learned in Wash
ngton last night just how many ships
will be affected by the decision of the
Shipping Board, but it is said that at
least fifty vessels. some large ones.
will be involved The board is making
an investigation to determine how many
of the private lines have renewed their
contracts with the unions on the old
wage scale. or at a smaller reduction
than the 15 per cent. insisted upon by
take action as soon as he has received
reports.
The position OF the Shipping Board
| is that by meeting the demands of the
men and renewing working agreements
at the old scale certain companies will
procure a monopoly of coastwise ship
ping II the strike becomes general.
Such a strike would force the com
panies holding out for the decrease to
tie up their ships. Admiral Benson also
followed his statement that he would
take the ships from private companies
with another statement that his appeal
for workers to man the ships is meeting
with n gratifying response.
Pacific Coast shipping interests, de-
claring that their operations are vir-
tually at a standstill because of the
strike. telegraphed to Secretary Hoover
and Admiral Benson yesterday asking
them TO urge the President to declare
the situation national emergency and
to have the Government take over the
manning OF ships If the strikers did not
return 10 their posts within forty-eight
hours.
Local steamship operators failed how
ever, to view the situation so gravely as
their Western collea gues. In fact, there
was certain amount OF optimism In
shipping circles here, as ten vessels fly
ing the American flag put to sea. three
manned by non-union crews II was
the largest number to leave this port
since tho strike began on May /.
This occasioned considerable rejoicing
and talk in certain circles about the
peak OF the tieup having been passed,
but In other circles were rumblings about
inJunctions. The prevailing opinion,
however. was that the situation has not
reached the point hero where a recourse
to the courts would be necessary to keep
the flag on the high seas.
A determination to fight to the finish
was voiced on all sides Rear Admiral
Benson announced over the telephone
from Washington ina: negotiations with
the strike leaders had been definitely
terminated" and the strike leaders
themselves boasted strengthening OF
iheir ranks by the crews of eight other
American owned and operated vessels.
1t was generally conceded that the time
for negotiation had passed
Winthrop l.. Marvin. vice-president
and secretary of the American Steam
ship Owners Association, announced that
tho Pacific coast operators had appealed
for aid TO the President through Sec
rotary Hoover and Admiral Benson.
Mr.. Marvin's statement also made 10
known that the China Mail Steamship
Company. which hiss signed up with
the striking unions. had been expelled
from membership In the Pacific Amerl-
can Steamship Association. This COM
panv operates three vessels in the ORR
entail service. two OF which are OF Amer
lean registry and the third OF British
registry. The two American steamers
have American officers In the deck and
engine departments. out the unlicensed
men are all Chinese who are paid the
Hongkong wage scale. about one-third
OF the American scale.
Charles ~. Potter. president OF the
United states ship Operators Associa-
tion. precipitated the discussion OF in
functions by letting Il become known
that he had taken the matter up with
Admiral Benson Only two injunctions
have been obtained thus far against the
striking marine workers--in Baltimore
and New Orleans A statement ema-
mating from Mr.. Potters Office said il
was the belief OF the operators that
union delegates should be prevented
by injunction from going aboard Ship
ping Board steamers and removing their
crews by intimidation and force" The
operators association is composed OF
managers Of Shipping Board vessels.
". n Raymond. president OF the
Steamship Owners Association. called 10
the attention OF members OF the associa-
ton Section f44e, Revised Statutes OF
the United states, and particularly a
decision by the Department Of Commerce
soon after the tugboat strike here This
section has to do with tho revocation OF
the licenses or officers for interfering
with the movement OF vessels Capt
Irving l.. Evans. director OF the recruit
Ing division OF the shipping Board.
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