The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-05-04
SEAMEN'S STRIKE
NOT GENERAL
Some of the Marine Workers
Have Walked Out Rather Than
Accept Cut, But Others
Wait On Arbitration

here today indicated that some work
ers are walking out rather than ac-
cept the wage cut Of Is per cent.
which, became effective at midnight
last night, Secretary Davis con-
controversy which threatens q gen
eral tie up Of shipping at Atlantic
Pacific and Gulf ports, but without
apparent definite result.
Inasmuch as the unions have re-
quested that wage commission be
appointed by direction of President
Harding to adjust the dispute and
shipping board officials have said
they would follow the wishes Of the
president, It was said tonight that
the next move would perhaps come
from the ship owners.
Some confusion was apparent to-
night regarding the appointment Of
I commission by direction of the pres
dent to decide the controversy as
requested by union heads. At the
White House it was reiterated that
the matter had been placed by the
president entirely in the hands of
Secretaries Davis and Hoover.
At the department OF labor. how
ever, it was said that Secretary Davis
had not been so informed by she
president and it was indicated that
the matter was still in the hands
of the president 80 far as the ap-
pointment Of commission was con-
eerned. Secretary Hoover. commerce
department officials. said, has as yet
taken no step in the matter. Union
heads declare that they also were
without information as to what ac-
ton the president had taken in re-
Spouse to their request.
While orders for a IS per cent
wage cut were issued Friday after
:he marine workers refusal to ac-
:ept Chairman Benson's proposals
::or a new wage agreement. shipping
5oard officials. declared the final ad-
gustment Of the controversy would
await any action President: Harding
might take. So. far. board officials
,tatea, few ships Have, been held in
port because OF the men refusing to
sign atsthe ssapeed wage. ;,,g
Ultimate disposal of pthe marine
labor problen having been, placed in
The hands ). OF secretaries Davis and
Hoover, according ITO White House
statement. It was believed that the
labor department conferences with
union heads might be preparatory to
q wage commission. Selection OF q
third party by the two secretaries
to serve with them as board. 1t
as said. would fulfil tie require
uents of the unions request.
New York, May j.. - Although
,nion leaders declared tonight that
j, strike had not been. called, three
marine; workers unions, meeting here
oday voted to reject the is per cent
Fage cut proposed by the United
States shipping board Until the pro
posed: working conditions are mod
led.
The three Organizations were the
nter1ationA seamens union, the Ma
ire Firenen, Oilers and Watertend-
rs union, and the Marine Engineers
inion.
At ali three meetings the marine
workers. voted to reship. only on YES
,els Offering the former wage scale
with former conditions which have
,een refused by private owners and
ne shipping board.
Union leaders here term the sus-
pension of work lockout" and de-
:lare that the owners are attempting
10 restore the - hour day without
payment for overtime. This, the
union men insist, amounts in reality
o a wage cut of 40 10 20 rather than
Is per cent.
The marine workers predict that
approximately 10000 seamen and TO-
300 oilers and; fireinen will leave
ships now in port here within the
next "a hours. No pickets will be
posted it was said. unless steamship
owners attempt 70 employ strike
breakers. Members of the Interna-
,ional Seamen's union took no action
On the report of Andrew Furuseth. its
president, who is in Washington
awaiting results OF an appeal to
President Harding TO prevent a ma
,ionwide tie-up OF seagoing vessels,
following the failure Of the confer
ance between employers and workers.
The action taken by the marine
workers here today was reported by
wireless to all ships flying tie !
American flag. The crews OF vessels
at sea, it was said, will not be ar-
tected Immediately by the walkout
vote as they are signed under the
old conditions to the end Of the voy-
age.
Thomas E. Healey, business agent /:
for the Marine Engineers Beneticlat !
one OF the organizations
which voted to reject the shipping
board proposal. declared the engl7
neers would observe the conditions
by their licenses before quit !
ting their ships. The conditions re- ;
ouire thu engineers 10 siFe ~ hours
notice and to leave AL machinery iii :
their care in good condition .
Healev predicted 5000 engineers I
would leave their ships within "a