The New York herald., 1921-04-26
Seamen Also Refuse Com
promise OH Differences
Over Working Condi-
tiOns With Owners.
SHIPPING TIEUP LOOMS
Wage Reduction Rejected and
Men Insist on Elimination
Of Boards Sea Ser
vice Bureau.

While representatives Of the Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association were
voting yesterday to stand pat in their
controversy with steamship operators
and the United States Shipping Board.
representatives Of the seamen. fire.
men, water tenders and oilers also re-
fused to come to any compromise with
the American Steamship Owners AS
eociation, the private organization that
was endeavoring to make settlement
Late yesterday afternoon it was an
nounced that Admiral William S. Ben
son, chairman Of the Shipping Board,
had called a conference Of the con-
nicting interests in washington Tor
tomorrow. The success of this con-
ference seemed last night to be the
only remaining chance Of averting
strike that would directly involve at
least 115, 900 MEN and probably throw
four times that number out OF work,
as we'll as tie UP virtually all Ameri-
can ocean shipping.
Under the guidance of William 5.
Brown, international president OF the
marine engineers. and Thomas B. Heaiy'
head of the local union. the representa-
tves Of that organization voted to ac-
cept no wage reductions prior to May l.
when the existing agreement with the
Government terminates. unless other
wise instructed" A proclamation to
that effect was sent out. and the intirna-
ton was that only Admiral Benson's call
for a conference on Wednesday pre-
vented a definite strike order. Such an
order in the face OF an invitatiou~to
further parley. II was felt. would have
prejudiced the engineers case.
The Governments Intervention is the
direct result OF the failure of the nego-
tiations between the seamen and the
private operators, who control approx
fmately three-sevenths of the American
merchant marine The controversy RACES
around the proposed reduction of ap-
proximately 25 per cent in the seamen's
nay and the following more important
demands of the men:
That preference In all cases be given
to members Of the unions;
That the Sea Service Bureau OF the
United States Shipping Board be abol-
ished:
That the unions have the right and
power to pass on the competency and
qualifications of applicants for seagoing
Jobs: and.
That the various provisions of the
Ia Toilette seamen's act regarding
safety appliances and providing that at
least 75 per cent. of the crews shall
speak the language of the officers be
enforced.
Darragh de Lancey. Director OF In
dustrial Relations OF the Shipping Board,
who was present at yesterdays con-
ferences. declared that the Government
was absolutely opposed to the granting
of any preference TO union over non
union American citizens; that II was
opposed to abolition of the Sea Service
Bureau and that II wanted suDstan-
tial reduction In the cost Of operation.
In that connection. the Governments
own figures OF the estimated reduction In
the cost Of living OF between l5 and 20
per cent were limited at as a possible
basis of agreement on the wage issue.
Furuseth Gives Views.
Andrew Furuseth. president of the
National Seamen's Union OF America,
which embraces all the organizations In
volved In the controversy except the
marine engineers. after his series of
conferences with the representatives of
the operators, said the men had al
ready voted not to accept any wage re-
auctions and that these had not been
discussed at length.
What We want" he said. is the
abolition OF the Sea Service Bureau. II
Is a menace because II prevents putting
American citizens on the sea and keep
ing them there. We also want prefer
ence for union men. and In recognition
OF that preference viii guarantee 70 take
no person into the union who is not
capable OF doing the work for which he
is being paid.
Wage reductions are not justified
either by economic iconditions or By de-
creased living costs. At this time they
are not only unjust. but unnecessary.
It's all ended as far as we are con-
cerned The men won't accept wage
cuts, so we will let them lock us out"
The latest figures available, those Of
April 1, showed the privately operated
vessels OF the American merchant ma
rine to number 1.91T vessels. with gross
tonnage OF 5,i25.o73 In addition the
Shipping Board operates t.77s vessels.
with gross tonnage OF 7.T90,T3G. Those
figures are Tor privately operated ves-
sets of over 600 tons and Shipping Board
vessels of over 1000 tons. But the fig
ures also show that approximately so per
cent. OF the Shipping Boards vessels al
ready are tied up and rs per cent. OF the
privately owned.
During the conference with the ship
Continued on Ninth Page.