The New York herald., 1921-04-21
MARINE WORKERS
NEAR AGREEMENT
Adjustment of Differences
With Steamship Owners
Deemed Probable.
MEETING NEXT MONDAY
Cooks and Stewards Pre-
pared to Accept Small
Cut in Wages.
ENGINEERS CONCILIATORY
Union Threat of Strike Weak
ened by Prevalent I'm
employment.
ENGINEERS CONCILIATORY

Hope OF a satisfactory settlement
before May OF the wage differences
existing between the American Steam
ship Owners Association and the ma
rine workers was expressed last night
by both sides. The danger of a strike
which would tie up shipping on all
coasts is still evident. for many con-
cessions must be made before an
agreement can be reached.
Two developments yesterday led to
the belief that all differences might be
adjusted.
First. 1t was intin1ated that the
cooks and stewards. unlike the other
three unions affected, would be willing
TO accept some reduction in pay and
drastic notifications in working condi-
tons
Second. il was announced that the
marine engineers. who broke off all
negotiations Tuesday. had agreed to
meet the wage committee of the owners
again next Monday morning.
Conferences Yesterday OF the owners
and representatives OF the reamen, cooks
and stewards were aincable and will be
continued as soon as new proposals and
counter proposals. have been decided
upon
Unions whose wage agreements expire
May and who are directly concerned in
the present negotiations are the Inter
national Seamen's Union OF America. the
Marine Engineers Beneficial Aseocia-
ton, the National Organization OF Fire
men, Oilers and Water Tenders and the
Cooks and Stewards Association. Mem
bers OF the American Steamship Owners
Association said yesterday that the
wages OF masters. mates and pilots will
be cut just as soon as the existing agree
ment with their union ends on August ].
Andrew Furuseth. president of the
seamen. who number approximately
10000 men. led a committee to the
meeting yesterday morning 1t II Bat
terry place and was handed the follow
Ing proposed wage reductions Carpen-
ters. $75 instead of 800 a month car
pcnters' mates. $40 instead Of sa5
boatswains. SIS instead OF s95 quarter
masters, $3.50 instead OF $3.50: able
seamen. SOS instead of $50. and ordinary
seamen. $40 instead OF seo. In addition
II was proposed that overtime be sub
stantially eliminated and the working
day in port be Increased from eight to
nine hours
Demands of Seamen.
The scamcn presented six counter pro-
posals, which they said would have TO
be discussed before wages and working
conditions. They call for the abolition
OF the sea service bureau of the United
States Shipping Board: the enforcement
of tho sections of the LaFollette sea-
mems act requiring 70 per cent. of the
crew to be able to speak the language
in which orders are given. making GER
tain requirements as to lifeboats and
other appliances and prescribing regu-
ations as to watch: giving preference
IN employment to union men. and leav-
ing ratings In the hands OF the union.
The senmen object TO the Sea Service
Bureau because II affords non-union men
a change at employment The owners
said they would insist there should be
no discrimination on account of MEM
bership or non-membership IN a union.
Working conditions and wages prob
ably will be taken UP at a meeting Mon
day afternoon. Mr.. Furuseth. insisting