Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-05-03
VESSELS TO OPERATE
DESPITE WALkOUT
Navy Yard Called on to Aid
Mail Steamer
PROTECTION OFFERED
Admiral Benso nto Give Aid to Lyyal
Workers-Wage Scale Being En-
amined by Secretary Davis.

Washington, May 3.-Und~r no
circumstances will the strike of the
marine workers Interfere with the
operation of vessels belonging to the
United States Shipping Board, where
tnase involve the carrying out Of de-
finite government contracts as car
ricd on by law.
This important Development III the
situation was made known today in
part through formal statement is
sued by Admiral w. S. Benson, dha'r-
man cf the United States Shipping
Board, defending his action in put
ting into effect Is per cent. cut IL
ages. as just and economically sound
and announcing that the board w2u!A
continue to "uSc all the resources at
its command" in protecting the IN
terests of the people N the merchant
marine.
OF far greater Importance, however.
was the ascertaired fac: that the Snip
ing Board communicated today with
the Third Naval district at New York,
calling on the commantlant Of the
navy YARD there to assist in manning
the mail ship North State. if such as.
sistance should be found necessary.
This is Indicative of an intention on
the part CT Admiral Benson to keep
the Shipping Board vessels III move
nlert under any and all circumstances
For the frs. time during the pre-
sent controversy has the TRANSMISSION
Of th4. mails been Drought into the SIT
uation as a deciding factor IN action.
1t was pointed out today that stiI!
ether considerations are involved by
the fact that the threatened strike Will
include government owned veSSeFS ~
;ts scene. Under the terms Of the
Shfpping act it is made imperative Or
the government to establish an Amer
can merchan; marine and TO maintain
trade routes. With this virtually !e%a:
cornpulsion, It is indicated the govern.
men, is paced in the position of beng
forced t.. run its ships, while On the
ether hard any action which wouli
prevent their operation places thcS>
who decree such action in violation Of
the Federal laws. (,
In his formal Statement, Adm!rai
Benson indicated IN general te:ms
that n, effort would be withheld to
keep the Shipping Bcari's vesseas
going, and declared that full protec.
t;cn" wouid ne given 20 all who rend-
cred assistance.
Existing economic conditions fully
Justify the readjustmcnt OF wage
scales and working cc!rd!alons on the
moderat. and reasonable bass an
nouncei by the BoarA,' said Admlra,
Benson. 1T will indeed be unfortunate
if the pc! sonnel of the merchant ma
rine psrs;sts in refusing to do their
mart, in he labor liquidation OF the
marine industry while still oerefittin2
by the labor liquidation in other IN
dus,ral fields.
The Shipping Board is continuing
It's efforts to keep i;s ships in opera
ton. Tn. reports from its districts OIL
all coasts show that it is meeting with
gratifyin. success. tbs indicates thai
ths personnel on its ships agrees with
the nos tion taken by the Board.
This is time for all loyal citizens
70 rally 70 the support Of their flag.
Full protection both now and after the
conti oversy is Settle!. will be given
~ the Shipping Board to@all those
who couz. 10 It's assistance in keep
irr the SHIPS in operation.
The Shipping Board viii continue
n uSe all the resources at It's COM
mand in prctecting The interests OF
the merchan: marine OF the people OF
the United States"
--latest reports az the Shipping
Board last night were that but two OF
its vessels RAD been tied UP thus far
One cf the means of obtaining crew:
II was stated is found in the pace:
ment B,:eayi of the Board. which
keeps = rec7rd7of men available fo'
service. jr-csse fo1 emergency. ~-
Secretary ef Labor Davis, secre.
| tarv of Commerce Hoover and: -Ad.
(Continued on page three)