The Washington herald., 1921-05-04
Benson Hopeful Today's
Conference May End
Dispute.
ENGINEERS REFUSE
ANY CUT IN WAGES
Mob in Baltimore Beats
Up Crew, Forcing
Them Ashore.

Shipowners and operators VIII
resume negotiations with repre-
sentatives of the striking seamen
at the Offices Of the United states
Shipping Board today;
Characterizing the situation as
very hopeful" Admiral Benson
chairman of the board. made this
announcement last night.
They are now on their way to
Washington" said Admiral Benson
"and I have reason to believe that
the union 5leaders will meet with
them. and that Secretary Of Labor
Davis and Secretary of Commerce
Hoover will be present"
Unions stand Firm.
Admiral Benson's announcement
followed a series of conferences in
which representatives of the unions
continued to stand out firmly
against any wage reduction. Ex-
cept for the report OF hopeful
progress received by President
Harding at the Cabinet meeting yes
terday, the situation oil the face Of
it did not appear to be any nearer
solution.
Secretary Davis spent yesterday
trying to win over the general con-
ference of the Marine Engineers
Benefcent Association. admittedly
the dominating union of the tie-up.
At the close of the conference Seq
retary Davis said there were no re-
suits to report. The meeting, he
said. will be resumed today.
Fights Cut I'm Wages.
Thomas B. Hesiey. chairman Of
u the Marine Engineers Committee.
declared It was hopeless to discuss
acceptance of Is percent redue-
tion In wages. Added to the reduc-
tion in overtime and subsistence al
Iowances, IT would amount really to
81 per cent cut, he asserted.
The men are willing to discuss
raising the efficiency standard so as
to prevent imposition of overtime
allowances. according to Healey.
THIS would save shipowners prac-
tIcaIIy as much as the proposed
wage reductions. he contended-
Tug Men Likely to Go Out.
Mr.. Healey declared there is
every likelihood that the harbor
tug men will go out unless there.
is an early settlement. All ship
ping. both foreign and domestic.
would then be tied up in American
ports
The men are not going to back
down on the wage proposition" de-
Clared Burt Todd. another member
of the committee.
Labor Department officials as
serted that a compromise could
easily be reached with branches of
the shipping craft below the rank
of engineers, who are paid more
than $500 a month and who conse-
quentIy would suffer most by the
is per cent wage cut
Samuel Gompers and Gen. W. W.
Atterbury. counsel of the Associa-
tion of Railway Executives, were in
separate conferences with Secretary
Davis yesterday. They denied. how
ever, that their visit related to the
strike.
Disavows Coercion.
Admiral Benson last night dis
avowed any intention of combating
the strike through coercive meas
ures. such as universal use of ma
val reservists. Referring to the
fact that the Old North Shore, first
mail and passenger ship to clear
port since the beginning of the
strike. had sailed yesterday from
New York with full complement of
crew and passengers. Admiral Ben
son said II was in connection with
this sailing that he had suggested
the use of naval reservistS
Il never have had any intention
of making any extended call for
reservists or of utilizing force in
any way" he continued TO do
so il would be necessary to appeal
to the President, and I have al
ready indicated that I wish to avoid
adding to his burden"
Must Cut Out Graft.
The whole question outside the
1s per cent reduction Is entirely
one of cutting out graft, Admiral
Benson said in reply to published
statements of union leaders that
the reduction really amounted to so
per cent.
Our estimates show" the admi-
raj said. that the Shipping Board
paid out ss.0oo.ooo last year as graft
In the form of overtime pay. The
men admitted II at the recent con-
ferenees and it is that graft that
We will eliminate in the new work
ing regulations"
The only report of disturbances
to reach him. Admiral Benson said,
had come from Baltimore, where,
he was informed. $50 men had gone
ABOARD a shipping Board vesss
there, beat up the crew and forced
them ashore, Referring TO the in
cldent as "an outrage" Admiral
Benson stated that extra poIice nrn.