The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-15
CHARGES WORLD
 CONSPIRACY IN
 SHIPPING ISSUE
Head of Seamen'S Union Says ShipoWnerS Abroad Taking IdenticaIIy Same Steps as
 Those of U. S.
By Associated Press


 Washington, May H.--'It would be alto- gether too remarkable coincidence that the ship owners of Europe and ship own CTS of America should demand of the sea- men substantially the same things at the same time' Andrew Furuseth, presi- dent of the Seamen's union, said in q letter today to Winthrop L. Marvin of the American Ship owners association. The letter was in reply to published statements of Marvin that charges made by Furuseth were libel against re- sponsible department of the govern ment"
 The Furuseth charges were contained in a pamphlet entitled, "A Statement of Facts, e which, with verbal statement made at the time it was issued, alleged that reductions announced by the ship ping board and American ship owners were a part of an international agree ment among ship operators.
 In his letter today, Furuseth eharac- terized the American Protective and h. demnity association as a younger brother of the International Shipping Federation, Limited, of London, whose charter, he said, specifically authorizes and insists upon cooperation with every skip owner organization throughout the world"
 SAME ATTACKS PREVAIL
 The attacks upon the seamen's acts by European ship owners are general definite and substantially the same as the attacks and actions of your organiza- tion, the letter said
 The Norwegian ship owners, the letter said gave their men two months notice provided so that all agreements would end by April l. The English ship own CTS proposed a reduction of from 25 to % per cent in the wages of their men, announcing competition as the reason.
 When it was found that no arrange ment was arrived at in America" the letter continued, the question between the English ship owners and the seamen was laid over until April 22. In Norway it was laid over until May 15. The Nor wegian ship owners proposed 9 per cent reduction this spring and another 9 per cent reduction in the fall. The American ship owners proposed clause that would permit them to abrogate the agreement upon giving 30 days notice, and when an endeavor was made to have them agree for a years time they in- formed the parties that they expected tO put in force another reduction in the fall.
 TOO REMARKABLE You, sir, have conducted these nego- tiations, and therefore you are we'll aware of the facts. It would be alto gether too remarkable @ coincidence that the ship owners of America should de- mand from the seamen substantially the 2 same things, and do it at the same time unless there was some arrangement such as is provided for in the incorporation papers of the International Shipping Fed eration, Limited.
 If the native American can be driven from the sea there can be no doubt that America will ultimately have to sell her ships to those who know how to manage them and how to operate them, and the ships will have to be sold for such prices as buyers are willing to pay. This lockout claimed to be over paltry $11 % in a thousand of the expenditures in operat- ing ships, must, if you be victorious, re- suit in driving from the sea again nearly all of the 51 per cent of native Americans who now constitute the total operating force of seamen not including officers of our merchant marine.
 This is substantially what is found in the pamphlet. I repeating it to you and shall be glad of the opportunity in which any prosecution for criminal libel would be given me-"
 Furuseth sent out today open letter. In which he declares the Pacific is as tight as well-corked bottle. Nothing moving and no disturbances of any kind
 Vessels have gone to sea with men so inexperienced that the most of them come back or go into some port in dis tress, compelled to go to the repair shop" the letter continued.
 'It is very likely. though not certain, that there will be senatorial inquiry into the causes of this lockout, and when the inquiry begins the facts will come to light.
 DO nothing forbidden by law. and as to injunctions that prohibit you from picketing or doing things that the law does not forbid, would disregard them; you must choose for yourself. At present it looks like victory for you"