The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-27
American Seamen Refuse Ad-
miraI Benson's Proposal.
Union Leaders Will Not Con-
slider Terms to Avoid Strike.
DECLARED FOR OPEN SHOP
Chairman of Shipping Board
Wants LaFOllette Law.
Cannot Maintain War Standard
of Pay Now.

Washington, April PA sharp diff
ference in opinion as TO wage reduc-
tions between Chairman Benson of the
marine workers developed at the
opening today of conferences called
by the chairman in an effort to avert
threatened strike on American
steamers on May /.
Andrew Furusuth, president of the
International Seamens Union, and
other spokesmen for the workers as
serted that a Is per cent wage reduc-
ton declared by Rear Admiral Ben
son to be necessary was unacceptable
to the unions.
A wage cut of not less than 5 per
cent and elimination of overtime was
proposed by Admiral Benson today to
seamen and ship owners who met here
to adjust differences which threaten
tieup of shipping on May /.
Wants Open Shop.
At the same time, Benson declared
for the open shop on American vessels
continuation of the sea service bureau
which the men want eliminated, and
for the strict observance of the La
Follette seaman's act, which the ship.
ping owners are urging should be
given liberal Interpretation.
Benson explained that wages of sea.
men had been raised during the wal
| to meet high prices.
| The new economic conditions anC
| the changes in living costs call for re
1 ductions in wages at least as great a
| the recent drop in the cost of living
which reflects the return of the dol
| lar toward its normal value" Bensol
said.
Benson then recalled that last Feb
ruary the shipping board and owner
had invited the seamen to make vol
| untary wage concessions. The me
made no concessions, he said.
| Speaking of demands for preferenc
for union sailors on American vessel:
Benson said:
THE shipping board as a govern
ment institution must stand for tina
equality in its relations to the govern
ment which is guaranteed to ever
citizen by the constitution of til
United States
Must ENFORCE Law.
Speaking of the demands of the me
y for the enforcement of sections of tn
kseamen's act, providing that crews o
American vessels must be able to vi
| derstand English and that proper Iii
saving equipment be provided, Benso
i said
! Is my OplHloH that any dtt 7
congress until definitely repealed {
modified so long as it stands upon til
; statute books should be enforced b
I the department charged with such er
J forcement.
Benson made plain that he was M
, basing recommendations for wae
cuts on the present slump in the shiI
l ping trade, but on changed econom
= conditions.
S Following the statement by Benso
Andrew F'uruseth. head of the Sc;
mems union. and E. B. Griffin. head
2 the Stewards and Cooks union. spok
3 Griffin threatened the ship owners.
= wages are reduced.
= 'If my wages are reduced Is pi
3 cent, 1 will make it my business to 81
| that the owners lose that ! 5 per cel
and more" said Griffin. adding that
other members of his union did n
| know how to bring this about.
| would instruct them.
:. Furuseth declared that the redu
| ton, instead of 5 per cent would a
g gregate 40 per cent because of Il
1 abolition of overtime.