New-York tribune., 1921-11-04
La Toilette Act
Revision Urged
By Ship Owners
Edmonds Bill Gets Approval
of Special Committee;
New Suggestions for Dis
ciplinc on Board Vessels
Would Increase Penalties
Revival of Findings of the
Franklin Committee on
Navigation Laws Urged

Enactment OF most Of the features
ct the bill amending the La Toilette
seamen's act, and also additional re-
visions, are recommended by the spe-
cisl committee of the American Steam
ship Owners Association in a report
sent to Representative Edmonds au-
thor of the bill and member of the
House Merchant Marine Committee.
The shipowners recommend revival of
the report of the navigation laws re-
vision committee of the United States
Shipping Board, of which P. A. s.
Franklin. president of the Interna-
tional Mercantile Marine Company, is
chairman. The shipping men urge
legislation covering the findings of
this committee.
The associations committee, of which
J. D. Tomlinson is chairman, made the
following comments on the Edmonds
bill:
Section This is to permit, on oil
burning steamers, dividing the firemen,
oilers and water tenders Into two
watches. The committee believes it
would be unwise to change the law
covering watches in the engine room.
Change in Payment
Section 2-Provides that the de-
mand of seaman, after the voyage
has commenced, for one-half of his
wages shall be paid on the amount "to
his credit" at every port, instead of
ION the balshce of his wages earned
and remaining unpaid" at every port
The committee is of the opinion that
this change in the law is for the ben
eft of the ship, but recommends that
the amount to be demanded be reduced
to one-quarter part of the wages, the
master to have discretion to increase
1t to one-half if he sees fit.
Section 3-Provides: "Upon a COM
plalnt in writing, signed by the first
and second officers or majority of
the crew of any vessel (including at
foreign port" that a vessel is unsea-
worthy, the consul or commercial
agent shall appoint a survey. The
change in this section is "including at
least two of the officers" which the
committee believes is for the adyan-
tage of the ship.
Section 4-Provides changing the
penalty in the case of forfeiture of
wages from two days to five days pay,
ThiIl tIc COulilltktS Ic6lS Is STSdLlX
to the benefit of the ship and should
be approved. 1t also increases the
period of imprisonment for continued
willful disobedience to lawful COM
mand, or continued willful neglect Of
duties at sea, to six months instead
of three months. This is believed
greatly to the advantage of the ship
and should be approved.
Court Given No Choice
The committee also suggests chang
Ing the wording which provides a
penalty for assault of any master or
mate by substituting licensed officer"
section provides for Imprisonment for
willfully damaging vessel or en-
bezzling or willfully damaging any of
the stores or cargo at the discretion
of the court. The amendment omits
words sat the discretion of the
court which should be approved, the
committee says.
The committee also approves of the
following clause: "Whenever any sea-
man has been charged with any of
fenses under this section, the offense
having been properly recorded by the
officers of the ship as required by
law, the payment of any wages as pro
vided in section 4529 or Section 1880
of the Revised Statutes shall not be
compulsory upon the officers of the
vessel until proper hearing and con-
firmation of their action have been had
before shipping commission or con-
sular officer, as provided by law:
Provided, however. That it it shall be
mandatory upon the officers of the
vessel to see that proper report and
hearing shall be held at the next port
of entry of the vessel after the offense
has been committed that has Lawful
representative to hear the samen