The Washington times., 1921-04-27

In other industries. When the Gov
eminent became the largest Ameri-
can owner OF ships il partici-
pated In these wage increases
and II il now nary - the present
working agreements which will ex-
pire on May lst anu august LIST re-
spectively. You will recall that I'm
February last the shipping Heard
with ether ship owners invited rep
feruses to discuss q voluntary revis-
Ion 81 wage scales In order to meet
new economic conditions. The men
made NO sehcessions. an the other
hand the shipping Board has isfsisted
that under these circumstances the
terms 81 the existing agreements be
stxictIy observed. As a result MO
ehs.ges In wages have been made.
anticipating, the expiration of the
present marine agreements ON May !,
the shippinG Board has throughout
the present negotiations sought an or
derby readJustment of wages and
working rules In line with present
cenditiena. 1t believed. and still be.
tieves, that all concerned would meet
in q spirit of simple fairness and sal
ize the absolute necessity OF read
tustments for the common good. The
Shipping Board does not desire arbi.
trary wage reductions based solely or
the present Industrial depression,
which might except the seafarers
from the preserved higher American
standards OF living. In making read.
Justments IL proposes to stress the
same factor which was so largely con
adhered In making fncreases-the re-
tara OF the purchasing vaiRe of the
Asllar toward it's normal value A. re-
Elected In the percentage drsp In the
cest Of living.
"I understand that the recent nego-
tiations have not resulted in the meet
ing of minds that had been hoped for
and that break has actually come
between the steamship interests and
the marine labor organizations 1t is
in the effort to clear the situation
that have thought IL best to ask you
gentlemen to meet me this morning
so that l might put before you my
views as to the reasonable basis OF
read ustment required In the present
situation and state to you the course
OF action which the Shipping Board
finds II necessary to take under the
present circumstances.
I'm order that / may be perfectly
clear, understand that the Marine
F:nxincers' BereActal Association de-
sires e continue the present agree
na~nts both as to wage scales and
working conditions, UnderstanL
that the uniicenseA personneI have
presented these points On which they
ssk favorable assarnnce before they
are willing to discuss waGe scale and
working conditions.
DEMANDS OF UNION MEN.
These six points I understand are
as follows:
The abolition Of the Sea Service
Bureau.
The enforcement OF Section 13 OF
the Seamsn's Act especially the Ian
guase clause.
The enforcement Of Section II OF
the Seamen's Act covering life-saving
equipment, especially on foreign ships.
The enforcement OF Section . OF the
Ssamen's Act covering the division
Of watches.
Preference to be given in employ
ment to union men. which II Is con-
tended would develop efficiency.
The union to examine the men and
not to admit to membership any not
reasonably qualified.
Taking up first the six points
above noted. / would say that the
Shipping Board cannot consent to the
= abolition Of the Sea Service Bureau
for reasons which have been expressed
In recent press statements, nor can
Il consent as a Governmeat fnstitu-
don to points Ave and six involving