Evening star., 1921-05-03
ASKS EX-NAW MEN
to HELP RUN SHIPS
Chairman Benson Plans for
Emergencies as Officials
Seek to End Strike.

BALTIMORE. Md, May 3.-Thc
local marine strike situation as
su7ncd a seriouS aspect here this
afternoon; twenty members OF the
crew of one steamship being fore
ibiy removed by an armed party
and n fight was reported In prog
rcxs on another vessel. Minor
disorders also were reported by
the police.
Administration officials today were
hopeful that the nation-wlde strike
of marine workers, as result OF re-
fuSal of the marine unions to accept Il
II per cent cut in wages. would De
averted and that peace might come
within a few days. The marine strike
said to be up for discussion at
the cabinet meeting today, and Secre-
tarics Davis and Hoover were expected
to report the progress of their neSo-
tiations with the union leaders and
the steamship owners.
Chairman Benson of the Shipping
Board stood firm today in his decision
not to recede from his stand that a
cut in wages of Is per cent was nee
essary and called on naval reservists
and discharged Navy Seamen to keep
American transatlantic mail ships IN
operation during the wage dispute.
Mr. Davis Holds Conference.
Secretary Davis of the Labor De-
partment continued his separate con-
ference with labor leaders. after hav-
ing conferred yesterday with Char
man Benson. At the Labor Depart
ment today greater optimism char
acterized the attitude of officials. Con-
fsrenceS were arranged during the
day for Secretary Davis with W. 5.
Brown. representing the shipowners:
Andrew Furuseth. president of the
Int Snny
delegation from the Marine Engineers
Beneficial Association. The Labor
Secretary was to talk with these
groups separately after the cabinet
meeting and the hope was expressed
that way to settlement might be
found.
Chairman Benson announced today
that he had asked the commandant of
the navy yard at Norfolk to lend what
ever assistance he could to move the
United States mail. He said the request
was made especially with reference to
the Old North State, due to leave New
York today for London, but that it was
not tn" plan to man the government mail
ships with naval seamen. He also SAID
that there was no intention to use mill
tary forces in the controversy nor was
it the plan to ask the Secretary OF the
Navy for assistance.
There are, the chairman said. num-
bcr of naval reserve men and discharged
Navy seamen who could be used IN
manning the government merchant
craft and the cooperation OF the New
York navy yard commandant was
sought in this connection.
Rear Admiral Benson's request to
the navy yard commandant was
taken by board officials to indicate
an intention to use the United States
naval reserve to man the government
merchant ships in the event of con-
Ix-y nc nrly arC
accept the boards IS per Gent wage
cut. These officials said the naval re-
serve force was created for use in an
emergency. which, they declared.
would exist If the government mer-
chant feet was tied up.
The merchant marine act, they
stated. requires the shipping board
to establish and maintain government
merchant ships on trade routes to all
parts of the world. Should the ma
rine workers refuse to keep the ves-
sells moving. it was argued. the gov
eminent would clearly have the right
to replace the marine workers with
Seamen from the naval reserves.
Reports to the shipping board. Of
fcials said, indicated that as far as
ship movement was concerned the
situation was generally satisfa actory.
Pickets Cause Difficulty.
In New York however. it was said.
some difficulty was being experienced
as strikers were picketing the boards
recruiting offices. and in Baltimore She
situation seemed rather unsatisfac-
tory. In Boston, Norfolk, Savannah
and Charleston. it was said, reports
indicated there would be no difficulty
in moving vessels Galveston ap-
peared to be tied up. it was said, but
in New Orleans the situation was
good.
On the Pacific coast. reports showed
no difficulties were being encountered
at Seattle. Portland or San Francisco
The ship owners yesterday rejected
Secretary Hooyer's suggestion that
the question of a wage contract be
submitted to a commission of three
men. not government officials. Rep
resentatives of the strikers yesterday
were confident the owners would
come to terms" while Admiral Ben
son. in a statement last night, called
upon all loyal citizens to rally to the
support of their flag" He declared
the boards efforts to keep it's ships
in operation was meeting with "grat-
flying success