The New York herald., 1921-05-09
MARINE STRIKERS
REJECT WAGE CUT
Continued from First Page.

representing the marine engineers there
the PORTS are all tiled up tight"
Ships which sailed yesterday included
the Lenape OF the Clyde Line. for
Charleston and Jacksonville; the Comal
OF the Mallory Line. for Galveston
the Orinoco OF the Oriental Navigation
Company. for Norfolk. and the El Vale
of the Southern Pacific Company. for
Galveston.
No local disorders were reported yes
terday. The union men. however, had
their pickets along the water front and
ket close watch on the ships that
sailed. At union headquarters II was
reported the local situation was grow
ing more favorable to the men.
Little difficulty Is expected In getting
the owners to agree 10 some compromise
Although they already have made wide
concessions in their proposals. they
would like TO have their old men back.
The fact that the marine engineers at
the Cooner Union meeting IA led to dis
approve the PROPOSALS OF no discrimina-
tlon against non-union men. a basic
eight hour day with one hour overtlm"
guaranteed. the reinstatement OF men
and the 1920 classification of ships are
taken to Indicate a conciliatory atti-
tude.
Admiral William S. Benson. chairman
" the United States Shipping Board,
issued statement yesterday saying that
a review OF the developments of the con-
troversy should convince all unbiased
men that the course pursued by the
Shipping Board is a sound one and a
fair one, and that the existing economic
conditions fully justify the readjustment
of wage scales and working conditions
on the basis announced by the board"
1T would be indeed unfortunate" he
said. "if the personnel of the merchant
marine persist in refusing to do their
part in the labor liquidation of the ma
rine industry while benefited by the
labor liquidation In other industrial
fields
THE fact that the Shipping Board Is
enabled 70 keep Its boats In operation
indicates that the personnel on its ships
agree with the position which the board
las taken. This is the time for all good
citizens to rally to the support of their
flag. Full protection. both now and
after the controversy Is settled. will b.
given by the Shipping Board to all
those who come to its assistance in keep
ne the ships in operation.
mo business. either on land or sea.
can run at loss for an indefinite period
You know that we are trying to build
:.
American commerce into all parts of the
World in competition with vessels of all
other nations. The protection of Ameri-
can laws gives the seamen on American
vessels better living conditions. more
pay. more safety at sea and more Sc
curlty for their dependents on land thar
the laws OF any other nation. 1t Is be-
cause the Shipping Board wants to do
full justice TO all the citizens of the
United States as well as to its personnel
on board ship that we are trying to es-
tablish its business on practical lines.
Il am anxious that no man will allow
himself through Ignorance of the facts
to be misled as TO the real issues in
volved In the present difficulty. The
movement of ocean freight has declined
to tremendous extent and this has
resulted In the tying up OF many ships
and the unemployment OF many men.
Competition has became extremely keen.
A general liquidation is taking place In
all directions
THE Shipping Board win continue to
use all the resources at its command In
protecting the interests OF the merchant
la-ne OF the people of the United
States. As trustee Of the money of the
people 1t cannot compromise a vital prin-
ciple. make an earnest appeal to all
Df you who have the interests of our
merchant marine at heart to come with
me and the Shipping Board In making
the readjustments effective in line with
those OF other American Industries"