Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-21
IF THE SAILORS STRIKE.

AZ 1 07AASNo NA0E
There is the possibility that ten davs hence
union sailors on the Great Lakes will strike unless
by that time their employers have agreed to the
terms demanded by the union. which include cutting
the working day on lake boats from twelve hours to
eight.
The conditions of labor on shipboard are outside
the held Of the ordinary landsman. In the ordinary
industries on land there has been decided progress
IN recent years away from the long working dav.
Whereas the twelve hour day was once common. it
exists now in none but a few industries where. for
reasons peculiar to the industry, it has been re-
tanned as something, if not unavoidable. at least
very difficult to change. Certain occupations in
the steel industry, for instance, are still continued
under the twelve hour plan. and one obstacle to a
change in these occupations has been the reluctance
of many of the workmen to accept the shorter work
ing day with the diminished pay which would ac-
company it unless the industry should be loaded up
with a very large increased operating expense. In
most other industries ten hours is the maximum,
while the eight hour day has been adopted in quite a
number.
Conditions on shipboard differ materially from
those on land. Crews are not worked continuously.
but in short shifts, or watches, and in this respect
the work of the sailor stands in a class By itself.
Whether or not the duties are such that a total of
twelve hours in twenty-four is too much for the
able-bodied man is something to be determined bv
all intelligent study of the facts surrounding the oc-
cupatlon itself, and not by comparison with any
other industry. II, upon. such investigation, it is
demonstrated that the hours are too long. thev
should be shortened, and when the facts are placed
squarely before the public. the public will support
the demand for the shorter day. and will be pre-
pared to bear its share of whatever cost is entailed
in the change. There need be no doubt that what
ever theNadditional cost is, the public will be called
on to pay it.
While the public will undoubtedly join in a de-
mand for proper working hours on the lakes. when
h cn1c that 1oH%,a- I -
and convincingly, the public is in no mood to sub
NIT to a hold-up. The threat of a strike on October
l, unless the demands of the sailors are conceded is
too accurately timed with the urgent need for a
continuous flow of coal to the head of the lakes to
have the appearance of anything but a hold-up. The
only rational explanation is that the officials Of the
sailors unions, knowing of the emergency which
exists, expect that the people in general rather than
run the risk of having their supply of coal reduced to
famine portions, will bring pressure to bear on the
carriers to grant any demands that may be made in
order to keep their boats running.
We do not pretend to know what NAV be the
proper procedure to prevent this coercion. But some
way must be open to public officials who mean bust
hess. One thing is certain, namely, thattte public
will not be greatly benefited if, because Of 4 fake
strike, boats 60 out of commission on October / and
somebody sues for an Injunction about Christmas,
Public authorities who are charged with the duty.
among other things, Of seeing that the transporfa.
ltiop8 on which the life Of the country rests IS not n.
lterrtipted b ayoidablc causes have had at least
three weeks definite notice Of the ir,rninence 81 I
strike which, II made effective, will result III down.
3I.s,,t. sslara,ty g millions of people Every dayss
Eto lose 7 single trip Of i single boat which can as.
tam 4 cargo There must be some course possible
which VIII saye the public both from ne consee..
iquences ~ 4 strike and from co~ercionaunde ffireal
Iots 4 strike And fought St0sbe possible fo put stiIai
Iriethod, wliatsyer i IS into effective oSpttystians bbes
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