The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-09-24
CONTINUED from page ~ 4

thing possible to keep its liners
from being forced to cancel
sailings.
From Melbourne, Adelaide. Bris-
bane, Sydney and Capetown reports
show that authorities are making
mass arrests of strikers. But this
doesn't seem to get any boats under
way and seamen who can live in a
forecastle of British steamers can
get along nicely in jail.
The strike committee of the British
seamen have issued the following cir
cular to British labor unionists, stat
ing their position in the so-called out
law" strike. 1t says:
"The central strike committee,
who have directed the unofficial sea
mems strike nationally since it's com
mencement, sent deputation to Scar
borough for the purpose of obtain
ing an interview with your General
Council and to place before them all
the facts leading to and relating to
the seamen's dispute. Unfortunately
we were not able to obtain an inter-
view as we are regarded as. outside
the realm of the councils jurisdic-
ton. This being so we are reluct-
antly forced to issue this circular
as the strike is far too important
for us to allow congress to adjourn
without hearing our side of the dis
pute.
No Alienation of Union Membership.
1--WE know some good trade union
lists look upon unofficial strikes as
leading towards the creation of new
unions and the alienation of the rank
and file from official decisions. We
declare emphatically we are absolute
ly opposed to both. We were forced
to enter this dispute because of our
sense of responsibility to our wives
and families, the trade union move
ment in general and as a protest
against the autocratic and dictatorial
methods of administering our union
affairs
"Mr Havelock Wilson has said the
rank and file were consulted thru the
branches. This is a pure fabrica-
ton to say the least, as not only
were the membership in the branches
not given a chance to register them
selves for or against the reduction,
but the executive council was not Civ
en- an opportunity to vote previous to
announcement in the capitalist press
that an agreement had been reached
by the N. S. F. U. and the ship
owners. Later when the E. c. did
meet and ratify the decision, those
members who did protest were jeer-
ed at and scornfully laughed out of
council.
Can the Shipowners Pay?
"Mr. Wilson says shipowners can
not pay. Let us see. Here are a few
samples. During the first rs months
of the war the combined shipowners
of Britain made e246, 900 900 profit.
From 1920 TO 1924 inclusive the Cum
ard company declared $40 per cent
dividends. But they paid bonus
shares of 100 per cent in 1918, which
makes an average total of 1880 per
cent on the real capital invested.
They have reserves of 91,250,0OO.
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.
have made total e4,165,3S4 over the
same period.
The White Star Line 20. S. N. Coz
made from 1920 to 1924 inclusive
e5,656,41O. They paid in 1916 400
per cent bonus shares and 33 1-3 per
cent in 1920, which enabled them to
pay an average dividend over the
same period of more than so per cent
on the company's actual capital. The
P. and o. line announced $1,000, 900
profit last year and the latest issue
is 9750,000 to Furness Witty share
holders These profits are net pro-
fits and over period of alleged de-
preston.
Present Wages Mean Poverty.
IF we accept a pound and &C re-
duction ON monthly and weekly rates
respectively, wages of sailors will be
Cd. per hour (and less for a 31-day
month"; and firemen GA a day for
7-day week. Sailors are working "a
hours a week and altho the firemen
are supposed to work only hours
day, in the event of sickness, which
often happens in the tropics, they
are called upon to do "ducers"-two
extra hours on each watch for no
extra remuneration. Overtime is a
thing Of the past in British ships,
"time-off" in lieu of overtime pay is
given, thai is: when you get II.
Stewards are even worse off as they
work, many of them, over Is hours
day for wage of eS. 5. o. a month.
"Only those actually going to sea
seem to know the state of affairs re-
garding our families. A seaman sign
ing articles for a voyage lasting 3
months or over, receives an advance
note equal to one-half months pay;
and his wife or dependents also re-
ceive an equal amount (G4. 10. 0.
for sailor) for each consecutive
month until he returns. Therefore,
she must exist by applying to the
relieving officer or find herself at the
door of the pawnbrokers. The adj