The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-11-01
SHIP OWNERS
UNDER FIRE OF
U. S. PROBERS
Low Wages, Short Crews,
Long Hours, Charged
After Inquiry.

Copyright. iqsf BY scripps-HoEarc
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WASHINGTON. Nov. IA severe
indictment Of most American ship
owners on charges Of low wages for
sesmen. short crews. long hours and
bad working conditions Is contained
IN a survey made secretly by gov
eminent marine experts. now in the
hands Of the national labor rela-
tons board for its guidance in han
ding seamen's labor problems.
Material for the report. which ex-
empts very few from its condemna-
tson. was gathered by informed gov
eminent agents who went aboard
vessels in New York haTbOr. person.
ally investigated conditions and
talked with crew members from cap
tain's quarters 70 the galley.
Their report charges ship owners.
in effect. with bad faith on the
ground that in receiving mail sub
sides which amount 10 millions an
nually they contracted 10 maintain
American standards. This has not
been done. according 10 the inves-
tigators. Some companies have low
cred wages still further since they
received their mail contracts.
The governments secret inquiry
was an outgrovth Of the Moro Cas-
tie disaster.
Report Proves Disturbing
Their report was revealing and
disturbing. II opened eyes here.
This explains why the government
OF late has shown more interest in
the Americans who go TO sea for
their living. II explains why Lloyd
Garrison. as chairman Of the ma
ticnal labor relations board. sided
with the seamen and. in secret ses-
sions with ship owners in New York,
told them bluntly they would have
10 improve conditions of workers.
Mr.. Garrison averted a strike when
the ship owners came to terms and
began 70 negotiate with the Inter
national Seamen's Union, a process
that still is under way.
In union organization, informed
marine officials here see the most
active, practical solution. This they
would buttress with additional legis-
lation specifying standards for
wages. hours and working condi-
tons.
There is no standard wage for
American ships now other than that
which the union. in isolated cases,
has been able to enforce through
collective bargaining.
Ships Found Undermined
When the shipping board was OPP
Grating ships 1t had a standard. 1t
now has only five lanes, operated
by private companies under contract.
It's wage was s62.5O a month for
able-bOdied Seamen, with gradual
tiOns downward for ordinary sea-
men and other workers. Only one
company now maintains this scale,
the Eastern Steamship Company
which has a union contract and
which reports that union organiza-
ton has been helpful.
Government agents in their inves-
tigation found that SIS for able
bodied seamen was the highest wage
paid in the companies investigated,
with $40 for ordinary seamen. Some
companies paid only $50. while 9TH
ers paid as low as S35, with SIS for
ordinary seamen.
Generally. the ships were found
to be from 10 to Is per cent under
manned. judged by former shipping
board standards. Requirements of
the commerce departments steam
boat inspection service reach only
10 officers and able-bOdied seamen.
Other classes Of ship workers, car
perters for instance. are listed often
among able-bodied seamen.
Long Hours Necessary
Long hours necessarily follow the
shortage of workers. One ships Of
ficer, asked how he kept the ship
locking so well. replied: BY working