Evening star., 1938-02-06
PUERT0R|C0F00D
SHORTAGE LOOMS
u. S. May Be Forced to In.
terVeAe in Maritime
Strike.

Unless Gov. Blanton Winship is
able to "crack" the existing deadlock
in the six-week maritime strike that
has paralyzed Puerto Rican shipping,
ofhcial as we'll as unofiicial Advices,
received here yesterday, warned that
a food shortage that threatens to be-
come acute may force the United
States Government to intervene.
The complete tie-up Of commercial
shipping on the San Juan water front
and the refusal of Committee for In
dustrial Organization workers to ac-
cept reasonable basis" for arbi-
tration, according to a sta1 dispatch
to The Star, has created a situation
potentially disastrous to every United
States interest"
DR.. Ernest H. Gruening, director
OF the Division of Territories and
Island Possessions, under the Interior
Department, Is in daily communica-
ton with Gov. Winship. While the
food situation in San Juan Is not yet
acute. it was indicated the failure OF
an early strike settlement, to permit
ships to load and unload, would re-
suit in famine.
Situation Regarded as Local"
Thus far there has been NO attempt
from Washington to intervene In a
situation which has been regarded as
local" The Labor Department, how
ever, Is ready to offer It's services at
any TINA 1t was said, when those
services are requested.
Meanwhile, numerous messages are
being received by Government oflcials
urging that prssure be brought to bear
on the White House and also on John
l.. Lewis, chairman Of c. /. O., to
force his lieutenants in San Juan to
accept reasonable arbitration.
The outlook for an early settle
ment was said here to be a little more
favorable In view of the fact Gov.
Winship has obtained the services
OF Justice Martin Traveiso OF the
Puerto Rican Supreme Court. He
was reported yesterday as drawing up
new articles OF arbitration" Justice
Travelso was said to be more accept
able as possible "impartiaI' member
OF the arbitration board than any
other who has been suggested.
Industries Tied Up.
All major Puerto Rican industries
such as sugar. needlework, fruit, to-
bacco and coffee. a stafI correspond
ent reported, are either at or ap-
preaching standstill. The shutdown
on all imports and exports during the
six weeks of the strike has resulted in
losses estimated at ss,o0O,o0o to
$4,000, 900.
There Is danger also, it was said.
OF serious local political consequences
unless the strike soon ends.
Thus far there has been a general
absence OF disorders and the strike
has been confined to the waterfront
workers and longshoremen. A week
ago Gov. WinAhip threatened to seize
the wharves and load and unload
ships under governmental supervision
He has refrained from doing -, it was
understood. for fear the ship crews
would 60 on q sympathetic strike.
If assured of backing by the steam
ship lines, 1t was said, he might yet
resort to compulsion unless arbitra-
ton Is accepted and work is resumed
pending a ANAL decision.
The strike grew out Of the tern1ina-
ton OF old wage contracts, under
which workers were being paid 80
cents an hour The strikers asked for
SO cents an hour, with 90 Gems for
overtime. They had turned down A
nat IS per cent increase over the
previous wage. and since then the ship
compa nies had been firm in an offer
OF 40 cents an hour with go cents
for overtime.
The c. I. o. demands AS to arbitra-
ton of the wage scale for steVedores,
it was reported to The Star, stipulate
unanimous decision OF the arbitra-
ton board. Offlcially. it was said the
workers refuse to arbitrate unless the
negotiations for a new wage start at
a basis Of so cents per hour. The shin
companies refuse to arbitrate unless
the old contract is taken as the basis
OF negotiations for new wage scale,
regarded as the ordinary course.
Buys Much From U. S.
Since Puerto Rico buys all its lard,
wheat, hour, rice. butter and major
food products from the United States
the paralysis Of shipping is being felt
throughout the island population
Puerto Rico also depends on the
United States for half of its general
supplies
Ofhcials here view the situation with
apprehension but are hopeful that the
new articles of arbitration" which are
being drawn up may constitute the
break" for which they have been
looking daily II that fails, it was
said, Intervention from Washington
may be necessary.
The American companies in, olved
in the strike are the Puerto Rican
Line, the Bull 1nsular Line, McCor-
mick Steamship Co., Grace Line,
Waterman Steamship Co., American
Hawaiian Steamship Co, the Lykes
Brothers and pipIo,, cto,.L,~