Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-11
NavyUnIikely
ToAbsorb
Cargo Fleet
Government May Run
Ships. However
By HUGH 8. JOHNSON


IN THIS town of rumors one
Il of the latest and most dis
cussed Is the proposal Of the
navy TO take over the merchant
marine. I doubt IL this scheme
would work.
In the first place, the navy
has chartered several merchant
marine vessels, and, 10 date. has
not yet seen fit to man them
with navy personnel - presuYn-
ably because Of lack Of man.
power.
Second. the navy has enough
TO do to take care OF our mill
tary and convoy needs all over
the globe.
Third. navy training has not
been along the lines OF securing
the greatest utilization Of man
power from a small body OF men.
The reasons which have i'm
PEELED this latest development
have been the numerous in
stances Of lack OF discipline in
the merchant marine. Stories
have come TO me OF ships miss
ing conveys because of drunken
ness among members of the
crew. thus leaving the vessel
short -handed and unable TO sail.
IL is no isolated occasion when
an unlicensed man actually
strikes or threatens to strike his
superior officer on board ship.
and instances where men are
unable to stand watch because
OF drunkenness or other intem-
perate acts are altogether too
numerous.
THE various state directors OF
Il the selective service system
have been advised that because
OF the danger OF their calling
and the necessity for ship opera
ton. personnel in the merchant
marine may well be considered
as serving ~ the armed forces.
Under these conditions mer-
chant seamen should be subject
TO stringent discipline. Ship
Jumpers. ship misserS and
drunkards should BE- removed
from the merchant marine and
Immediately reclassified BY their
Selective service boards for in
slant service with the armed
forces.
This writer feels that the
great majority OF our seamen
are patriotic. energetic Amcri-
cans who desire 10 do their ut
most in these times of emer-
gency. but they are hampered
by this lousy. undisciplined
fringe-which amounts 10 a
small percentage-who are un-
doing all the good that has been
accomplished by the loyal per-
sonnet going TO sea.
The unions and the leaders
Of the various seafaring unions
are not without blame In too
many instances they have failed
10 submit their members 10 dis
cipline by officers for these acts.
and, in addition. have refused to
permit disciplinary measures by
others. including the govern
ment.
Licensed officers have been
voted off ships by unlicensed
members OF the crew. and the
ship owners have been too reluc-
tant or too concerned for dollar
profits properly TO back up their
licensed officers in their efforts
TO restore and maintain dis
cipline.
DIOUS platitudes and lip scrv-
Il ice OF union leaders in these
matters must give way 10 q
dominant. aggressive and posi-
tive stand.
They must see TO IL that such
members OF their unions land
the industry is almost 100 per
cent organized, are properly
subject 10 discipline and. If neces-
sary. are removed. not only from
the ship union which these acts
take place. but from all ships.
so that their presence on board
will not invite disaster.
A missed convoy. delay In
sailing. may well be the differ
ence between victory and defeat.
The maritime commission
formerly operated fleets of yes
sells on which discipline was
maintained. Perhaps the answer
TO all of this in government
operation. as in World War I.
through the medium Of the war
shipping administration of which
the hard-hitting Emory Land Is
administrator.
Reports coming to me indicate
that a majority Of the licensed
officers and a substantial num-
Der Of unlicensed personnel
eagerly desire a return TO such
government operation.
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