Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-15
Maritime
Continued From First Page.)

to accept terms of the agreement
with seagoing personnel worked out
here by VISA and Labor Depart
ment conciliators.
Annual cost of the large wage
concessions granted the seafaring
men could not be estimated, but
Atlantic and Gulf ship operators re-
leased statement saying "the COM
panies have grave misgivings as to
the future of the American mer-
chant marine. -"
The operators said the pay of
seagoing personnel was boosted 80
per cent and that since January,
194l, able seamen have received
wage advances totaling 1877 per cent.
They said the wage bill of American
ships now would be -four times the
average existing on comparable
ships" Of other nations.
The United States Treasury can
doubtless bear this burden on Gov
ernment-owned Ships" the state
ment read, but it remains to be
seen for how long privately owned
ships under the American flag can
survive against competition under
the staggering handicap now i'm
posed upon them"
Curran Is Jubilant.
II would not think the wage set
Element would drive the American
merchant marine from the seas"
commented Capt. Conway. But
without question when freight rates
60 down as they are bound to do
when the peak movement is over
the competition will be very keen
and the situation will not have been
helped"
Joseph Curran. head of the Ma
tional Maritime Union, was jubilant
over the settlement. He told news
men "seafaring men have won the
greatest victory in history, they
have cracked the 56-hour week"
He referred to provision for pay.
ment Of 81 an hour overtime to sea
going personnel after 4s hours g
week or for Sundays at sea. The
hours issue had been the CHIEF
stumbling block to agreement.
We'll keep 'em sailing!" Mr.. Cur.
ran shouted as he left the peace
table last night.
AT a price!" Capt. Conwa,
shouted back.
Federal Cancellation efforts were
led by Government team headed
by Assistant Secretary of Labor
John w. Gibson and Edgar L. War.
rem, head of the Cancellation Serv.
Ice. They worked day and night fol
two weeks to avert the strike.
Other Major Disputes.
Last nights 11th-hour settlement
marked one Of the few times sine,
end Of the war that the Nation ha
weathered a major dispute witlruu
strike. The only other occasion tina
comes to mind that a major disput,
was settled peaceably was last white
in the rubber industry.
First major strike after VI da,
was that of the CLIO Oil Workers
After that followed a soft Goa
stoppage over unionization of fore
men, and strikes of General Motors
New York longshoremen, meat pack
ing, electrical, steel, and finally TIL
industry paralyzing walkouts thi
spring in the coal and railroa,
industries.
The Wage Sterilization Boar,
and Economic Stabilizer Bowie
quickly approved the martini,
agreements as they were signed
WSB Chairman w. willard Writ
announced that the wage increas
for Mr.. Bridges union was approve,
unanimously under regular wage
price policy.
A special provision of the lates
wage policy directive was fount
applicable to the agreements will
the four seagoing unions. Thi
provision reads:
The board or other DESIGNATED
agency shall have authority. witt
the approval of the stabilizatior
administrator, to establish specia
standards for approval of wage o.
salary increases, differing from tn,
foregoing general standards, to b,
applied in particular industries o.
classes of cases If 1t finds that sucl
action is necessary to effectuate tn,
purposes Of this order"
The board stated that II foun,
the maritime case to be q specia
one because OF the abnormally lonI
1 4