STRIKE OR MUTINY?

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 11

STRIKE OR MUTINY?

ACTION OF SAILORS QUESTIONED (Received March 15, 7.30 p.m.) ■ ■ WASHINGTON, March 14. A sharp clash of opinion over the handling of the recent Pacific Coast shipping strike has developed within- President Roosevelt’s Cabinet. From March 2 until March 5 striking members of the crew delayed the sailing of the steamship California, of the Panama Pacific line, from San Pedro for New- York. The Secretary for Labour (Miss Frances Perkins) personally intervened, and after an hoiir/s telephonic negotiations from Washing- - * ton, a basis of arbitration "was reached, and the vessel sailed. It was revealed to-day, however,, that the Secretary for Commerce (Mr D.- C. Roper), whose department. controls shipping; insisted that the crew was guilty of mutiny, and has turned the ease over to the Department of Justice for prosecutions, r Miss Perkins still insists that the incident was merely a strike, and was therefore perfectly legal... Mr Roper bases the mutiny charge on the contention that the action of ‘ the crew, jeopardised the safety ,of the passengers, even though the ship "Was docked and was not on - the high seas. As far as can be recalled, there is no precedent for ' a mutiny charge involving such circumstances, and ’ Labour leaders feel that the convict|on of the sailors could be used as a powerful weapon by shipping interests in the event of similar strikes in the future. , Miss Perkins indicated 1 that • her department would do all'possible to prevent the arrest-of the sailors.