U.S. SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 80, 16 March 1936, Page 9

U.S. SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

Mutiny or Strike Controversy

WASHINGTON, March 14. A sharp clash of opinion over the bundling of the recent Pacific coast .-.hipping strike has developed within the Roosevelt Cabinet. From March 2

until March 5 striking members of the crow delayed the sailing of the steamship California, of the Panama Pacific Line, from San Pedro for New York. The Secretary of Labour, Miss Frances I'crkins, personally intervened and, after an hour of telephonic negotiations from Washington, a basis of arbitration was readied and tlio vessel sailed.

It was revealed to-day, however, that the Secretary of Commerce, Mr D. C. Roper, whose department controls shipping, insisted that the crew were guilty of mutiny and has turned the case over to the Department of Justice for prosecution. Miss Perkins still insists that the incident was merely a strike and, therefore, perfectly legal. Mr Roper buses the mutiny charge on the contention that the action of the crow jeopardised the safety of the passengers, even though the boat was decked and not on the liiglj. seas. As far as can be recalled, there is no precedent for a mutiny charge involving such circumstances and labour leaders feel that conviction 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 that her department would do all possible to prevent the arrest of the sailors.