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- Labor ‘Chaos’ On U.S. Ships Retiring Maritime Board Head, in First and Last Report, Tells Why Op- erators Delay Building Blantes Sit-downs And Slipshod Work Says No ‘Lasting Cure’ Is Possible Till Strife Be- tween Unions ts Ended From (he herald Tribuse Bureaw , WASHINGTON, Jan. 23. — The construction of new ships for the American merchant marine is held in check by “ehastic Jaber condi- ions, kignalizéd by demands of trevs, ‘sit-down’ and ‘quickie’ strikes, and slipshed performance of duties,” ftcording to Joseph I. \Kennedy, chairman of the Unite States Moatitic’ Commission. in his first And inst repork to Congress, released here today. Ambassaca1 to the JAIDCE'S, Making what ts belle’ ed to be his firs’ utterance against the fight of the Ameiicen Federation of Labor and the Committee for Industrial Orastization in the maritime field, Mr. Kennedy, in his report. says that “no lasting cure will be effected until the jurisdictional strife now Provalent in maritime labor is termi- nated and a more ce-nperative ar- tancement Ir renched by the unions Bod the ship operators.” The report cC@sers the period frem October 26, 1836. when Lhe agency's duties starte, UF TY: the merchant marine act We te Melebe ron pagt Court of St. SRA Pa or oe Mr. Krnredy, who isi exporicd to fssue his last statement, as head of the commission this: week, sails on Februa:y 9 to become; fe 1. 1 ou eid, Corgary to the problep.ot, rez placing vessels comprising thr American merchant matine is the problem of providing them with sat- isfactory seagoing personnel,” Mr. Eennedy said. “Despite the urgent need for new construction, private operators hesitate in the face of the present labor situation. The lack of order And aiscipline on board ship was sharply focused by the Algic incident, in which the Fefusal of seamen on board a gov- ernment-owned vessel to perform . their lawful duties compelled the commission to take prompt and de- cisive action.” The situation stitl exists, the report states, “although the commission has recommended remedial Icgisiation.” Legistation recommended by the commission to alleviate the labor sit- uation includes the creation of a mediation board which would be similar to that provided under the railway labor acl, and abolishment of the “arcHfiic system” of signing members for each voyage and the substitution of a system of con- tinuous employment of seamen. Both proposals have been opposed by maritime unions. Seeing the replacement of a “rap- idly aging’ merchant fleet as one of the commission's mafor tasks, the report covers virtually all phases of the problems confronting the coun- try's trade fleet and, it is expected, will serve as a working plan for the Senate and House committees now discussing new legislation. Commenting on a replacement program for the country's trade fleet, the report points out that al- though the initial step in its co; st@uction program was taken in | titg a contract for a 33,000-ton li tofreplace the Leviathan, the ‘gl inf deficiency in the merchant ee | Clinping fron dina it fhe lack “oF moaer “ent ships. o keel ror a cargo“ftrc 4 has been laid in this countty sini early in 1920, the report state pointing out that the first step | remedy this situation was taken wit the design of an economical ste. cargo vessel with # speed of 15: knots. The design, known as C-: was prepared in collaboration wt the Navy Department, Bureau c Marine Inspection and Navigation American Bureau of Shipping an several well known naval architect and submitted to shipbuilders fe suggestions as to its adaptability fc use in various trades. The immediate construction ¢ twelve vessels of the C-2 design i contemplated, the report state: adding that it is the commlesion intention that “all vessels bii; under the merchant marine act rc 1936 shall embody tic highics standards of construction with rr. spect to safety and fireproofing an: shall represent am considerable ad- vance above the atandards adortec by the International Convention fo: Safety of Life at Sea.” Other feat- Yres include installation of the test improvements In machiner{ d its location, adequated moder uarters for officers and crew, a iyell as the national defense freq (Ores required by the act. ee ep, ee a HEY YOR! NESALD-TRLEUND AQT Auth tia DATE rs, f pitt Of 7EEC- CV 2X 3B FORUARDED BY NFKT YORE DIVISIO!