Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== ANNUAL REPORT of the LAKE CARRIERS' ASSOCIATION 1913 ============== Page 20 RELATIONS WITH LABOR Notwithstanding the heavy demands upon our as- sembly rooms during the past season because of the fact that every vessel in the membership of the Association has been in operation, the supply of men has been equal to all requirements, and even when there was a short- age of men in other industries, we have had this year a full supply. Early in the season there was some delay in the furnishing of experienced wheelsmen on account of the more widely extended practice of "splitting" the watch between the wheel and the lookout. The general effect of this system, however, was to create, first, a larger demand for efficient wheelsmen, and later to pro- vide a source of supply that soon relieved the shortage in this class of service. HARVEY D. GOULDER, General Counsel -------------------------------------------------------- Page 21 At a meeting of the Board of Directors on April 2, 1913, action was taken to continue the wage scale of 1912, and also to establish three watches of firemen upon all vessels of the Association not already operating un- der that system, and a committee was appointed to work out the details of the plan. At a later meeting the report of the committee was ratified and the wages of oilers were voluntarily in- creased from $52.50 to $55 per month. Action was also taken requiring that on all vessels of over 4,500 tons, gross government register, a boat- swain be employed at a wage of $5 per month more than the wheelsmen. This action was taken with a view to relieving the mates while loading and unload- ing and to promote the upkeep of the vessels without placing an undue burden upon any of the crew. Little complaint has been heard the past season, either from officers or men, in the relations of each with the other, and such complaints as there were, were for the most part trifling and easy of adjustment. Deser- tions of the vessels before completion of the trips for which articles were signed were fewer in number and were confined almost entirely to the firemen and deck- hands, and a larg proportion of these were due to acci- dental delays encountered by men ashore or misjudg- ment as to the time of departure of vessels. Some de- sertions also were due to intoxication, but very few on account of any justifiable complaint as to overwork or unfair treatment. ===========================================================================