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162 quired by the fleet, due in large mea- sure to the insufficient preparation made by government officials during . the interval between the law’s enact- ment and the time it became effec- tive. This belated preparation was shown by the tardy rulings on many of the provisions and by the failure of the officials to furnish sufficient help to certificate the men in a short time. A number of sailors applied for certificates during December but in January, February and early March few applications were received. Dur- ing the last few weeks, the number examined has increased. Any consid- erable rush of applicants in the next few days, however, is certain again to find the governmental facilities for quick examinations woefully inade- quate to meet the situation. Edwin F. Sweet, assistant secretary of the department of commerce, has just concluded a swing around the lower lakes. The purposes of his visit were threefold. As he explained, Mr. Sweet desired to urge upon the vessel owners the advisability of em- ploying more than’ the required 40 per cent in order that delays through the defection of a few members of the crew, would be avoided; he desired to interview lake. interests and gov- ernment officials in order to deter- mine how the law was ‘working in practice; and he hoped to stir up interest in the approaching opening of navigation and so attract more applicants for examination. Sailors Shy at Examination In talking with a_ representative of The Marine Review, Mr. Sweet outlined the situation on the lakes as he had found it, and also discussed the working of the seamen’s law. “T have found all lake interests evincing a commendable desire to aid in the enforcement of the law,” said Mr. Sweet. “Just now, every effort is being made to get the sailors to apply for certificates and I believe that little delay will be experienced at the opening of the season in get- ting the boats away. All the inspec- tors report a large increase in the number. of applicants during the past few days. “Many sailors have been deterred from appearing for examination through apprehension over the physi- cal examination. This fear is wun- justified, as the low percentage of failures indicates. At Buffalo, of about 700 applicants, only 90 were refused certificates, or about 13 per cent. The department is disposed to inaugurate the enforcement of the law with as little friction as possible and I am inclined to believe that the physical examinations now are more 7 THE MARINE REVIEW lenient than they will be next year. The percentage of rejection 1S in- creased also by the number of those who apply a second, third and even fourth time. In case a man 1s fe- jected three times, it figures in the records as three rejections, thereby increasing the percentage of those refused. We have endeavored to make the tests. consistent with the duties the men must perform and I am convinced the government inspectors generally have rejected only those whose physical condition incapacitated them for duty at sea. Claims Act Benefits Sailcrs “The examinations, also, have proved a direct benefit to many men. In one case that was brought to my at- tention, a man was rejected owing to the deplorable condition of his teeth, a condition that could not fail to have injurious effects on his health. At the inspector’s suggestion, he fitted himself with a complete set of false teeth and not only passed the second time, but the change will prove of material benefit to him. Many ap- plicants suffering from minor com- plaints have received medical treat- ment during the winter and received certificates when they applied again this spring. “Some complaints have been made concerning certain tests, but in gen- eral, I believe the tests have been fair. The nature of the color blind- ness tests has occasioned some un-- favorable comment and the department will consider the advantages of in- stalling a system of test lights similar to that employed by the railroads. “Another cause of delay in the num- ber of applications received, is the re- quirements that only 40 per cent of the deck crew must carry certificates. Some sailors have shown a disposition to let the other fellow do it. Re- ports spread by rejected applicants also have tended to discourage some who would otherwise appear. “Some delays developed at coast ports when the law became operative but. the difficulty has been adjusted. I believe the lake situation will adjust itself quickly and satisfactorily.” As shown in one of the accompany- ing boxes, the required percentage of “certificated” men increases from 40 per cent the first year to a maxi- mdm of 65 per cent, The actual number of certificate-carrying men re- quired on many of the boats will not be known until after the vessels are inspected and are ready to go into commission. This doubt arises from another provision of the law which restricts deck hands from working in the fireroom or coal passers working on deck. Until the government in- “sel. spectors determine the numbe passers required, the number hands needed cannot be de On the largest bulk freig the lakes, the maximum cer is 32, This includes porte waiters, the average crew for boats being about 30, Last yea the big freighters carried gs hands, the crew numbered would necessitate an average least four “certificated” men to If the number of dec is reduced, the number may t ered to three. The numbe of course, with other boats, ing upon their size and the ¢ service in which they are é Some of the passenger boats forced to carry from 20 to 2 tificated” men, while some smaller freighters will requi one or two. Charters Steame1 The Superior Steamship Co. was recently incorporated with a ital of $50,000, has charterec steamer ALADDIN, about 5,000 gross, for a 12-months period, an place her in the service between York and Archangel about the of May. Negotiations are prac completed for the charter of a vessel, which will be sent to Li pool. The company expects to gage in the general transporta business,-but so far has not bee to obtain the vessels it wants, with th ception of ALAppIN and two small sch ers, secured on single trip charters. A contract has been concluded tween the Nanyo Boeki Kaisha (Sot Sea Commercial €o.) and the Japa government for the operation of of steamers between Japan and islands of the Caroline group. contract provides for an annual su sidy to the South Sea Commer Co. of 42,000 yen or $21,000.. A me ly service will be maintained on main line between Yokohama Turks island, from which two sidiary lines will be operated, one the islands on the east, includi Jaluit, Kusaie and Ponapi, and the ot er to those on the west, includi Yap, Pelew and Angour. W. R. Grace &.Co. have definite decided to enter the Oriental sef ice out of Pacific coast ports, accor ing to news advices from San Fra cisco. The liner PENNSYLVANIA, merly owned by the Pacific Mail © has been obtained by the Grace int ests and will be operated from $ China a Francisco and ports in Japan.