An Unequal Clash An Unequal Clash 127 dissatisfaction of licensed deck officers such as captains, mates, and pilots and came in two parts during 1903 and 1904. Officers' roles faced disruption by the same forces affecting seamen and vessel operators. They had joined the American Association of Masters and Pilots. Like the engineers in 1901, the officers stood apart from the other unions.23 Though a brief work stoppage had taken place in March 1903 the conflict regarding the captain's authority and the hiring and promotion of sailors resulted in a new strike on 1 September.24 By the end of the month the Lake Carriers' and the officers agreed to mediation during the winter.25 However, the off-season brought the Pittsburgh Steamship Company's Harry Coulby, a labour hardliner, to the leadership of the association along with new articles of association. These articles vested additional power to the directors and transformed the Lake Carriers' into a "super" trade association capable of applying policy and the ability to discipline wayward members. By agreeing to these articles, owners accepted a voluntary alliance. Not being an alliance member meant being left to union dictates.26 During the winter of 1904, Coulby argued that captains served as direct agents of owners and should not take any action that would be against their interests or answer to any organization outside of the company.27 The weak economic climate and disaffection of older captains undermined the officers' union. Though a strike began on 1 May 1904, scores of captains, mates, and pilots crossed picket lines and accepted appointments. By 16 June, the strike collapsed and ended officers' efforts to challenge the owners.28 Again, the Lake Seamen's Union and the longshoremen 23 "Masters May Form a Union," CPD, 22 January 1901; "Plans About Completed," CPD, 28 January 1903; "Will Tie up the Lake Fleet," CPD, 25 March 1903. 24 "Lake Carriers Make a Stand," CPD, 28 March 1903; "Sailors' Strike Comes to an End," DNT, 29 March 1903; "They Reached a Deal," CPD, 29 March 1903. 25 "More Trouble is Brewing," MC, 29 May 1903; "Association May Help Out Loftus," DNT, 31 May 1903; "Trouble on the Lakes," SSMEN, 1 June 1903; "More Power for the Masters," CPD, 18 August 1903; "He is Not a Member," CPD, 9 September 1903; "Warfare Waged on Capt. Rae," DNT, 15 September 1903; "Looks Like a Finish Fight," CPD, 16 September 1903; "Steel Corporation Vessels Going to Dock," Marine Review and Marine Record (MRMR) 27:12 (17 September 1903), 22; "Trouble with Mates and Masters," MRMR 28:13 (24 September 1903), 22; "Strikers Gain More Converts," DNT, 18 September 1903; "Will Operate Consorts," CPD, 20 September 1903; "May Make Shift in Their Plans," CPD 23 September 1903; "Lake Strike Is Settled and All Men Will Return to Their Boats," DNT, 26 September 1903; "All Hands On Deck Again," CPD, 26 September 1903; "The Lake Captain - Organized Labor," MRMR 28:14 (1 October 1903), 17-18; "Lake Labor Problem," MRMR 28:28 (12 November 1903), 22. 26 Joseph F. Bradley, The Role of Trade Associations and Professional Business Societies in America (University Park: Pennsylvania Sate University Press, 1965), most importantly "Chapter 3: Organizational Aspects of Associations."; Hoagland, 92-93; "Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes and the Lake Carriers' Association," Retrieved through the University Library of Munich, Germany in its series MPRA Paper 11378, http://ideas.repec.org/p/pra/mprapa/11378.html (accessed May 15, 2018); Fisher, 42-43; Hoagland, 42; Miller, 87-93. 27 Annual Report of the Lake Carriers' Association (Cleveland: Lake Carriers' Association,1903), 4-7. 28 "When Will Spring Navigation Open," Saginaw News (SN), 15 February 1904; "Want Their Old Places," CPD, 19 February 1904; "Boats Will Buy Supplies Here," DNT, 19 March 1904;