Washington, Jan. 16.
Publication to-day of a Senate Commerce Committee report on secret hearings conducted recently revealed a dozen reports by United States consuls abroad deploring the lack of discipline in the American merchant marine.
A report dated July 2 by Mr. "Clarence E. Gauss, Consul General in Shanghai, was typical In it, Me. Geuss wrote:
"I have the honour to bring to the attention of the Department the serious, not to say deplorable, lack of discipline prevalent on American merchant vessels touching Shanghai.
"The almost complete lace of a sense of responsibility and discipline among American seamen has made American shipping almost a laughing stock in this country. These conditions as yet are largely confined to vessels whose crews are shipped in Pacific Coast ports."
It was learned that the hearings covered, the charges that, firstly, some operators hesitate strictly to enforce the maritime laws, secondly, that some seamen are Communistic, thirdly, that one captain during the last two years had "seen discipline vanish entirely, and the elevator boys trap young girls in the elevators between decks to make advances.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.