Show Investigation Undertaken by tho Bureau Bu-reau of Labor Washington Aug 20The bureau of labor has recently undertaken an independent inde-pendent Investigation in a field of inquiry in-quiry which It has not before entered Tho work of American seamen in the merchant service is the subject to which the officials of the bureau are devoting a part of their attention during dur-ing the present season Agents have been stationed at the five principal ports of tho country New York Boston Bos-ton Philadelphia Baltimore and Han Francisco whose business Is to Investigate Inves-tigate the condition of life and service ot common sailors employed In the merchant shipping carried on under tho United States Hag The terms upon up-on which seamen are employed the wages paid them the treatment accorded accord-ed to them at sea and Incidentally the rations and accommodations furnished on shipboard are being Investigated Particular attention Is being paid to contracts made with seamen |