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Show HARD Wages of Republic's Crew Stopped When , Ship Went Down New York, Jan. 37. There was a picturesque band concert at the rooms on the Seamen's Christian Assn., on i the water front last night, given by the orchestra of the ill-fated Whito Star liner Republic whoso members played play-ed enthusiastically on instruments borrowed from the Baltic's band, tho j steamship which brought the survlv-1 ors of the recent disaster safely into j port. Several hundred seamen, prin- 1 Ipally "down below men," crowded into the rooms and discussed incidents inci-dents of the crash, while they listenod to the music. E. W. P. Thurston flret British vice-consul vice-consul at this port, addressed the crew of tho Republic late yesterday outlining outlin-ing their rights and privileges, and explaining ex-plaining what they could expect from the White Star line in accordance with I he laws of the merchant marine. The men had voiced some complaint when it became known that their wages stopped when the Republic sank, that is, that they were to be docked for lost time because of the accldenr. Mr. Thurston said that tho men could not reasonably expect to receive pay during dur-ing the time occupied on their return trip to Liverpool, whither they will be taken freo, probably on tho Baltic J cu Saturday. The full amount of' wages due will not be paid until the men make application for It in Liverpool, Liver-pool, but the company will advance a small amount of money to those who are in need. No promise was made of ; certain employment by the White Star line in the future, although It was hoped provision would be made for all. In view of the announcement that the men will be paid only up to the time that tho Republic sank, it is perhaps per-haps pertinent to say that tills custom i carried out at all American and English ports. Seamen are signed simply for the cruise and are paid. In cases of wreck or other disaster, only for actual service during the time the l vessel is afloat j Attorneys for both tile White Star line and the Lloyd-ItaJlano, the latter lat-ter owners of the Florida, are preparing prepar-ing for a battle in the courts arising because of the accident. Litigation Involving approximately $2,000,000 will probably be thrashed out, but which j essel,vas to blame for the disaster 1 will be settled first by a court of inquiry. in-quiry. If tho Florida was to blame the Republic's owneis may libel her to the value of the boat and tho passenger pas-senger and freight receipts. This holds true in the event of the Republic being be-ing found at fault., j .But the Lloyd-Italiano line may recover re-cover only tho amount which the Florida was damaged. Although the White Star line may be used by passengers pas-sengers who were injured in the collision, col-lision, or for the deaths of passengers, as there is no law governing loss of life on the high seas, It Is doubtful if any such suits will be brought. , I According to stipulations on the back of each ticket, the passengers J r.iay recover only $100 each on their baggage, although many lost a far I preater amount, The total loss on baggage and personal effects Is variously var-iously estimated at from $175,000 to $250,000. |