Hopkins v. Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc.

Ryan, Ch. J.

Twenty-three seamen, each suing for one month’s wages, have joined in this action based upon section 594 of title 46 of the United States Code (U. S. Rev. Stat. § 4527; chap. 322, act of June 7, 1872, § 21; 17 U. S. Stat. at Large, 266), which reads as follows: “Any seaman who has signed an agreement and is afterward discharged before the commencement of the voyage or before one month’s wages are earned, without fault on his part justifying such discharge, and without his consent, shall be entitled to receive from the master or owner, in addition to any wages he may have earned, a…