Maritime Commission head takes issue with Labor Secretary before senate. Washington, D.C., Feb. 16. Joseph P. Kennedy, (left) Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission, engages in an "off-the-record" talk with Senator Royal S. Copeland, (right) Chairman, and Senator Elbert D. Thomas, a member of the Senate Commerce Commission before whom Kennedy appeared today. Taking sharp issue with Secretary of Labor Perkins who told the Committee sometime ago that his proposal for Government mediation of Maritime labor disputes was "premature" because industry was not "ripe"; Kennedy urged speedy approval of the proposal, 2/16/38