New-York tribune., 1902-03-17
STRIKE NOT YET ENDED,
BOSTON SITUATION SERIOUS
AND NAY NOT SETTLE SOON.
THE LONGSHORENIEN AND TRANSFERS
THREATEN \ WORSE CONDITION
UNLESS TERMS ARE MADE
RY WEDNESDAY,
RY WEDNESDAY.

Boston, March 16,-Yesterday's conferences
cleared the atmosphere of many of the per-
picking questions concerning the great indus
trial strike Of last week and apparently rem
dered a peaceful termination certain, that
labor men and all who have figured in the
movement were able to-day to obtain the relax
alton which it had been impossible for them to
obtain since the strike was inaugurated.
Tonight. however, there are clouds on the
horizon. and indications are not lacking that
matters are not running smoothly yet. Practi-
cauy all the strikers except the lOngshOremen
and team drivers are satisfied with the present
outlook for settlement so far as their organi-
cations are concerned. but these two classes Of
workmen have grievances which seem to battle
all attempts to compromise.
The lonRshoremen are bitter toward the Met
ropolltan Steamship Line. which absolutely re-
fuses to take back more than a small number
of the old men, and the Clyde Line. which Will
not discharge the men already employed TO
make places for the old hands. The strikers
also refuse to go back on the Merchants and
Miners Line and work with non-union men and
submit to a reduction Of five cents an hour in
their wages.
They held a stormy meeting tonight. at
which many bitter things said OF their for
mer employers. and President Ryan, of the
longshoremen's union said after the meeting
that unless matters were adjusted soon they
were prepared to tie up the business Of the com
panies all along the seaboard
The situation is SO strained tonight that u.
J. O'Keefe. president of the National Long
shoremen's Union. who is now in Cleveland. has
been asked to come to Boston and endeavor to
adjust the trouble.
There are still 15S expressmen who have not
yet been able to get back their old places.
and this has aroused strong feeling against
the companies Secretary Innis. Of Detroit, of
the National Team Drivers Union, who is
in this city trying to straighten out matters
said tonight that the situation is very serious.
He said that he was TO have conferences with
the State Board of Arbitration. master team
sters and others tomorrow. Considering the ex-
pressmen's and longshoremen's troubles to-
gether he said:
Unless the entire situation is settled by
Wednesday there is little doubt that a conten-
ton will break out worse than has yet been in
seen in this city
This statement was warmly ndorsed by Presi-
dent Ryan of the Longshoremens Union, who
was present when it made Both men were
positive in their belief that unless a satisfactory
settlement was brought about the temper of the
men was such that nothing could restrain them
from taking matters into their hands
Special meetings Of the two organizations will
be held on Wednesday night, and meantime
every possible eIOlt Will Ne Drought 10 DeaI 10
bring harmony out of confusion.
Chairman Reed of the State Board Of Arbi-
tration, will tomorrow morning visit the vari-
Gus steamship docks. and later in the day will
call upon the express officials and master team
sters and endeavOr to bring about an under
standing between them and their former EN-
plOyes.
All the influences that united to bring about
what il was hoped would be a final settlement
Of the strike will continue at work until all the
great interests involved have become har-
moniZed and until the strike can be called alb
solutely an issue of the past.
The day has been filled with meetings OF
nearly all the labor organizations which partici-
pated in the strike. With the exceptions al
ready mentioned the time devoted to dis
cussing the strike in all its phases and in per-
fecting arrangements for the return to work
of the members in the morning. Practically
all freight handlers and clerks will go back to-
morrow. and others viii be retnstated as fast
as vacancies occur, although upon the New
York New-HaVen and Hartford Railroad the
men perfectly understand that they Will be re-
duired 10 load and unload teams whenever they
shall he requested to do so by their foremen,
trusting to the efforts Of Governor Crane to
have that rule rescinded in the early future.