New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-29
ALL EYES ON FIRElIEN
The Freight Handlers Strike Seems
To Be Failure.

The last hope of the striking freight handlers
seems TO lie with the marine firemen who have
not yet reached decision regarding sympa-
thetic strike
The executive committee OF the Marine Fire
mems Union met in executive session at the
Clarendon Hotel at IL a. m. yesterday. Those
present were James T. Mahoney. Boston: Harry
Duxon. Baltimore; William Robertson. Phila-
delphia: Harold Nelson. Mobile; Daniel Peter
son, Norfolk, and Daniel Sullivan. the general
secretary and chairman of the meeting.
The case of the freight handlers was presented
to the committee by President Curran of the
international Union of Freight Handlers and
Warehousera4r- Mr.. Mahoney said that the
hrernen were conservative in Boston. The CON
stitution practically forbade sympathetic strikes.
Asked II there was any grievance in Boston.
he said:
I'VE have no very strong grievance. But
guess We can find one If we want to-
Mr. Robertson Of Philadelphia. also was con-
servative regarding the possibility Of strike.
1t is thought. however. that these two men were
one reason given for a strike is that the men
have opportunity at this season to get jobs
private yachts, with easier hours more pleasure
and more money.
After the conference which lasted several
hours. Curran said:
we have formed an alliance for all time
which will include not only the present trouble.
but any trouble that may arise. They (the
executive committee Of the marine fremeD con-
troll the water and we control the rails.
Mr.. Mahoney, of Boston. and Mr. Robertson.
Of Philadelphia, who were conservative when
ihe conference began. have been won over and
have changed their views materially"
Curran's attitude and statement conveyed the
impression that general strike of all the union
men on coastwise steamers would be ordered
to-day.
Secretary Sullivan of the Marine Firemen's
Union said that no statement regarding the pro-
posed general strike of the hremen would be
given out until this morning, between 10 and II
O'Clock.
Michael HeaIy Of the local freight handlers
union. reported to President Curran yesterday
that he had succeeded in inducing seventy five
non-union men to quit work ON the piers.
The agents of the New-Haven company at the
piers asserted that they had the business en-
tirely within their grasp and that the strikers
had been unable to hinder them. All the Sound
boats sailed usual, on time The forces now
employed are more than half negroes.
o. NJ. Shepard. superintendent, said yesterday
that the manner in which the freight had been
moved during the day had been extremely sat
isfactory at ALI points. With the exception of
the railroads refusal of perishable freight. nor
mai conditions prevailed everywhere. Begin
class OF freight as usual. Two thousand cars
were moved from the Mott Haven yards. and
more would be moved to-day.
A watchunan at the Mott Haven yards
ported that ne had found a strike sympathizer
Trowling around the yards with stick of dyna-
mite which he was seeking to explode. Transfer
boat No o was his objective point, but the
watchman overcame him single handed and
escorted him out OF the ysSo.