New-York tribune., 1906-09-20
STRIKE STOPS FERRIES
EIGHTEEN BOATS IDLE.
Traffic on Neso York and BrookIyn
Lines Suspended.

All traffic across the East River on five lines
operated by the New York and Brooklvn Ferry
Company was tied up yesterday bv striks
Eighteen ferryboats ceased running. and ,hop-
sands OF passengers were Obliged TO seek other
means OF transit. More than n score OF funerals
were held up for hours on the Manhattan side.
and great inconvenience was caused
The strike. which was altogether unexnact.d
was not regular" strike. according N officers
Of the Eccentric Firemens Union to which some
OF the strikers belong. because it was neither
advised nor ordered by the union as a bodv
The strike began about IL 80 a. m. and the
tie-up was complete by noon. The flrsmen only
went strike. but their action threw idle the
pilots. oilers. engineers. deckhands and porters
The strike was TO enforce demand OF the fire
for an increase OF wages, from s14 IS a
week 20 SIS a month. No positive refusal Of the
demand was made by the company but the fire.
men. after waiting for a reply for some time
concluded that the demand was ignored ana de-
clared for the strike at a meeting on Tuesday
night The following ferry lines We're affected
by the stri6e
Roosevelt street ferry between Roosevelt street.
weekly and two on Sunday.
haitian. and broadway. brooklyn. two boats. Man
Grand street ferry, between Grand street Man
Twenty-third street ferry, between 2Sd street,
Manhattan and Broadway. Brooklyn. four boats on
Twenty-third street ferry. between sd street
Forty-second street ferry between 42d street.
Manhattan. and Broadway Brooklyn. three boats.
tan. and GreenpOint. two boats
Some Of the ferryboats were in rnidstream
when the strike was due. and the fremen were
hailed by committees OF the flremen. who were
In rowbOats. and told that the strike on.
The fremen then quit work when the boats
reached the slips.
AT the time the strike went into effect there
is usually a slackening OF traffic at some OF this
ferries. but, all the same blocks occurred dur
ing the day owing TO the unwillingness OF the
truckmen who were crossing 10 believe at first
that there was a strike.
Signs We're up at the ferries 10 the effect that
no boats were running. and the gates We're kept
closed. Some OF the truck drivers were inclined
al first TO rush the gates. and It required the
efforts OF the police 10 preserve order.
During the afternoon there We're many blocks
along East 23d street and East 42d street. The
conductors on the crosstown cars in some cases
informed passengers OF the strike. but took
20 collect the fares first This. however. did not
prevent passengers in many cases from going 10
the ferries on chance Of getting across.
When the rush hours came the ferries We're
stu tied up. The usual rush OF shoppers to the
and girls along 23d street leading TO the ferries
seemed 10 have formed themselves into volun-
teer committees and waylaid intending passen-
gers, telling them that no boats were running.
crowd Of men and women most OF them
employees IN department stores. surged around
the 23d street ferries. Vehicles OF all kinds
helped TO make the confusion greater. Sales
girls in department stores. who were tired and
anxious 20 get home. We're worried at the delay
when told 10 take other ferries. and some OF
them began 20 cry.
There was report last night that the fire.
men employed by the Nassau Ferry Company.
between Grand street Brooklyn. and Houston
street. Manhattan, would also strike for an in
crease OF wages.
The other employees at the ferries affected by
the strike. Il was said last night. were very
much disgusted with the fremen for striking
and throwing them idle without consulting them
first They Will send committee to talk with
the fremen.