New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-22
FERRY FIREMEN STRIKE
Rut L. L. r. Il. Service Is Tied Up
Onlua Half Hour at Dull Time.

Probably the least troublesome strike on rec
ord occurred yesterday morning, wnen between
twenty-five and thirty fremen and oilers EN-
ployed In the local marine service or the Long
island Railroad went out at IL o'clock. and for
half an hour put the 34th street and the wan
street ferryboats out Of business Strike break
ers were obtained Immediately, and an inter-
mittent service of one boat at 34th street was
started up The service of six or seven boats
was resumed half an hour later
The strike occurred a. dull hour of the day,
and there was little congestion of traffic. Nine
ferryboats. seven tugs and three annex poa'S
were tied UP for the time being, as the strikers
gave the company very short notice. according
to its officers. The wanted their wages IN
creased from $50 to SO month"; and when told
that no raise could be given them they left
their posts.
Superintendent Van Anges Immediately OBJ
tanned several ffremen and put them on board
the Hudson City, which left Gath street shortly
after the men quit A few minutes later enough
strike breakers arrived to man all the aban-
doned boats. At first the company. fearing
prolonged tie-up, posted notices throughout the
ferryhouses on both sides of the river, saying
that 1t would not guarantee regular service
owing TO strike" The posters were soon re-
moved.
Superintendent Van Anges said that until tho
BEFORE,
men and oilers were dissatisfied with their pay
The company has nine or ten ferryboats in all.
three of which held in reserve for emergen-
cies The men on the reserve boat went out with
the others
The strikers said they belonged to the Atlantic
and Marine Firemen's Union. A rival organiza-
ton. the Harbor Boatmen's Union. gladly sup
piled the company with all the men they wanted.
When the strike broke out. one of the boats was
deserted by fits fremen and oilers the Man.
haitian side and had to be lowed TO Long Island
City.
The strikers contended they had to work
harder than those employed on other ferry lines.
The communication embodying their demands
was drawn up two weeks ago. but was presented
late Tuesday night to the company The pla-
cards posted about the lighthouses which
greeted the eyes OF the early morning COM
muters the first notice to the public Of any
trouble between the railroad and it's ferry fire.
men.
1.-THE demand OF the men for q raise in wages
was made practically without warning" said
Superintendent Van Anges. "They were receiv-
ing 500 a month. Their request for an increase
of So was impracticable at present. told then
and they went out / Immediately made ar
rangements TO replace them The demand Of
the frernen is unreasonable and we cannot &C
cede to it,
When the men of the night shift went TO work
on Tuesday six OF those who reported for
duty told the superintendent that they would
not work for less than $40. They accordingly
were discharged. Their places were filed with
some difficulty and the night service at 34th
street was somewhat impaired. Shortly after
s o'clock yesterday morning the committee OF
fremen called on Superintendent Van Anges
again and delivered their ultimatuns
A special force of deputies. drawn from the
Long Island Railroads employees was stationed
at the lighthouses to preserve order in the event
of trouble between the old men and the strike
breakers In addition extra men from the Long
Island City police force were detailed TO points
where such trouble might arise
All boats were running as usual last night. and
up TO an early hour this morning. Two-thirds
OF the strikers have been discharged from the
service Of the company.