New-York tribune., 1907-05-16
STRIKE BECOMES WAIT
LONGSHOREMEN WEAKEN
Steamship Companies Are Uni
fOrmly Optimistic.

gun to show symptoms of fzzling out They
say that strikers by twos and threes are apply
ing Tor work at the different piers.
The assertion was made yesterday on behalf
Of the International Mercantile Marine Com
pany that seventy strikers were back at work
on the piers of the American and Red Star
lines. More are expected back. Pay
day this week. with no money coming to the
strikers, will be, it is thought, the crucial time
Of the strike
A report from President Connors of the
LongshOremen's Protective Union that the Ital-
ian fruit liners docking at Pier B, in Jersey City
had sent for two hundred and fifty strikers at
the wages they demanded and that these strik-
ers were now working was declared to be abso-
lutely without foundation in fact by the COM
panies The hatfooted announcement of Con-
nors that four hundred grain elevator men had
gone strike was also denied.
general statement made in behalf of the
transatlantic lines involved. which says, in part:
1t appears desirable to correct a number of
statements which have appeared and are abso-
lutely without any foundation In fact.
Flrst-The statement that the Italian fruit
lines had given in TO the strikers and taken
tirely untrue. No negotiations have been opened
with the strikers and the italian lines are firmly
adhering to the policy adopted by all the lines
SecOnd-It is not true that the grain elevator
men have gone on strike; they are working as
Third-The Barber Line has not only not ap-
preached any one of the strike leaders, but
certain strike leader who claims TO control the
Italian laborers and appeared their pier TO
make trouble was promptly elected.
Continuing. the statement said that the Inter
national Mercantile Marine Company had all
the men it wanted; that its ships would sail
on time that the company would not give in
to the strikers. and that none of the new ships
would be sent to Philadelphia or TO any other
port for the purpose merely of avoiding the
strike It also said that the situation in
Hoboken very satisfactory: that the strike
had practically collapsed there and that large
numbers OF strikers throughout the port would
return to work but for threats which had been
made against their wives and children.
It announced later that five hundred men
who had gone on strike in sympathy at the Bush
stores in Brooklyn had returned TO work at
former wages and had been reinstated.
J. Bruce Ismay chairman of the International
Mercantile Marine Company, is due here to-day
on the White Star liner Adriatic He returned
TO England a short time ago after his semi-an-
nual visit 70 New York. His sudden return is
said to be on account Of the strike but it is also
said that he wants to observe the working OF the
new liner Adriatic
At the offices of the White Star Company II
was said that Mr.. Ismay's return would not
affect the situation far the strike was con-
,erned. In reference 10 an assertion attributed
10 Superintendent Penneu. Of the White Star
piers, that he knew Of many companies which
would be willing to pay longshoremen 60 cents
an hour, It said on behalf Of the line that
ne had made no such remark. and that the com
oanies would pay only the regular wages
Operating Manager J. H. Thomas OF the In
ternational Mercantile Marine Company said
hat the old hands were coming back by degrees
and that the men working better than
when they were first put The Majestic Of
he White Star Line. sailed at 10 o'clock this
morning, discharged and fully loaded" ne said.
The Cedric will sail on schedule time on Fri
lay. The Red Star liner Finland will sail on
line Saturday; so will also the Atlantic
Transport liner Minnehaha and the American
iner St Louis"
He believed the strike would soon begin 20
)reak up. In regard 10 the assertion that the
trkers had q monopoly OF strength, he wished
% say that the new men were just as good a |
lass Of men physically and that all they wanted
vas experience. He also wished to deny tho
stories that vessels were leaving with part OF |
heir cargo on board.
Gustav Schwab, general agent OF the North |
ierman Lloyd Line. said that there nothing |
n the report that the companies losing |
Millions Of dollars through the strike. The long |
horemens strike could not under any conceiva-
lie condition have tho slightest effect on the |
teamshp passenger service, he said.
Before men were found to take the places of |
he strikers" he continued, there was naturally |
clay in handling the freight. This. I can say
or the line, only temporary. All the freight !
being handled in satisfactory manner"
President Connors of the Longshoremen's Pro-
rain elevator men had not struck they would
trike tomorrow. He said he would order the
trike tonight. He went 10 Brooklyn 10 ad-
ress meetings OF Italian longshoremen, and
While he was away the Rev. Francis H. Clay
Ioran Of the Church Association for the Ad-
ancemcnt of the Interests Of Labor of which
bishop Potter is officer went to Greenwich
Ian and addressed the strikers Mr.. Moran
Did them that their demands were just and fair
nd that they would have the moral support of
he association.
About one hundred strikebrealterS from East
rn points arrived here yesterday tho Fall
liver steamer Priscilla. They were taken In a
ghter to the docks of the Bush Terminal Com
any in Brooklyn.
The strike leaders said last night that F.
uditore & Co, No. 1O7 Union street. Brooklyn.
ad seen President Connors about hiring 100
zen at 40 and 60 cents hour. but there was a
itch about the employment OF union men only.
nd the contract was not closed
Captain Ira II. Harris. chief of the Bureau Of
Inspection of Steam Vessels, said yesterday that
resident Connors Of the strikers had made
everal complaints of alleged violation of the
NV by tugs and lighters in carrying passen-
ers He had revoked the license of one tug on
- charge of carrying more passengers than
s license called for pending a trial by the
zeal board of inspectors. In the OF two
ghters he had referred the complaints to the
wv department Of the Collectors Office.