New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-07
PHILADELPHIA IS DELAYED
Strike Hits Transatlantic Liner
for First Time.
TREACHERY.' OFFICIALS SAY
Ship Departs at Night with Sub
stitute CreW-Vidal Blamed
for Trouble.

BY calling cut the oilers. water tenders
ard coal passers on the American Line
steamship philadelphia, as she was about
To sail Yesterday morning, leaders Of the
seamen's strike displayed new vigor In an
unexpected place. this was the nrSt
time the effects OF the trouble had hit
transatlantic ship. being confined up TO
this TO coastwisc shipping.
This victory, however, was u short du-
ration. for the company managed TO recruit
substitute crew and the ship got away
from the Hook at So p. m. il was
a victory. too. that. 1t was SAID Ios'
ground for the union rather than gained II,
since II came as an act or treacherv
against friendly company that mao al
loved James Vidal. secretary Of the union
TO have free access TO Its men and sign
them ND as members Of the union on MS
promise that they would not be called out
on strike
.yidal svorc that there WAS no complaint
against our company" one OF the ofhclals
satd est.rdav. ole said he wanted the
mon to sign merely to add strength 10 the
union We allowed him on board last night
on this premise. This unwarranted ueach-
cry has lost a friend for the union, as here
after we shall refuse 10 have anything 10
do with such faithless men"
Thu. question was raised as 10 whether
the act OF the men in walking out this
way was not mutiny since they nad
nuitted q shin before the voyage was COM
pleted. port Captain Luckhurst expressed
the opinion that although they had COM
mitted an objectionable breach Of faith, In
1naI M act
begun they were not amenable TO the ship
pi.I2 laws.
muster of the crew after It became
known that the trouble had reached the
Philadelphia showed that Of crew OF one
hundred and seyenty-fve, hundred ana
eight. all water tenders oilers and coal
passcrs, had failed to report for duty.
W Ridecuay. an official Of the lnterna-
tional Mercantile Marine Company, which
controls the Philadelphia. made n reassur-
inc speech to the passengers. An opposi-
ton speech pointing in glowing words
what the union intended doing, was started
on the dock by man who said he was
delegate Of the flremen. He was carried
off bodily and Mr.. Ridgeway's speech was
completed without further interruption.
The ship carried mail and viii have to
make a schedule speed on the voyage. She
left her dock at o'clock and dropped
down the bay. having only partial crew
Other men were sent down TO her IN
launches as fast as obtained
At the headquarters Of the union, No.
229 West street, there was no visible re-
ioIcIng over this walkout Officials OF the
Organization seemed to realize that they
had made a serious blunder in their tao
tics and refused to discuss ii.
The other branch Of the workers, the
Merchant Marine Mechanics Association.
formed to oppose the leadership OF vidal
and the Spanish element, sent committee
Yesterday 10 see the shipping owners In an
effort to settle the strike on tho basis OF
more moderate demands. They were turned
down by the shipping men.
I'VE will have nothing whatever to do
with any committees Of strikers, no matter
what name they come TO US under" said
an oficial OF the Ward Line. "These oilers
and water tenders. calling themselves
Americans. walked ont with the Spaniards.
and we are not taking lack men that failed
us when we needed them. They demand
IS increase and a recognition OF their union.
Neither Of these demands will be granted.
Coastwise shipping continued Its oper-
atoms yesterday unhampered. II was said
that a number of ships had made round
trips with their non-union crews intact,
which was the best sign possible that the
strike was smashed.