New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-20
STRIKING OIL WIEN
RETURN TO WORK
May Get Wage Increase
Full Force Expected To-
day in Bayonne

The strike of the Standard Oil Com
pany employees in Bayonne, N. j., is
over. One thousand strikers, at a meet
ing last night in Mydosh's Hall, voted
to return to work this morning, after
Federal mediators, who have been in
Bayonne two days, had promised them
they would endeavor to obtain wage
increase for them when they were back.
The vote to return followed a confer
ence earlier in the day at Police Head
quarters between John A. Mofitt and
James A. Smyth, government concilia-
ton commissioners, sent to Bayonne
by the Department of Labor, and the
strikers committee Of ten, headed by
Walter Skendzil. The police barred
George n. Melcher, the strikers erst-
while leader, from headquarters and
also from the mass meeting last night,
on the ground he was an "agitator."
Refused to Negotiate
The Federal mediators told the COM
mittee the Standard Oil Company would
refuse to negotiate with the men while
they were on strike and would not
heed the mediators' pleas in the mems
behalf until the strikers had returned
TO work. The mediators assured the
men that il they returned their de-
mands would probably be granted, at
least in part. Mr.. Mofitt promised he
would stay in Bayonne and work IN
their behalf until the matter was set
tied.
Through Mr.. Skendzil. the commit
tee advised the men at last nights
meeting to return TO work and trust to
the mediators to obtain higher wages
and better working conditions. Speak
ing on behalf of the medlators, gov
eminent interpreter from Washington
repeated to the strikers in Polish the
assurance the mediators had given the
committee earlier in the day. The men
then voted unanimously to end the
strike. ,.o,
The plants of both the Standard Oil
Company and the Tidewater Company
resumed operations yesterday morn
ing, when almost 5000 men returned
TO work These were mostly EngHsL
speaking employees, who had not struck,
but were locked out when the plants
were closed. ,,.,,,
the strike district when these workers
went into Constable Hook again 20
take their jobs at the sound OF the
o'clock whistle. There was none OF
the rioting that had been expected
however.
peace has settled on the Hook and
saved for boarded windows, smashed
in last weeks rioting, there are now
no signs that bullets recently were
flying there.
Originally Asked Big Raises.
The original demands of the strikers
were for raise of 80 per cent IN
wages for those earning less than IS
a day and 90 per cent for those earn
ing more. While it is understood the
company will not consider granting
such n large increase, the nediators
animated Superintendent Hennesseys
attitude was conciliatory and the men
would probably get small raise AFTER
they resume work.
Roth the Standard and Tidewater
plants are expected to be running 70
tay with their full force Of about 1000
employees.
After their return TO work, the men
nlan 70 organize a union, and it 's
predicted 4 the expected raise IS not
forthcoming, there will be another
strike. Leaders explained the strikers
were greatly handicapped in the walk,
cut Just ended by the lack Of forma!
organization.