New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-20
Mediation Offer
Flatly Rejected
By Longshoremen
They Vote to Hold Out I'm
til White Star Line Pier
Boss Is Removed

All hope for an early settlement OF
the longshoremens strike by arbitra-
ton was dissipstcd yesterday when the
members OF the New York District
Council Of the international Longshore-
mems Union voted 70 hold out until the
international Mercantile Marine Com
pany scceded TO the demands OF the
men, who struck because they did not
wish TO work under the direction OF
Frank Labardo, foreman Of the White
Star Line and former strike-breaker.
When the special conference a. the
union headquarters, at l64 Eleventh
Avenue, ended yesterday II was an
nounced that Labardo would have 20
20 before single member OF the
union would return TO work.
I'VE argued the question Of the
strike from every possible angle" said
John F. Riley, president of the District
Council of the international Long
shoremen's Association. There were
about 800 men inside the hall and
about 5000 more outside. When the
vote was put as to whether we should
agree TO aroitrate the dispute over
Frank Labardo, the men voted enthus-
iastically against il. Apart from this
matter, we haey no cause for dispute
against the international Mercantile
Marine Company. II has paid the men
when they were away through sickness
and compensated the families when
'longshoremen were killed, while othtr
lines have not given cent, because
the workmen's compensation act does
not protect 'lonSshoremen."
Three thousand more Joined the
ranks Of the strikers in the course OF
the day. The total of those now on
strike is said TO be $500. The rein
forcements of yesterday came from the
piers Of the American, Anchor, French,
Italian, Ward and Holland-American
lines.
In Hoboken 200 men struck because
they could not have an hour of every
afternoon. Superintendent A. Royce
veen, in charge Of the piers. has re-
fused this concession, contending that
the men want the time Off merely to
visit saloons. He declared that he
would not tolerate drinking by men
who worked for him. Mr.. Roggeveen
said the company had only three ships
at The piers, and he was willing TO let
the men suit themselves as to whether
they should .eeturn to work under the
old conditions.
On the Ward Line piers about 400
negro longshoremen quit work purely
on a question of wages. They had been
receiving Is cents an hour. with So
cents for overtime. Since the men
struck on the Chelsea piers, the negroes
have demanded 90 cents an hour with
go cents for overtime and 81 an hour
for Sundays and holidays.
The striking men in the Chelsea dis
trict, with patriotic motive, have not
declined to work on the loading Of an
American liner that is soon to depart.
Through a representative they in
formed tho company that they would
not let the grievance against Labsrdo
hold up cargo ald mails on an Ameri'
can steamship
Their dissatisfaction over alleged
harsh treatment on the part OF the OBJ
iectionable pier superintendent is al
legged by the steamship company 70 be
nothing more than an excuse TO get
more pay, without appearing to de-
mand il directly, at a time when me
company and the government are strlv,
ing 70 transport men, munitions ana
supplies abroad q. the greatest haste
possible. .,
P. A. S. Franklin, president Of the
international Mercantile Marine Co.,
declared that Frank Labsrdo, the White
Star foreman, would be supported.
"The International Mercantile Marine
Company" Mr.. Franklin said, was the
first steamship corporation in New
York to recognize the international