The sun., 1918-03-15
US. TOCONTR0L
STEVEDORES
Regiment Being Formed Here
by Army Officers for Use
in Emergencies.
APPROVED BY UNION MEN
Purpose Not to Break Strikes,
but Merely TO Offset
Enemy Plans.

Neither labor shortages nor strikes
among waterfront workers will be per-
mitted IN the future to hamper the ship
ment Of troops or supplies from this
port. To guard against such contingent
cies Uncle Sam Is even now forming a
regiment OF stevedores for emergency
service" about New York harbor. II the
experiment works we'll hero there is little
doubt that the same method will be Rp-
piled in all the otner ma jor ports OF the
country.
Coming in the midst Of the unrest that
exists among the marine workers in this
city the report Of the Governments ac-
labor circles. 1t was referred to in some
quarters as an attempt on the part of
Uncle Sam to embark in the strike
breaking business and predictions were
made that II could not fail to start
trouble.
On the other hand, II was learned that
the formation Of the stevedore regiment
not only IL approved by some Of the
bjsgef union ollicials, but even ID being
facilitated by them. Many Of the Of
Asers are. being picked from union ranks
and the colohelcy OF the unit was ohefed
to no less q person than r. V. O'Con-
nor. International president Of the long
shoremen's union. who. however. found II
necessary to decline the honor.
TO Oaset Eneny Agitation.
From an authoritative source it was
learned that the regiment would not he
called into action in the case OF ordi-
nary strikes along the waterfront affect
ing private interests, but would be used
only to cope with situations that pre-
vented the loading Of transports or mill
tary supply ships 1t was made plain
in this connection that the Governments
idea was not to enter into competition
with free labor. but to provide some
effective means Of combating possible at
tempts on the part Of enemy agitators
to stir up trouble along the waterfront.
The idea Of organising the longshore-
mems regiment was conceived last Feb
ruary during the labor trouble on the
Morgan Line piers. Major-Gen, Goe-
thais was entrusted with the details OF
the organisation and he Immediately set
about getting a suitable head for the
regiment. When Mr.. O'Connor declined
the coionelcy Gen. Goethals selected
Lieut.. Col. p. NJ. Merzig. Regular
Army oficer. who had served under him
In Panama.
The regiment, which according to one
story has already secured about half the
required complement Of men. Is being
made up both of drafted men and re-
cruits It will be Quartered somewhere In
Staten Island and will be made up en-
tirely of men who have become experts
In the handling Of bale hooks and trucks.
Would Prevent Strikes.
One distinct advantage which the Gov
ernment will derive from the mobilixa-
ton Of these observation-disclosures lies
in the fact that any attempt on the part
OF disgruntled strikers to interfere with
them In the performance of their duty
will be tantamount to insurrectfon and
will unquestiOnably be treated as SUCH
Mr.. O'Connor admitted yesterday that
he was conversant with all the details OF
the formation Of the regiment and vouch-
safed the rather vague explanation that
it was being organized to handle ANY
emergency that may arise In New York
harbor.'
would a strike be considered an
emergency" he was asked.
/ Yes" he replied. 'if 1t affected Gov
ernment work The regiment will not
be used in competition with free labor
but will only be called into action In
/ the case OF strikes or labor shortages
which threaten to interfere with the
loading of transports or munition
ships"
will the regiment be used to cope
with strikes among the longshoremen?
| Mr.. O'Connor was asked.
| "If In the handling OF Government
work the longshoremen should turn
about and violate their recent agreement
to arbitrate all demands the regiment
| will most certainly be called upon 10
provide the required number Of labor.
ers." was the reply.
There are only about forty or fifty
men causing all the trouble along the
| waterfront" continued Mr.. O'Connor
"and we intend to drive them out OF
! business"
Trouble Belittled.
| The situation among the tidewateI
men and the lightermen which nearly
precipitated strike a few days age
was belittled by Mr.. O'Connor. Condi.
tions among these workers, he said. were
not nearly 70 bad as they had been
painted.
Definite announcement was made
| yesterday that the demands OF the tide.
water men, the llghtermen and the har.
Dor boatmen would I've taken up at g
meeting of the Board Of Arbitration OF
the United States Shipping Board to bt
held In room 429 of the Custom House
! at 10 o'clock this morning.
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, ". VA.
| The Greenbrier. European plan. Wonderful