The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-01
ASK |
FOR INCREASED PAY.
Steamship Lines Refuse and
Issues Go to War Labor
Board for Decision.
PROMISE NOT TO STRIKE
1000 Workers Affected in
Demand for 8 Hour Day
at 81 an Hour.

The lonsshoremen OF the Eastern
increased pay will continue their work
until the War Labor Board, which IN
hearing evidence In the dispute at the
Produce Exchange, makes a decision.
That was promised yesterday by repre-
sentatives OF the union. although the
agreement under which the men have
been working for the last year expired
at midnight last night.
The demands OF the men have been
nstly refused by the ocean and coast
wise steamship lines on the ground that
they are exorhitant and that the men
have not only violated their agreement
| during the year but also have failed TO
do efficient work. The representatives OF
the lines say that under the present
wage scale the men make as much as
$50 a week and more, and do not do
as good work as they did formerly.
! The demands OF the international
Longshoremens Association, which repre-
sents $4,000 men in she ports of New
York. Boston. Norfolk Newport News,
Baltimore and Portland, are Tor an
eight hour day at 81 an hour and 81
an hour for overtime and Sunday work
They now are getting so cents an hour
for a nine hour day. with T5 cents an
hour overtime and 81 an hour for Sun
days and holidays. They claim this does
not compensate for their arduous work
and that they cannot live on this scale.
Those Attending Conference.
In the absence Of the chairman, for
mer Gov. Bass OF New Hampshire. Johr
Palfrey acted as chairman OF the com
mission. The other members are l.. V
O'Connor,, president OF the union: L. J
Barber OF the Barber Steamship Lines
representing the overseas shipping; +
A. Kelly Of the Mallory Lane, for thu
coastwise companies. and J. r. McLane
civilian representative for the United
States Army. Commander J. c. Hilton
u. s. ". represented the navy. ant
Lieut.. Col. W. 3. Baker, who more thar
a year ago represented the army as I
member OF the local adjustment board
also was present. There were many rep
re sentatives OF steamship companies ant
Of the longshoremen's and stevedores
unions.
It developed during the discussion
tnot much or tnS difficulties nave bF1scl
from the lack Of any central regulatin,
labor body, the men sometimes working
three and four days a week and thel
remaining Idle at their piers under thei
individual bosses until another shi
locked. although at another pier Their
might be a great demand for longshore
men. The men explained that they ha
: to accept these conditions or lose thei
chance Of permanent employment unde
their foremen. Tho trouble also
largely complicated by differences be
tween the longshoremen and the steve
dores.
The shipping men put the situation
squa rely up to the Government TO decid
: on the ground that the Government
now operating tho ships. and the me
also showed a willingness to abide b
the commissions decision. Mr.. o'Conno
said there would be no strike even
their demands were refused.
But all the spokesman for tho long
! shoremen showed much bitterness 1
. their talks TO the commission. The
! were not gifted as orators: their word
came haltingly and there was little al
arrangement In their arguments. but the
said that II the companies had grieN
o ances against them they had ten times a
many against the companies and fe
n that because OF the hard conditions {
. their work they would hardly be fairl
? paid II their demands were met.