The sun., 1918-12-22
BOAT OWNERS LOSE
4 BY TAFT DECISION
War Labor Board Chairman
Rules Employers Must Ar
bitrate Dispute.
DENIES WAR is ENDED
Says Wage Adjustment Board
Cannot Dissolve by Its
Own Action.

In a finding that he punctuateu WIFI
hearty chuckles, William Howard Taft,
Joint chairman OF the War Labor
Board, told the boat owners OF New
York yesterday after a hearing in City
Hall that they must submit to arbi-
trating the dispute which has arisen
between them and the thousands OF
marine workers. He found the issues
against the boat owners in every claim
they put up. as follows:
First--That they are bound by an
arbitration agreement under which
they are obligated during the period OF
the war to submit all differences con-
cerning wages or conditions of labor
involved in the operation OF marine
equipment to q board constituted as
the agreement and It's amendments le-
gally acquiesced in by all parties pro-
vide.
SecOnd--That the New York Harbor
Wage Adjustment Board, which wanted
10 dissolve, cannot do so by its own
Recommendation or by resignation OF
its members. and that the vacancies
thus created should be Immediately
filled by the appointing powers.
Denies War Period IL Ended.
Third-That the period of the war
- not ended, and hence the board
should continue the functions for
which 1t was created.
FOurth-That IL either party de-
sires a modification of the existing
award made by this board in July. it
should proceed to apply for a revision
before the board, as Is provided in the
award itself.
And these views, agreed to unani-
n1ously by the full War Labor Board.
Mr.. Taft said, make it unnecessary for
His commission to take any further ac-
ton.
The actual demands made by the
marine engineers for more pay and
eight hours did not come up before
lIr. Tafts board. AS Basil NJ. Manly,
the acting chairman stated. the hear
Ing was for the purpose OF determining
y Why the employers and employees
should not continue under the agree
rnent OF this summer. which would al
low the New York Harbor Wage Ad-
ferences that should arise between
the boat owners and their employees.
Representatives Of the local boar
said it was willing to yield jurisdiction
but because Of the seriousness of the
situation. felt that some agency should
settle the dispute.
1t developed that the War Labor
Board was called in at the behest oil
Secretary of Labor Wilson. The boa
owners defled Government interfer-
ence, and reiterated their contention
yesterday that no Government boarc
should order them to revise theil
schedule to eight hours.
Now" Mr.. Taft said. lit is objected
that the period during which this cor
Tract is to last Is ended. The tern
hxed Is during the period OF the war.
II is objected that there is an arms
tice, a suspension of hostilities, ani
that, in fact. is the end OF the war.
THE Supreme Court of the Unite,
States has decided that peace come:
and war ends when the President IA!
proclaimed peace under a treaty rati
lied by the Senate. Until then war, i,
its legal sense. continues.
Nor in this case Is there an,
equitable ground for saying that tn
war Is over. This agreement shout,
certainly cover the present situation
Involving the transportation of troops
involving the sending across OF relic
for our allies In this war. the scndinl
across Of provisions for suffering peo
pies, the condition of whom might lea.
to q continuation Of war on the othe
side; might produce a state OF pessi
nism, further developing the awfL
condition of Bolshevism.
Therefor we hold that the contrac
OF submission with its amendments
still! in effect and binds a.! par:!c
thereto, that il is the duty OF the az
pointing powers when their action
properly invoked to supply vacancic
which may have been created by tn
resignation of those who have recon
mended the dissolution OF the board.
1.-THE members of the board can't III
themselves by their boot straps. The
can't dissolve a board that they didn
create.
No Right to Appeal to Public.
What we think Is that the partit
ought to recognize these conclusion
and ought to come together and pei
form the obligation OF their contra'
end stand TO 1t. They have no riGl
TO appeal to the public for considers
ton OF any sort when they arc III
complying with their own agreement
~ We find nothing in the facts state
that in any way relieves the parties
that agreement from the obligation
continue to comply with the awar
Should the award be Ill ada pied to ne
conditions a revision OF the award
provided in the award itself"
There was no conference OF DO;
owners after their defeat. Those wi
were at the hearing said they W
fight any demands for the eight no,
day and will oppose the Governmel
taking over control Of the system. VIII
probably now will be done Is that
date for hearing Will be set by Il
New York board. If the owners Il
more it, then ex parte testimony W
be taken and an award given. Shou
this, too. be ignored. then an appe
TO the United States Shipping Boa
to take hand.