Evening journal., 1918-11-07
STEVEDORES UNDER
CENTRAL CONTROL
Service Management of
Longshoremen Speeds
War Progress
PLAN IN OPERATION
DURING SUMMER


ment Service OF the great army of long
shoremen at ports along the Atlantic
coast into one mobile force for speed.
Ing up the loading and unloading OF
vessels engaged In the war traffic OF
this country has resulted in adding
virtually 30 per cent to the total ton
mage handled in equal time under for
ner conditions.
The results OF having the dockers un-
der central CONTROL Of shifting them
from pier to pier, or from one section
TO another, or even from one port TO
snother for temporary duty are show
Ing that the Employment Service plan
Is working out successfully.
In New York alone. several months
experience has proved $1,000 longshore-
mon arc doing as much work as for
mcrly required approximately 1900
What applies TO New York applies rela-
lively elsewhere. ShipOwners and ON
cials familiar with the delays under
the old systeru are asking that the in
stltution Of this elastic labor pool be
continued permanently.
Now that the Atlantic Coast has been
placed under q unified system. meas
ures are being taken to install the sys-
tenn on the Pacific, and already private
placement offices have been taken over
by the United States Employment Ser
vice in Seattle, Portland, and other Pa
ciflc ports. t-t-. -
The operation OF the longshore and
marine labor pool under the direction
Of the Employment Service was brought
about some months ago by the sltua-
tlon at New York where an extended
loading area and an unprecedented con-
centratlOn OF shipping completely over
taxed the stevcdOre forces In that port.
New York's waterfront actually covers
an area OF $50 miles, running from
Sandy Hook along all bays and estuaries
on the New Jersey shore TO a point
above New York opposite Yonkers on
lhe Hudson river. From Y6akers the
line runs down The Hudson, ihfsugs
lhe Harlem Ship CANA 10 Fort sio6uni
and sorose the sound trom Sands Point,
embracing the shore OF Long island,
Me entire shore line OF Manhattan Is
and, and around Staten Island
Under the old sytsem longshoremen
worked on certain docks and sections
only. They had an adverslon TO going
elsewhere, and II was a common sight
70 see hundreds Of men Idle in some
sections. while in other sections the
aumber OF stevedOres available fell far
short OF requirements.
Early In May last conferences were
neld In New York, first between the
United States Employment Service and
representatives OF the longshoremen.
The latter readily feel in with the idea
advanced-that the emergent require
ments OF the war made II necessary TO
change the old order Of things and that
henceforth men would shift from not
only one dock to another but would go
from one side OF Manhattan TO the
other, from Hoboken TO South Brook
lyn should II be found necessary, and,
as one OF the representatives suggested,
even from one port to another -
In the working out OF the details,
several conferences were held at New
York and Washington in which repre-
sentatives Of the army. navy. shipping
board. railroad administration. ship
owners, longshoremen, and the United
States Employment Service took part. /
u was agreed that the United States |
Employment Service should organize |
and direct activities, and Capt. T. " |
0'Connor, president Of the international |
LOngshoremen's Union, was selected as
director Of lOngshOremen and marine /
workers. Seven branches were estab- /
lished in New York. with the clearing /
house for the pool located in the Bowl |
ing Green Building, New York, and 4
other branches were established at Phil J
adelphia. Baltimore Norfolk, Newport /
News, Charleston, s. c., Mobile. New \
Galveston, Boston. Portland, 4
Me-, Buffalo, Seattle and Duluth, with
for a further extension !
Of the services rapidly as is needs can
be worked out.
As the system is operated, on the
Of one loading or discharge
of cargo the men are quickly shifted
10 another. this shifting being recorded
rs Z placement" The number OF such 4
placements in New York during sep
'ember numbered more than i75.f0O.
In shipping gangs OF stevedores from
me port 70 another whenever tempOr- n
Try contingency arises IL is customary
% make the exchange from between
learby ports. In some cases, however.
men have been sent from New York to
Norfolk 10 help out in an emergency.
The Employment Service likewise has
harge or the recruiting OF longshore-
men and this work Is reported TO be
ldding scores OF skilled helpers to those
lready enrolled. At the present time
3rge numbers are being recruited al
he Great Lake ports, where the ship
'ing season is coming to a close.