The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-13
COMPLETE TIEUP OF ALL NEW YORK
 SUBWAY, ELEVATED, SURFACE LINES LS THREA TENED BY HARBOR STRIKE
Manager of Rapid Transit
 Lines Declares Shutdown
 Will Result Unless Coal Barges Moved at Once
By Assoeiated Press

New York, March 12,-A complete tie-up of New York city's subway, elevated and surface car lines, as well as pa ralysis of it's harbor shipping, is threatened by the strike of harbor workers, which has been in progress more than a week, it was asserted today.
 Frank Hedley. general manager of the Interborough Rapid Transit and allied lines, declared that unless coal barges are moved at once a shutdown of trans portation on Manhattan island will re- suit. Freight is piling up at piers and the movement of transatlantic and coast wise shipping has been demoralized.
 .sThe last regular delivery of coal was made to the Interborough week ago yesterday Mir. Hedley said. While we have been able to get few loads here and there, the total amount has been far from sufficient to Keep the lines running. We require about 20Oo tons a day and if we cannot get 1t in some way we will have to suspend operations until we do get it, as we cannot run without fuel"
 FEDERAL INTERVENTION ASKED
 Appeals to Washington today described the situation as "critical'' and called for federal intervention by the conman- deering of tug boats The Wholesale Coal Dealers association telegrapneo Secretary of War Baker yesterday peti- tioninx him to seize enough equipment To coal troop ships tied up here.
 while these appeals were going forward 4he situation was further complicated hy announcement by Matthews McCon- ytlle. head of the Hosting Engineers un- ion. that his organization would support the strikers if coal barges were manned by nonunion labor.
 statement by the Longeshoremen' g association said that unless the federal government intervenes 1t will be impos- sihla to load a vessel in New York haroor.
 All efforts towards a settlement of { the strike were suspended today pending return of John l.. Hughes, federal mediator. The war labor board issued statement in Washington in which II said that while it could not change or enforce the award of V. Everit Macy, it's umpire, which resulted in renewal oI the strike, it would not object to an aa- i;lstment of the controversy through tne offices of MT. Hughes even by nnooi- fication of the award.
 The Boat Owners association deciaTeu if would not meet the strikers through their union leaders, and the Marine Workers utilization flatly refused the employers suggestions for joint concii- ;ation committee to discuss grievances
 If was announced tonight that the wa, and navy departments had authorizeo Col. H. J. Kerrick, superintendent oi water transportation of the port or NOV York. to grant to the men employed on their boats the working conditions anu wages agreed upon between the ra1iroao administration and Marine WorKers ad filiation. .s,dan,
 Cant William H. Maher, vice president ,e the strikers union, declared his or rapization had authorized the rallroao administration to lease boats rom prl- vate owners provided they were operated bv ,,nion crews. He said, however lne hoat owners had declined to rent tnelf sraft +o the railroad administration Maher also asserted the union would "e.- cone communicating of boats by the gov ernment provided they were operateo uS union men under union working cohoi' lions.