Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-01-11

New York, Jan. 10.-No hope of an
early settlement of the strike which
has paralyZed the port of New York
for two days was apparent toniSht.
Leaders OF the 5000 workers on tugs,
liehters and ferryboats declared en-
phatically that they were prepared
for a finish fight. Their employers,
members of the New York Boat Ow2-
ers Association, we're equally empha-
tic in their assertion that they never
would yield to the demand for an eight
hour day.
The visit to the city late today OF
Secretary CT War Baker led to the
hope that his influence might result
iH an adjustment but the hope was
snort-lived. When the secretary lett
tonight fOT Ottawa, where he will
speak tomorrow night, he had given
TO intimation that the war depart
1uent would taAe a hand in the con-
troversy. On the contrary. he said
the strike had not resulted III serious
embarrassment to the war department.
Beturning troops are being debarked
without delay. he stated, and there has
been no Interruption to the flow of
supplies to the army overseas. EuouaJ
navy tugs are available for this work
Mr.. Baker said.
Asked if the government intended tt
commander the boats in the harbor
Secretary Baker replied;
81 don't know. All 1 can speak foi
is the army"
Mr.. Baker said that so far as ile
knew no reply had been received from
PRESIDENT Wilson to the cable mes.
SJge sent him by Secretary of Labor
Wilson calling his attention to the
strike and the serious situation re-
suIung from it,
No one could be found here wh1
Y ouid speak officially for the navy de-
partment: but privately officers sta
toned here did not hesitate to declare
there was no immediate probability of
roats being seized and mannni by
navy crews SO long rs government
business was not seriously affected by
the strike
a. II. Smith, regional director Of
r1ilroads, apparently has failed in his
effort 10 arrange an a-mistice of from
4 TO 70 hours in the belief that if
oreratiorS we're resumed the differ
cnces could be composed by eoncilid-
ton. No reply has been received by
Mr.. Smith to a letter sent by him to
leaders of the various unions whose
members are on strike. The strike
committee announced earlier in the
day, however, that they woGld not
agree IC an arTnlSLlCe.
The most serious development of
the day was the decision OF the strike
committee to revoke all the exemp-
tons they had made and thus tie up
the harbor completely. This action
called out men employed on fire
beats and those running to Islands on
which are located various city chari-
table and reformatory institutions The
action was taken after a halting fer
ryboat service mad been established
with Staten Island by a ferrybcat
manned by employees of the police de-
partment.
Let the police run these other
boats as they have attempted to on
crate the Staten Island ferrybcats,'
said Tmomas l.. Delahunty, president
O. the Marine Workers Affiliation.
After Mayor Hylan had been in
formed that the strikers had with
drawn their exemptions he sent a let.
ter to District Attorney Swarm asking
him TO bring the situation to the at
tention of the grand jury. The mayor
said in his letter that # employees c
FIRE boats and those operated by thu
departments of charities and correc
ton go on strike they will violate thei1
public duty and be guilty of n misde
n7eanor. The same charge could b.
preferred, he said, against the strik'
leaders.
Police reserves are being held il
readiness for any emergency at sta
ton houses throughout the city, al
though there has been no disorde
thus far.
Paul Bonynge. counsel for the Boa
Owners Association, said that organi
zation was eager to adjust the differ
euces Thrush a conciliation boart
sl4 hot 81 II
IrOpositiGi was made yesterday bu
was spurned by the strikers, VIII
characterized it as merely a "welfar
proposition"
There was no actual shortage toda
Cf either food or coal because Of III
strike, but it was realized by all tn
interests which are attempting 70 ar
range settlement that the situatio
presents menacing possibilities If h
strike Continued more than few day
tho city will he confronted with a ia
mine Of both food and fuel.
The coal question probably is tn
rlost serious. The fuel supplies CT a
the companies operating traction line
are brought on lighters TO powe
houses and the reserve stocks o
hand are sufficient 10 continue opera
tions Cnlr "A few days. Unless tn
strike is speedily ended it will resu
in complete paralysis Of subway ele
waited and surface line.s fer all tn
coal on hand will be required for heat
ing purposes.
Re-routiu2 nv tho railroad admins
fra tion of foodstufIS 90 that as muc
as possible can be brought into tn
city over the New York Central is be
1ieved to have eliminated danger of
serious food shortage for the inme
diate future, although there NAV be
lack OF certai. aoumCdities. Vegeta
bles from the rr.at Long Island maj
lets are being brought to Manhatta
through tho Pe-0=yf f7auia railroa
tunnel and acrosf She bridges on me
tor trucks.
Food which ordinarily reaches tr
city by way OF ferries from Now lei
sey railroad terminals is being hu,
ried north by rail on tho West Shnl
Railroad and transferred By wa
OF Albany to the New Yor
Central, which brings 1t to r@is cit
The frc<-ilt schedules of the Ne
York Central have been entirely 7,
arranged 10 meet the. emergency
Twenty six ocean going ships Wei
tied up tonight for lack of lighters
handle their cargo. and tugs to g
them cut " their herths.