New-York tribune., 1919-07-12
S.TakesHand
In an Effort to
End Ship Strike
Threat of General Tie-Up
B rings Officials to
Confer With Men and
Owners This Afternoon
Walkout Is Spreading
Boats Held Up as Far South
as New Orleans and Score
Are Held at Piers Here

L >
In an effort to head off a general
strike of all seamens unions, Vice
Chairman R. B. Stevens and a number
of lesser officials of the United States
Shipping Board will arrive in New
York this afternoon to confer with
representatives of the private ship
owners and the unions.
Meantime the strike begun on
Thursday by the marine fireman, oilers
and water tenders and followed by the
striking of men before the mast is
spreading. Reports from various ports
last night showed vessels tied up as
far south as New Orleans. Locally
it is estimated that upward of score
OF vessels are at their piers because
of the strike.
The announcement that the shipping
board officials would come here fol-
lowed the sending of an ultimatum to
that body by William S. Brown, inter-
national president of the Marine En-
glneers' Benevolent Association, that
general strike of engineers would be
ordered If the shipping board stands
by the American Steamship Association
IN Its refusal to give preference to
American and union seamcn over nom
union aliens and to grant the wage
increases requested.
No Time Limit Set
Mr.. Brown set no time for the strike
|
From the fact that after issuing it he
planned to leave for the general Of
fees of the association in Buffalo.
promising to return here on Monday,
those in touch with the situation as
sumed that action will follow early
next week.
This decision of the engineers to
take action came after a Conference
with John A. Pruitt, chief of the mas
ters, mates and pilots. These, it is
understood, will follow the engineers.
-, speaking Tor his own organization
Mr.. Brown said that everything de-
pends on the outcome of the confer
ences between representatives of the
United States Shipping Board and the
several unions.
H. H. Raymond, speaking for the
American Steamship Association, de-
clared yesterday that the question in
issue is the closed shop and that his
organization would not discuss it with
anybody.
No Figures Given Here
Locally the strike spread slowly yes
terday, with neither side to the con-
troversy in position to quote figures
In the Offices of the international Sea-
mems Union, 81 South Street, the sec
retary in charge said he did not know
how many men were out and that
there was no way of telling.
"We do know that a considerable
number Of ships are being held here
and in other ports" he said. "Others
which are not yet ready to sail and
won't be for some days have crews on
board. These will quit when the time
to sail comes. What all are waiting
for is the outcome of the conference
in Washington"
Corporation, operating thirty-tive ships
IN the transatlantic trade, had, it was
said IN this office, agreed to the terms
demanded by the union, Of a SIS a
month increase in wages and the es-
tabllshment of the three-watch system
BY this the men will work eight hours
day instead of twelve under the dou-
ble-watch system now in vogue.
MARKING time" was the way the fire
situation.
Will Know by Monday
"a strike like this" said he, "is like
ship-it is usually slow in getting
under way. 1t is spreading. By Monday
we Will know pretty near wnere we are
at in the way of figures. Here, until
we hear from Washington, we are de-
clining to sign up any contracts with
shlpowners. We have had offers TO
sign up, but until we get our orders
from Washington, where the chief Off
GERS now are, we will sign nothing"
Contrary to published reports, these
men denied that any attempt was being
made to involve the seamen on British
ships in the strike. No appeal has vet vet
been made to the Seaman and Fire
mans Union of Great Britain, which
controls the men on the English lines
and the vessels Of the International
Mercantile Marine Company. Whether
one would be made they said was
doubtful.
Would Affect II 900
Before leaving for Buffalo Mr.. Brown
said strike order would affect II 900
of his members
Everything depends on the confer
ences," said he. "The necessary au-
thority to order the strike has been
voted by the men who are now in
sisting on action, and it seems as
though the ship owners who make up
the membership of the American
Steamship Association are determined
that there shall be action. They are,
in word, looking for trouble
"Our men insist on preference for
Americans first and union men sec
ond. They ask an increase of S35 a
month for engineers below the rank
of chief, which will make the wages,
depending on rank and size of ship.
run from $17O a month to S276.e5 for
assistants. For chiefs whose present
ratings call for from $500 to 1915 a
month we ask an increase of $3.50
month, this to equaize the salary
of chief engineers and masters. In
return we waive the right to overtime
pay for assistants
The ship owners refuse all. rref-
orcnces whether Fer Americans or
union men and offer Aat increase OF
10 per cent
'lf the men so out, and it begins
to look as though they would have to.
it is very doubtful if they will be will
ing to 60 back for what they are now
asking"