The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-22
The
Harbor Strike

New York. March 2and
To Our Customers:
GU have suffered so much inconvenience and loss
in consequence Of the present harbor strike that an
explanation of position seems due you. The
details Of the controversy probably sufficiently
familiar to you to render any extended statement Of
them unnecessary
After the demands of Our men had been agitated
for some six weeks President Wilson, early in jan
uary, cabled the National War Labor Board to in
tervene and said:
az am sure that the War Navy Departments the
Shipping Board and the Railroad Administration and
any other Government agencies interested in the con-
troversy will all the which they possess make
your findings effective"
In response to this direction the War and Navy
Departments. the Shipping Board and the Railroad
Administration submitted the jurisdiction of the
National War Labor Board and agreed to be bound by
its award. The Board thereupon proceeded to try
the and some 2Ioo pages Of testimony
taken The deliberations Of the Board resulted in
the socailed Macy Award
The private boat owners were prepared and offered
to adopt and abide by the Macy Award The several
departments of the u. S. Government which were
committed to that award proceeded at once, and
without any attempt at explanation or justification
of their course, set it at naught. The solemn
promise of the President Of the United States that the
arbitration of the National War Labor Board would
be upheld still remains unfu6lled
Our Principles
We are holding ground single handed and
alone, for the maintenance of these principles:
FIRST: Touphod the contention that arbitra
ton award is not mere scrap of paper, to be lightly
thrown aside for political or other purposes
SECOND: To maintain port charges at such
level that the supremacy Of New York will not be
destroyed by the diversion Of her elsewhere
THIRD: To establish with employees per-
manent board. with equal representation to employer
and employee, to do away with future controversies
Of similar character.
Our Unity ...
At the outset of this controversy, 233 concerns,
owning operating practically all of the privately
held marine harbor equipment in this port, deter
mined to resist to the uttermost the demand for
fictitious eight-hour day-a demand declared i'm
practicable in the operation OF harbor equipment by
Umpire Macy and by the National War Labor Board.
Since the Governments surrender to the demands of
the strikers, four of our former associates controlling
less than 20 Of the privately owned floating equip
ment in this harbor, have acceded to the union
demands. The remaining 229 concerns owning
than 1870, determined to resist to the end
Our Plan
Repeated overtures have been made to our men,
We have offered them an immediate and substantial
wage increase. We have offered to make such read
ustment Of their hours of service and working con-
ditions the commerce of the port would permit
We have invited them to join with us in the creation
of joint board, a ffty-hfty basis, to settle all
present and future disputes. Individually the men
acknowledge the fairness of these proposals and state
that they desire accept them but that their union
leaders will not permit them to do so. We have now
waited for than weeks for men to see the
light OF reason and to abandon incompetent leader
ship. The commerce OF the port cannot wait longer
upon their decision From this time forward our
efforts will be fully co-ordinated in manning and
operating the largest possible number of vessels At
the outset efforts will be directed primarily at
the movement of coal and foodstuhs. They will be
expanded rapidly conditions will permit in
order that other urgent business demands may be
met. We are confident that rie scope and efficiency
Of the service will increase from day to day.
Our REGARD
fight for principle is usually costly and thankless
We would have been glad to avoid it if that had been
possible. Now that committed to it, il il
gratifying to feel that has commanded
your commentator and approval. In these trying
days heartened by the ringing words on this
situation addressed to Washington by your Mer-
chants Association nj
by whomever sanctioned, such condonement of the
violation OF an arbitrator's award is repehenbe il 10
douby harmful when sanctioned by Governmental au-
thory. for is then antamount notice that the
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