New-York tribune., 1919-04-30
Crews at All Terminals
i'm Manhattan and on
Jersey Shore Strike in
a Dispute Over Hours
Milk Handlers
To Stay at Work
Allied Unions Declared
To Be Ready to Join in
Move to Tie Up Harbor

Freight handlers employed on all
railroad piers of Manhattan and the
New Jersey shore voted unanimously
last night to go on strike at 6 o'clock
this morning. More than 10000 men
will be affected by the order
The vote was taken at mass meeting
of the Freight Handlers Union, No.
976, International Longshoremen's AS
sociation, held at st. Columbia Hail.
335 West Twenty-ffth Street. The en-
tire difficulty centres on the demand
of the men for a fixed starting hour
for work.
Immediately after the strike vote was
taken messengers were sent to every
railroad pier involved to order all
night crews to stop work at once. The
only exception made to the order is in
favor Of those who handle the citys
supply of milk.
There was some dispute during the
mass meeting as to excepting milk
handlers. 1t was finally decided by
rising vote to permit them to handle
what might be determined to be an es-
sential amount of milk for the city's
needs.
Violation of Agreement Charged
The freight handlers troubles date
back several months. The present
cause of dispute, however, has arisen
since the big strike in January last
When the strike was settled at that
time, the freight handlers claim it
starting time. at all piers The men
ask to work from 8 o'clock in the
morning until o'clock in the after
noon.
According to F. Paul A. Vaccarell,
international vice-president of the
Longshoremen's League and president
of the local union, who presided at
last nights meeting, the New York
Central Railroad began to violate that
agreement almost as soon as it was
made.
A strike was called among the freight
handlers at the New York Central
Railroad piers some time ago and they
have been out for some weeks. The
decision OF last night makes the strike
general.
New Jersey Men Active
One notable feature of the meeting
was the cooperation of the freight
handlers from New Jersey. In the
January strike they played only a
passive part. Last night, however,
they were most active and speeches
were made by representatives of long
shoremen all the way from Communi-
paw to Haverstraw
In an address before the strike vote
was taken. President Vaccarelli de-
clared the decision had been forced by
the representatives of the railroad. He
said he had tried for days to reach A.
H. Smith, Regional Director of Rail
roads, and secure some settlement Of
the question.
It was not until yesterday, Mr. Vacca-
relll said, that he was able to get any
response from Mr.. Smith And then, it
was only In the form of a lettcr in
which the regional director declared
'oe question was not open to dispute
Vote Reported Unanimous
AS soon as Director Smiths letter
was read to the men call for a vote
was made from all parts of the hall.
tnose IN favor Of going or strike imme-
uiately to stand. The vote, it was an
nounced, was unanimous.
1t was said many of the unions Of
the international Federation of Labor.
who were more or less with the long
shoremen, had promised, if they were
needed, to go on strike
~ uS4egdCloH OF the lOngShOremcn
headed by Mr.. VaccarelH will wait
on Mayor Hylan this morning and law
before him the causes leading to the
strike. The Mayor will be asked to
urge the Railroad Administration TO
meet with the strikers at once and set
tie the dispute.
Freight Congestion Likely.
The strike of the freight handlers
brings New York face to face with con-
ditions ftnost Identical to those which
existed bring the strike in January
las.. AT that time it was necessary to
declare an embargo on all freight com
ing into the city, except such as could
be handled in -arload lots. That EN-.
barge, incidentally, never has been en-
tirely lifted.
Congestion Of all freight terminals
wiii follow, if the strike continue for "A
period Of only a few hours. The first
effects from the strike will be felt in
the matter of perishable goods.
The loss to New York as a result
Of the January strike was placed at
several millions. The present strike,
labor leaders declare, will result in a
more complete tie-up Of freight than
ever before