The sun., 1919-01-18
TUG OWNERS GOUGE
U.S., WALSH CHARGE
Rates Raised 400 Per Cent,
With Coaling Done on Gov
eminent Time, He Says.
NEAR FIGHT AT HEARING
Marine Workers Official Be-
comes Excited Over Effort
to "Get His Goat"

Charges Of profteerlng. injected yes
terday by Frank p. Walsh into the War
Labor Board hearing on the demands OF
marine workers for increased wages.
threaten to prolong the proceedings.
Assertion by Mr.. Walsh. who Is coun-
sci for the marine workers. that after
the outbreak Of the war the boat owners
boosted prices several hundred per cent.
v4il be met by the boat owners with ex-
tensive evidence to show that the actual
cost OF operating during the last year
and half has been proportionate with
the raise In rates.
The session developed considerable
pickering and actually accomplished lit
tie. At one time II nearly precipitated
fsticuffs between a wTness for the
workers and counsel for the boat own
ers. and frequently the gallery OF the
Board of Estimate chamber. where the
hearing was held. applauded so much
that the board warned these men the
proceedings would be private II there
was any more OF II.
workers was Capt. William A. Maher.
who as manager OF the union OF mates
and pilots. received $50 a week His
crediblity was attacked by Paul A.
Bonynge. lawyer for the boat owners,
who produced affidavits from the Hud-
son County Criminal Court to show that
Maher was twice convicted Of election
frauds, once in March. 1914, and again
. two years later.
Evidence Ruled Out.
The affldavits showed he was fined
$500 and sentenced to prison for year
and half. The board ruled out the
evidence when Capt. Maher refused to
affirm the truth of IT,
Capt. Maher was asked about letter
published in the New York American
which Mayor Hylan had written TO Err
nest Bohm, credlting the Mayor with
charging this statement against Maher
II Will not consent TO any change in
strike policy. I do not care how much
| suffering or inconvenience may come to
anybody. The more hardship inflicted
the better chance we will have to win"
Mr.. Walsh interposed to ask tina. Mayor
Hylan be called, but Maher spoke UP
| and said:
II never said anything Ike that. That
| was written to suit the gentleman who
| gave II out 1t was twisted to suit him"
Mr.. Walsh then started to prove what
| he claimed to be "a terrible case OF
profteering on the part OF the boat
| owners against the United States Gov
eminent"
Maher testified that the rates of tow
| ing from Hoboken TO 1920 street had
jumped from SC before the war to $50.
| Many OF the boat owners served and
! soma are still serving on the shipping
| control committee without severIng their
| connection with ship companies.
| "Conl Up" on Uncle sam.
An order from the Moran Towing
| Company was introduced. 1t instructed
captains Of tugs doing Government and
! private work to be sure TO get coal and
1 water on Government time.
Maher said there were s23 Instances
| where owners of boats tried to cheat
| their employees out OF wages. and that
| these complaints were adjusted.
| Mr.. Bonynge asked him how he pur-
posed to arrange matters so the boat
owners would still be solvent and pay
the proposed increases. He replied that
he had never given that thought
| Firemen and deckhands live on the
boats Malier added, because they dom;
| earn wages enough to maintain a home
| on SnoTe. Inc master pllots. ne
| now receive from $3.50 to sl79 month
and are demanding SEAS The demands
OF the others are in proportion. with a
straight eight hour day.
The witness became irrttated at Coun-
| sci Bonynge's persistent questions. and
| finally rose from the witness chair and
excitediy shouted: 'If you're trying to
get my goat I want to say right now.
Mr.. Bonynse, that you can't do IL"
| In another wrangie between counsel
and witness Mr.. Walsh addressed the
board:
'If there is another exhibition OF this
kind we will withdraw this witness until
! the other side produces counsel that will
| not insult witnesses"
The union leaders sought in the morn
| ing 10 prove the high cost OF living for
boatmen through Emil Richards o: 5o7
Baltic avenue. Brooflyn. who has wife
and six children. His rent costs him IS
| a week for four rooms and no bath.
Breakfast for the Richards family. con-
sisting OF rolls and buns. two quarts Of
milk. cereals. butter. condensed milk,
sugar and coffee, totals 81. Meat for the
| Richards lunch Is $40 a day. with po-
| tatoes. bread, vegetables. butter. tea and
| milk. bringing II up to s1.95. The total
cost Of supper is Sl.73, 40 that usually
the Richards family spends s+.6s Tor
meals every day except Sunday. when
| the meat bill Is $3.50.
IT don't think the children get enough
nourrhment at that" Richards added.
| They should have more and better
milk l can't afford to take them to the
movies except on rare occasions The
! cost OF food clothes, fuel and household
necessities amounts to $4,000 a year he
declared Richards Is business agent for
a trade union.
The hearing will continue to-day I'M
I'll l 80 O'Clock and then adjourn until
| Monday,
STAGE GIRLS STRANDED.