The sun., 1919-02-27
GREAT HARBOR
TIEUP EXPECTED
HERE IN A WEEK
Unions in Mood to Fight to
Finish Regardless of
Consequences.
WILL HOLD REFERENDUM
Marine Affiliation to Get ver-
dict Of Workers by Noon
Tomorrow.
WILL HOLD REFERENDUM

fhe most serious labor difficulty in the
ctys history threatens as a sequel to
the findings of the National War Labor
Board in the controversy between the
New York harbor workers and their
employers. There is a strong probabil-
'ty that within week the port will be
led up completely by a general marine
strike order. recognizing no exceptions
ana hardly susceptible to settlement by
ordinary means. because the constituted
rourt Of last resort in labor matters, the
National War Labor Board, has passed
rpon the dispute and rendered a de-
'sion that it hardly can reconsider.
II the strike Is declared, as now seems
probable, and an appeal made to Presi-
dent Wilson, he cannot heed 1t without
overthrowing the instrumentality he
Himself set up as the supreme court of
arbitration in labor matters. In such
an eventualty nothing except a back
down by the labor men could save the
situation. and there were indications yes
terday that the unions were in a mood
10 hght to the finish regardless of the
consequences.
-. ., ',
"'""e ioi 'he ha1i
'o1o" nhu'V'ouaI unions involved, there
vas great ehcitemeht. ofncers OF the
ANIMATION at frst refused to accept as
suthentic the reports OF the awards of
v Everit Macy. the umpire. as printed
in the morning papers. and kept the
wires to Washington hot for several
hours with requests for the Official text
VI 'he nhoihss'
"
Meantime Paul Bonynge, counsel for
tho boat owners having receivod an ofB.
cial COPY of the findings did his on
ponents tba cour,es, ., ho,jno .,an.o-,,
,ior. ado - .,..,' -,
"S I'Iaue anu eoi'i''u''ioa'eu '''roueh
"e~sPaperinen 10 the union leaders VINO
we're anxlously waiting at the Marine
Upon reoeipt OF the ofHcial fnd,nes the
oficers OF the Marine Affilation. pos
s,ssing the power TO act for all the
gnions involved. went into secret session
for sevsral hou-s A, tho co,o,us;on
a., ,,.ii,. 49,.
-. ~ "eau Va t"e
MULES anu riIo.s Association
'rI leadlng ngure or the affiliation,
said that the affiliation had decided to
refer the question back In the individual
urlons.
Frankly, we did not dare to do other
wise" said Maher. I'VE have the power
10 DO what we think should be done. but
We didn't dare to take the responsibility
for such a step without calling a full
referendum of the individual unions.
Each union will meet tonight or to-mor-
row and vote upon a recommendation
uede hv .be Marine AnIi,t;on Tach
will report back to the affiliation at a
Teeting to be held Friday morning. and
the result ought 10 be known Friday
noon"
Capt Maher refused to say what the
recommendation of the afiliation had
been or 10 discuss tho possibility OF a
strike, hut he bitterly denounced the Ma
iional War Labor Board, and particu-
larry its chairman, William Howard Taft
Boat Owners Jubt1ant.
While tho labor loadars vere ipd,p-
rartly discussing that tbe,, franl,1,, ad-
Ini,ted was an ivnop,inio,,. da,sat tha
initiation ~ tbe hoat ounsrs over the
turn affairs had ,aLer vos ,Il-concsa1.d
although thew nroYeasad dissatisfac,Ion
dav time ana haII o,or,in,a ia do,,bio
sunday and holiday pay in Mr.. Macys
awards,
- take it.-said Paul Bonynge, who
,onduoted the Ease for the Doal owners.
that this eight hour day award is a
r'oommendation TO the Divine Provi-
oence to make the tides work in eight
holr shifts instead of twelve, as they
now do. How anybody In the least IA
m'liar with tidal conditions can figure
inc eight hour day pTactica BILE | don't
Know
The associations of boat owners af-
'''ted will hold joint meeting tonight
"""'N' ~ 20 o i''NbO'N Soh-