New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Union of Workers Employed
on Coal and Grain Craft
Gets Same Wage Scale as
in Federal Departments
Leaders Approve Action
Compromise Agreement Not
TO Affect Success of
Strike, Says Vacarelli

The Tidewater Boatmen's Union of
the striking harbor workers voted yes
terday to accept compromise propo-
sition from the private boat owners,
subject to the approval Of the Marine
Workers Affilation.
The proposition provides for scale
Of wages substantially the same as
that awarded by the federal depart
ments. The twelve-hour day, however,
accorded to the men under the juris-
diction of the railroad administration,
has been waived.
Officials of the union say the action
will have no effect on the success of
he favored the step and will recon-
mend to the afiliation that the boat
men be permitted to accept the offer
when it comes up before the central
body today.
Under the agreement the boatmen
Will get flat rate of $110 per month.
They receive at present $50 month.
1T Will affect approximately $500 en-
ployes on coal and grain boats not self
propelled. These craft, however, are
dependent on the use of tugs, which
remain tied up, because of the insist
ence of tug workers for an eight-hour
day.
As Vote to Reject Offer
The proposition was the second made
by private owners to the Tidewater
men within week, and offers SIS more
than the proposal rejected last Thurs
day The matter was brought to the
attention of the union at its head
quarters. 1914 Eleventh Avenue, at $3.50
a. IN. The boatowners' offer was sent
10 the men by I. V. O'Connor, interna-
tional president of the Longshoremen's
Association, and presented for discus
sion by John Brennan, head of the
local. 1t was accepted by vote of $50
to d5.
1t was intlmater proposal also will
be made to the Lighter Boat Captains
Association of the Port of New York
this morning. 1t is expected to contain
q better offer than was made last Fri
day.
In commenting on the effect of the
Tldewater Boatmen's action, Mr.. Della
hunty said ''The licensed men alone
the engineers, masters, mates and
pilots--can win this strike. Even if the
Tidewater Boatmen return to work on
the privately owned barges, the boats
upon which they are employed will not
be towed if they in any way injure the
strike cause"
Approved by Vacarelli
The proposition accepted by the
men at yesterdays meeting means very
little" explained F. Paul A. Vacarelli,
international vice-president of the
longshoremen. "The rate Of $110 is
what the men accepted from the rail-
roads, and they have always had the
approval of the Marine Workers Af-
filIatIon to sign any agreement they
might wish to. AS for hours, the men
who live on their boats have no hours;
they are there twenty-four hours
day, and the s1.50 a night for watch
ing or for working more than twelve
hours did not apply to them.
1t does apply to the men employed
on railroad boats whwo do not live on
them
"o, ,Connor told me some time ago
that the private boat owners were will
Ing to sign up on the conditions ap-
proved to-day. / told him to go ahead
and sign them up. His answer was
that they would not Sign unless they
we're assured they could get tugs to
1 maui the boats once they were manned.
Iney may sign now. | don't know.
o,cn it IS to be noted, however, that
OConnor's original proposition that
the men work for less than the s110 a
month was not put through"
STRIKERS 10 Move Garbage
:, Through an arrangement between
Health Commissioner Copeland and
striking oflcials,the garbage that has
been accumulating since the beginning
OF the strike will start moving out to
sea this morning.
Paul Bonyngc, consel for the Boat
tywners' Association, in statement
iaSe night, TOOK issue with the Health
Cofnrn ssioner for his criticism of tho
owners attitude on the garbage prob
lem Bonynge asserts the commission
srs charges that the boat owners re-
1used to assist the city in removing its
refuse are untrue. lie pointed out that
.no new York Towboat Exchange
wrote TO Mayor Hylan on March &,
rendering all or any part of the eauin,
ment OF its members, provided the civ
,urhished tho required engineers from