The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-07
NEW OFFER TO
PORT STRIKERS
Proposal by Railroad Admins
tratiOn Grants 1 to Is Per
Cent. Increase.
EXTENDS EIGHT HOUR DAY
Believed to Furnish Basis for
SettlemeLt-Unions to
Answer To-day.
EXTENDS EIGHT HOUR DAY

The first real progress toward set
tiement OF the New York harbor strike
was made last night, when the Rail-
road Administration submitted to the
officers OF the Marine Afiliation a
proposition which was compromise
between the terms OF the Macy award,
which the unions rejected. and the de-
mands of the 5000 strikers.
Although President Thomas l.. Della
hunty said the proposal of the Rail
road Administration was unsatisfac-
tory IL was accepted as a basis of ne
gotiations. The strikers committee
of thirty-five went into executive ses-
sion to consider the details OF the pro-
posal, and President Delahunty said a
formal reply would be given this
morning to James L. Hughes, the Fed
eral mediator, through whom 1t vas
offered.
Mr.. Delahunty said counter pro-
posal undoubtedly would be made, as
there was no chance. he declared, Of
the Hughes proposal being adopted in
Its present form.
Grants Wage Increase.
The proposal made by the Railroad
Administration provides for increases In
wages UP to IL per cent. and also ex-
tends the eight hour day to certain
classes OF workers to whom the War
Labor Board umpire did not award il,
It was said at the headquarters of the
affiliation.
The wage increases are graded accord
Ing to the numerous occupations OF the
| harbor workers and in some cases. ac-
| cording to the union men, the Increase
is only per cent. The representatives
OF the Railroad Administration declined
to make the text OF the proposal public
until the Marine Affilistion has made a
reply.
1t was said. however. that the sched-
ule offers an eight-hour day TO the cap
tains, pilots. mates, engineers, deck
hands and cooks on the self-propelled d
boats, Including ferries, tugs and tow
boats. II gives quartermasters Sl05 in
stead OF sl04 a month. coal and grain
boatmen an increase from 800 TO $40
a month. and hoistlng engineers from
| $40 10 $3.50 month. The latter have
been receiving $3.50 and s. a day and
are demanding SIS day. The hosting
engineers and the lightermen, under the
new proposal. would receive a 10 hour
day and the tidewater poatmen l2 hour
day.
willing to Take IL Hour Day.
The latter. through their president
John Brennan, went on record at the
National War Labor Board hearing as
being willing TO accept a IL hour day.
MIR. Delahunty said last night tina,
the strikers would invite a committee OF
private owners who have not been a
party to the Hughes negotiations, to a
conference to-day OF all the parties con-
cerned. Delahunty made II clear, how
ever. that the union men would not per
nit Paul Bonynge, counsel for the pri
vate owners. to participate. because OF
his characterization OF the strike a,
'the product OF red eyed and unreason
ing Bolshevism."
The private owners took no actor
yesterday and Mr. Bonynge declined I,
say last night whether they would ac
cept Mr. Delshunty's invitation. Il II
. considered likely, however that the,
will be represented at the meeting.
Break Relieved Near.
4. II Stone, the Railroad Administra
tion representative, and Mr.. Hughes, tn
Federal conciliator, both were con
fdent last night that a break was near
The officials OF the Marine Affiiatio,
also expressed satisfaction with tn
situation.
Harbor traffic remained virtually at
charged soldiers. sailors aa1 marLaa
were engaged by the members OF tn
New York Towboat Exchange at a.
employment office at the exchange head
quarters. / Broadway. but Il was state
that they were TO be employed a. watch
, men and guards and not as strik
breakers. Capt, H. y. Purdy. who wa
. in charge OF the Office said the owner
, were compelled to protect their boa
under the terms OF their insurance con
tracts,
The situation as regards the ferrie
was unchanged yesterday. The State
Island ferries were still in operation, a
we're the ferries from the Battery an
\ Twenty-third street to Brooklyn. TIL
IackawanHa ferries, which are manne
| noR-union workers. also were running
| II was stated at the headquarters OF tn
| Marine Aftiliation that the employees c
the Lackawanna lines would join III
strikers to-day, but at the Lackawann
Offices this was denied.
Three Miles of Docks Idle.
II The towing concerns have made no a
tempt thus far to break the strike, hi
II was said Yesterday that several owr
| ers who are qualified pilots and engineer
| ' il, undertake to-day TO move merChaI
disc from Brooklyn to the mainland an
| Jersey.
/ Brig Gen. Frank T, Hines. Directo,
| General of Embarkaton and Debarks
tion for the United States Army, wi
meet a delegation of union men tn
morning in his Office. As Broadway. an
| endeavor n arrange a settlement wit