New-York tribune., 1919-01-08
.alkOut of
$4,000 Boat
Men lnpends
Marine Workers Strike
Committee To Meet This
Morning for Tie-Up Vote

general strike of the Is, zoe marine
workers in the Port of New York, with
complete tic-up of harbor industries,
is imminent The workers and boat
owners failed to come to an agreement
at the conference yesterday arranged
by the National War Labor Board
AT the conclusion Of the session
Stephen J. Condor, secretary of the
marine workers organization, declared
that the union men quit the meeting
when the boat owners refused to agree
TO submit the question Of the eight
hour day TO the arbitration committee.
The boat owners, he said, would only
consent to the arbitration of the ques-
ton of wages.
Mr. Condor announced that meet
ing of the strike committee Of the ma
rine workers has been called for 10
O'Clock this morning at 26 Park Place,
the headquarters Of the Marine En-
gineers' Association.
May Affect Dock Workers
1t had been hoped that a settlement
would be effected when it was made
plain that the government would &C
cept and enforce any wage decision OF
the War Labor Board 1t was gener-
ally believed that such action would
mean seizure and government opera
ton of boats involved, if such a dras-
tic step became necessary. The fall
ure TO reach an understanding may
bring about such proceeding.
The strike, if called, will affect tugs,
lighters, bargcs and ferryboats, and
NAV spread to me freight handlers on
the docks affiliated with the boatmen.
The National War Labor Board be
gan its public hearing in the morning
at City Hall for the purpose of reach
ing decision concerning the claims OF
marine workers for increased wages,
shorter hours and improved working
conditions
No Eight Hour Arbitration
AZ the outset the workers, as rep
resented by Thomas l.. Delahunty, pres
idcnt Of the Marine Workers. Union,
announced their Willingness to abide
by the decision of the board. An Of
fetal OF the Boat Owners Association,
however, said that that organization
was ready to submit to decision Of
the board in the matter of wages, but
not as to the hours Of labor and work
ing conditions.
Basil NJ Manley, chairman Of the
War Labor Board, then announced that
the War Department and the Secretary
ol the Navy had agreed to accept and
ugc their powers to enforce the decision
Of the board in order TO prevent paraly-
nis q business in the Port Of New
York by a strike.
Military Intervention will serve az
double edged sword" said Mr. Dol
ahunty. III the boat owners refuse
70 accept the declsion it appears that
the government viii ecize their boats
and operate them under the conditions
agreed upon by the board. II the men
refuse 10 accept the decision, United
states sailors viii man the boats.'
Boat Owners QUIT Meeting
After brief morning session, the
war Labor Board shortly before b
clock brought committee of tho
marine workers and the boat owners
together in conference. Although tho
board as body had adjourned until
~ a. m. yesterday morning, G.. f.
1ieHaeis ann J.. ~. N1chetst Two or ltH
members, joined the discussion.
When the question Of hours and con
nisiong of labor came up, the boat
cwners boltnd, refusing TO have these
matters scttled by arbitration. A
violent dispute cnaucd and tho union
men withdraw from the conference.
They retired in heated mood, issuing
The call for the meeting Of the strike
committee in the rotunda Of City Hall