New-York tribune., 1919-03-28

fused to discuss the matter last night
or to comment ON any statement that
might come from the Marine Workers
Affiliation.
"I1l let them do the talking TO-
night" he said 81 may make state
meht TO morrow. / will continue TO
look out for the interests Of tho long
shoremen."
Asked about netting Of lighter
captains which he was said to have
ordered held before 2 O'Clock this
afternoon, Mr.. O'Connor said he had
not been notified that the meeting
would be held, He acknowledged hay
ing issued instructions that one be
held.
Delaliunty Instructed to Tell
The call for the lighter captains
meeting, following the meeting of tide
water boatmen, led to proposal in
the strike committee yesterday that
O'Connor be asked to present himself.
this morning and explain what he was
trying to do. This was voted down,
and Delahunty was instructed to tell
of the tidewatcr boatmen's meeting.
eve received word last night" said
Mr.. Dcahunty, chat meeting Of the
tidewater men was being held in the
district council rooms, and that O'Con-
nor was going to present plan OF
settlement. Vacarelli, Condor and my
self went to the meeting, over which
John Brennan presided. The PROPOSE
ton submitted was that tho men re-
turn to work for $5 less a month than
they are getting from the railroads
and other interests which have signed
up and waive the question Of hours.
This would have put them back on
the twenty-four-hour day basis.
"O'Connor spoke in favor Of the
proposition. Then we had something
to say The result of secret ballot
was 173 to SO against the proposition.
Now O'Connor has ordered the
lighter captains, who are members of
his organization, to meet by 2 o'clock
TO- m OrrOW aIJernOOn.
1t was explained in O'Connor's be-
half last night that he has been trying
to help the longshoremen, who have
been thrown out of work by the strike
and by the consequent embargo
against the port of New York. 1t
is estimated that at least $4,000 have
been idle almost continuously since
the strike began nearly a month ago,
while those at work never know when
they will be layed off.
Ten-hour Compromise Rejected
The offer of ten-hour compromise
has also been rejected by the Masters,
Mates and Pilots
''There were two men in our meeting
that favored it," said Captain William
the fire escape, but they made no head
way. If the men wanted ten-hour
day it would never have been ecessary
for them to strike"
The strike committee took q num-
Der Of reporters about the harbor yes
terday on a power boat that they might
see conditions as they are The found
very little traffic other than on gov
ernment work. An outstanding feature
was an immense piles of ashes and rub
bish on scows and on piers. Such ord-
HaIlly puSy SlIelcneS OF water as New
towne Greek, Wallabout Greek and At
antic basin were almost bare of NOV
ing craft, while Gowanus Canal was
little buster
"The men saw themselves the acoutl
conditions existing" said Captain
Maher after the trip. "Of all the traf-
fc in the harbor 80 per cent is union.
The only thing that saves the port
from the greatest jam of freight ever
known is the embargo. and the order
ing of ships elsewhere
Captain h. +. Hutcheson, Of the navy
transportation service, yesterday ar.
ranged with the strikers to coal
promptly the Leviathan and number
Of other troop ships.
j.. w. Ross, Of this Intetborough,
said yesterday that all danger Of Il
coal ehott6ge has passed. The company
how has moro than an average supply,
and is In receipt OF about $500 tons n
day, or 300 tons more than norml re-
quirements,