The sun., 1919-10-14

EIuCtiCduy Ill VI the eggs, oysters,
fish, lobster and similar food, as well
as vegetables and other foodstuffs Of
very perishable nature, are shipped
into New York by express. This can.
not be handled by the express COM
panies because of the strike, and a
further tieup Of the harbor and 4
consequent increase in the difficulties
Of shipment and delivery rs antici-
pated to-day by the possible strike of
East River boatmen.
All attempts at a settlement of the
various strikes faIledoSesterday The
men who have been trying to reach
basis of agreement declare that they
have almost exhausted every means
of appeal.
Express Embargo Here.
All express service to and from New
York was suspended yesterday by the
strike Of 1900 express drivers and
platform men, which. coupled with the
harbor tieup. left the city in a state
resembling a siege.
The following order was sent to
every express agent in the United
States by Robert z. NJ Cowie, vice
president of the American Railway
Express Company, as soon as 1t was
certain no goods could be delivered:
"On account of the strike of vehicle
| and platform men in New York city
you will Immediately embargo all busi-
ness Of every name and nature for
! Greater New York"
During the day quantities of ship
ments. including many tons of perish
| able food arrived at the railway ter
minals here and in New Jersey. and were
piled high on the station platform Ship
ments will continue to arrive for several
days, Mr.. Cowie said. as thousands Of
carloads of goods consigned to New
York were on the road when the embargo
order was Issued.
Owing to the strike of ferry and tug
boat men shippers have turned to the
express company for service. and the
traffic was heavier than normal at tho
time OF suspension.
Much of this freight is food, such as
eggs, butter. fruit. vegetables oysters.
Holsters, poultry and sea food which
comes regularly to the city by express
from all parts OF the country.
Every possible effort will be made to
preserve these food products" Mr.. Cowie
said. I'VE will notify the consignees to
call for their goods. What cannot be,
delivered will be shipped elsewhere and
marketed. IL possible II not the perish
able stuff will have to be dumped"
He was asked If the express company
will try to break the strike. "I cannot
say what our plans will be-" he replied.
To-day Is a holiday and conditions are
not normal; tomorrow we shall know
better how to meet the situation"
No Effort to Break strike.
No effort was made yesterday to make
deliveries and there was no call for po-
lice protection, as the strike proceeded in
an orderly manner. The railroad depots
were picketed by members OF the strikers
union, No. 645, International Brother
hood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs and
Helpers.
Employees In Jersey City Joined the
express strike at midnight. About 500
| employees are affected.
The expressmen are striking for set
tlement of demands made five months
ago and which are under consideration
by the wage board OF the United states
Railroad Administration. Mr. Cowie
said the same conditions apply TO $4,000
employees throughout the country. but he
did not know whether the strike would
spread outside OF the metropolitan dis
trict.
He was In communication with Walker
D. Hines Director-Genersl of the Rail-
road Administration. by telephone yes
terday Mr.. Hines, at the request OF
Gov. Smith. had promised to see the
wage board and expedite the settlement
but late last night no decision had beer
, announced.
Gov. Smith telegrsphed again yestsr
day renewing his request for in,nsdiat'