New-York tribune., 1919-03-15
IA More Firms
Sign Agreement
In Port Strike
20 Per Cent OF Men Who
Quit Are Back at Work,
Says Leader Of Unions
u. S. Still Needs Boats
Conference of Federal Me-
diator With Owners Fails
to Produce Any Results

Thomas L.. Delahunty, president of
the Marine Workers Affiliation, an
nounced last night that fourteen addi-
tional firms and corporations operat-
ing small boats in New York Harbor
had agreed to the demands of the
strikers. With these accessions, Mr..
Delahunty declared, 70 per cent of the
men who struck had obtained their de-
mands.
The Cunarder Mauretania, which it
was feared would have to take on
bunker coal in Halifax, was loaded by
union men yesterday and sailed for
Southampton. The loading was under
the direction Of the transport service,
which is using the liner to bring troops
home. The Chicago, Of the French
Line, is still delayed, but probably will
sail Sunday.
Aside from a brief statement from
Paul Bonynge, counsel for the several
boat owners associations, in which he
challenged the right Of the government
to seize boats for other than strictly
government purposes, nothing was
Forthcoming from the employers side
Their committee was in conference
with Mediator James l.. Hughes large
part of the afternoon, but no progress
was reported.
AS they were leaving the lawyers
Club, where the conference was held,
Mr.. Hughes declared: zone word from
Mr.. Bonynge here and the strike is
settled"
"Yes,' said the lawyer, "but that
word is surrender"
Mr.. Hughes went from the confer
ence to the Army and Navy Building,
where he conferrcds with representa-
tivcs of the army, navy and United
States Shipping Board.
Will Get All Boats Needed
"There is no doubt" he said, "that
the government will get all the boats
it needs or wants."
"Including Kelly's boats?" he was
asked.
Better ask Captain Hutchcson," he
replied.
eve have not sent for the Kelly
boats yet" said the navy representa-
tive, "but guess the government can
get Kelly's boats any time it wishes
them"
The Kelly boats are the twenty
scows of the McLane Transportation
Line which j. J. Kelly, who controls
the company, agreed to allow the gov
ernment to have on charter and later
reported to the boat owners commit
tee that he had been dragooned into
agreeing to the charter, his statement
Messrs. Moran, Glatzmayer and Lee,
that Soldiers, Sailors and Work
mems Council had been formed in the
army and navy building for the in
timidation Of boat owners.
Have you all the boats you now
need?" Captain Hutcheson was asked,
NO." he replied. eve could use
more, but we are waiting to see which
way the cat will jump"
Hughes Still An Optimist
This delay, it was explained later,
is at the request of Mr.. Hughes, who
persists in the hope that he will yet
succeed in bringing the boat owners
and strikers to an agreement
The operators VINO, in addition to
those previously announced as having
signed the union contracts have now
approved its terms, are:
Johnson Lighterage Company, Trem-
ly Oil Company, l.. L. Moore Co.,
MoIse stave company' p..ds F. j. Barton
rner;nr Couronv Shorlos pa;,.+nno
Company, Olsen Iron Works. Wilson
Welding and Repairing Company,
American Fuel and Shipping Company,
Carter & Weeks Stevedore Company,
New Jersey Shipbuilding and Dredg-
ing Company, Coastwise Lumber Sup
ply Company and the New England
Navigation Company.
The Johnson Lighteragc Company,
operating five tugs and steam light
ers and twenty non-self-propellers, is
one of the largest lighterage concerns
in the harbor. The New England Nav
igation Company, a subsidiary Of the
New Haven Railroad, is the last of
the companies under the jurisdiction
of the railroad administration to set
tie;
"With these people. in line" said Mr..
Delahunty, "70 per cent of the strikers
have returned to work. This leaves
only question of time before the
others will be in line. 1t will not,
think, be necessary for US to play any
Of the cards we have had in reserve
or bring any more pressure to bear.
"Thc regrettable feature of the
obstnacy of the boat owners in keeping
the strike going is that business is being
diverted to other ports. Some of that
may not come back. You know Boston
and other ports have been making big
improvements in late years, while here
in New York we have been standing
still"
"Can you pull men out in Boston and
elsewhere against freight so diverted? ?"
he was asked.
ain minute" he said, "but 1t won't
be necessary"
On account of threats made against