Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-01-11
GOV. EDGE PLACES THE
BLAME ON BOAT OWNERS

Washington, Jan. 10.-Further gov
ernmeut action to end the strike of
marine workers which has tied up
shipping in New York harhcr await
ed word tonight from President VII
son in Paris.
Urgent reports on the situation,
suggesting that the president take ac-
ton to prevent possible fanlne in tne
city and disoTganization Of export
movement to tn army overseas, wer3
sent to him by the department of Ii
Dor and the executive off ,es of the
White House, after government rep
resentatives III New York had failed
n efforts to compose the differences
between the boat owners and their
employees. 1t was said that the pres
idents personal influence with tie
workers was counted on TO nduct re
sumption Of work pending a settle
ment of the questions at issue.
Secretary Wilson and Hugh L. Ker-
win, chief of the division Of concil-
alton of the department of ,a6or were
in close touch all day win department
representatives at the scene of the
strike. A new plan Of action was
said to be under cons;jpra ton, but
its nature was not disclosed
Blame for The present crisis was
placed on the boat owners by the War
Labor Board in telegram to Gov
ernor Edge of New Jersey, replyin" 70
his request that the board make an
other effort to adjust mItters. Basil
NJ. Manly, joint chairman of The board,
! asserted that the marine workers have
offered to arbitrate, but that the boat
| owners consistently refused and had
abrogated their agreement, thus pIaa-
| ing themselves in an ''untcnable post
! ton"
| The telegram follows:
| Greatly regret that the National
! War Labor Board cannot under ex-
| isting powers proceed further in adj
iustment of New York har5or situa
! ton without submission of both pat
| ties to controversy. The marine worl =
ers offer to submit the case 70 the Ma
! tional War Board or % any ottei
| equitable form of arbitration. TIL
boat owners consistently refused -
| submit the question at issue to a,r
| form of arbitration. In ny opinion
| the boat owners by their abrogat: 81
of agreement sOlemnly entered into
| and by their continued defiance not
only of this board bu5 Of all other
governmental agencies which have at
tempted to Intervene, have place.
themselves in an untenaLle position
l am doing everything within my pow
er 10 secure aCtlOn OIL tNe 1cGeraI gov
ernment which will bring about a jus
settlement of the controversy and re.
lieve the terrible conditions which the
action of the boat owners il this case
has produced"
! Hope that rhe strike, at least so f9i
as it affects railroad craft, would b
ended within 4S hours was expressed
tonight by railroad administration CT
ficials, who declared thac unless i
was ended within that tima drastic
action would have to be taken to in.
sure the mvement of food and otI a
supplies to New York city and over.
| seas.
Walter D. Hines, assistant dire.
tor general, was in communication to
day with Director General McA9oo
who was travelling through New Mex
leo. en- route to California, and fre.
quent telephone conferences were helC
with A. H. Smith, regional directo
at New York.
Mr.. Smith reported that every CT
: fort was being made 10 care for pas
senger traffic and keep the city sup
piled with food.
Railroad administration officials re
iterated tonight that the strike of en-
, ployes of railroad craft was purel
sympathetic and that they had n,
grievance as to wages or working con
ditions,