New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Another 1'ie-Up of
Port Is Threatened
Bv Marine Workers
Leaders Say Patience of the
Men Il Ended; Criticise
War Board for Delay; Ex-
pect 8-Hour Decision Soon

According to Thomas l.. Delehunty
Affliation, whose 5000 members tied
up the Port of New York from Janu-
airy to II. and Captain William A.
Maher, ce-president, there are three
possibilities in the struggle of the har
Dor workers against the boat owners.
The first is that v Evcritt Macy,
referee appointed by the War Labor
Board. will render decision in Wash
ington giving the men the eight-hour
day they demand, and will then enforce
it, using the army and navy, if neccs-
sary to commandeer boats and force
the owners TO come to terms.
The second is that the boat owners
will decline to accept verdict of an
e,ght-hour day and that the decision
VIII not be enforced. In this case the
men will see to enforcing the eight
hour day through the strike
The third possibility is that the YER
dict Will not grant the eight-hour day.
In that case, said President Delehunty
yesterday, he will be unable to hold the
men longer and the Port of New York
will very likely be tied up anew.
Decision Expected Next Week
Mr.. Macy will sit as referee in Wash
ington on Monday. A decision is ex-
pected before Friday, as he sails for
Europe on that day Meanwhile George
7. West, assistant to Frank Manly Of
the War Labor Board was in confer
ence with the ,ofhcers of the Marine
" orkcrs' Affiiation here yesterday,
and Captain Niahcr plans to 20 to
Washington tonight.
The eight hour day is not a qucs-
ton for arbitration" said Captain
Maher THE men tied up the Port Of
New York and, on points, they won
their strike
by request of President Wilson
they went back to work. believing the
War Labor Board would carry cut the
expressed policies of the Admlnstra-
tion with regard to the cight-hour dav.
I'VE expect Mr. Macy will do the
right thing. The President has directe d
the railroad administration, the Ship
ping Board and the War and Navy de-
partmonts to commander all Of the
boats in The harbor, if necessary, to
keep the crews on them and to carry
out the award of the War Labor Board
80 that the commerce of the port of
New York Will not be intelfered with -
Makes Attack on Taft
Mr.. Delohunty SAID the men we're
growing tired of waiting for the de-
clslon. He charged that EXPIRES dcnt
William II. Taft had delayed proceed
"Wc had to trail Mr.. Taft all ever
the country, and, finally, when we
caught him ir Chicago he came out
with statement that the War Labor
Board was only taking the plac" Of the
New York Harbor Wage Adjustment
Board, which could not function be
cause Of the attitude of the boa, own
crs, and that he could not see how il
would he possible to put the eight
hour day in effect. Well. we'll ehov
him if it's possible or not
There was never moro determined
set Of men than the marine workers
and they are going to get decent
wages. We have the backing Of the
entire organized labor movement il
New York and vicinity"
Says Patience Is Ended
"Will there be strikc?" Mr. Dele
huntv was asked.
"lt Will not be ordered by us, was
the reply "The mer will take the hi,
in Their teeth. Their patitncc is ended
II the award is not made and enforced
III not be able honestly to look then
in the face and urge them not t
strike.
Hurls Def at War Board
"The entire labor world is watch
ing this movement Of ours. If we car
prove what I've always given it credi-
for then industrial organization has :
decided advantage over the trade unior
movement"
Mr. Delehunty then reverted to tn,
antagonism felt by many laborinr mer
toward the War Labor Board
lhe best thing Mr.. Taft can do j,
resign he said, "if he cannot give suf
ficient time to make the award The,
might as well abolish the board.
"We'd have won if we had STAYED out
And We don't propose to let the Wa,
Labor Board or any other board rob u.
of the fruits of victory We are not go
ing TO wait until the naval resorvist,
arc discharged and there are four mer
to every job"
The Marine Workers. AfIiIation. o.
which Mr.. Delehunty is president, in
cludcs the following unions: Marin,
Engineers, Masters, Mates and Pilots
Harbor Boatmen, Tidewatcr Boatmen
Steam and Operating Engineers ane
Lighter Captains.