New-York tribune., 1919-01-22
Eigght-Hour Days
Impossible, Boat
Owners Declare
Towings Frequently Take
Longer Than That, They
Explain; Increased Wage
Demand Also Is Opposed

Counsel for the boat owners and
ether employers of labor in New York
Harbor yesterday began to present be-
fore the subcommittee of the War
Labor Board, sitting in Cay Hall, evil
dencc by which they hope to prove to
the governments representatives the
impossibility of yielding to the work
crs' demands for an eight hour day
and increased wages.
The workers counsel, Frank 2.
Walsh, rested his case early in the
afternoon after five days of testimony,
and Paul Bonynge, representing the
employers, called his first witness,
Walter S. Smith, vice president and
treasurer of the Red Star Towing and
transportation Company. Mr. Smith
was emphatic in his contention that an
eight-hour day and increased wages
were impossible.
81 don't see how we could possibly
do it, he replied to a question as to
whether he believed the eight-hour day
could be put into operation on his
boats. declaring that some towings re-
quirc as much as nine or ten hours
with the tide right, and even longer if
it isn't. The increase in expenses also
was cited by the witness.
Shows Increased Costs
MIR. Smith said there had been an
increase in towing charges of IS to 100
per cent since 1915. Coal, which was
s3.15 a ton, is s7o6 and rope, which
formerly cost to IA cents pound,
now costs 32 to 81 cents. Cost Of re
pairs also has advanced he said.
The employers scored when they de-
cined to produce the books of the Red
Star company. Mr.. Fonynge said there
was nothing in the law to compel them
to show them and he would not Chair
man Hutcheson had issued a summons
for them at the request Of Mr.. Walsh,
the court to show the profits Of the
company and what it was paying its
workers.
When Chairman Hutcheson told Mr..
Welsh the committee had no manda
tory power to compel the owners to
produce their books the counsel for
the workers shouted:
81 think it best we do not proceed
further with this hearing until we get
another labor member of this board
Walsh Protests Ruling
"You can do as YOU please about
that" retorted the chairman. and the
hearing went on. after Mr. Walsh had
unburdened. himself Of a parting shot.
He said:
81 want to say that your rulings, Mr..
Chairman, are the most technical
ever encountered. It's the first time in
any forum that | have seen the best
evidence kept back
Jhp workers also withdraw du no
the afternoon all claims for the crews
Of doube-crew tugs operating in Long
Island Sound to New England points.
Mr.. Walsh said if such crews struck
their move was sympathetic, and it
was not up to the unions.
Troubles Of the overworkcd lighter
captains were recounted by S. j. Con-
don, their preventative, who resumed
the stand for the unions at the morn
ing session. Questioned by T. Fl.
Burgess, counsel for the railroad ad
minstration, MIR. Condor said the de-
mand his followers had made for time
and q half for overtime was not de-
signed for earning extra money so
much as to compel employers to confine
the workers activities to eight hours
Memory of Working Days Hazy
Mr.. Condon's memory proved rather
faulty when he was questioned by Mr..
Bonynge. who sought to show That a
great deal of a lighter captains time
is spent in dleness. He did not recall
whether when he was a lighter cap
tain his lighter had meen loaded only
nine times in four months. from Janu-
airy to May, 1917. He also said he
never heard of lighter captain work
ing a 5 longshoreman on an adjoining
lighter while still drawing his own pay
Arthur Knight, the owner Of ono
tugboat, testified he was getting S125
a day for his craft from the govern
ment- 1t cost him $4,000, and has been
guarding munition boats in Graycscnd
Bay, since February 10, 1918 When
Mr. Walsh said boatman had figured
that Knight made Ss5 day profit on
this boat, the owner replied smlinrly:
"Hes a good hgurer III give him 4
job if he can make those figures good"
The government has certainly
treated you nicely" Walsh said as he
dismissed the witness.
Ferry Work Monotnous
Lewis W. Wilson. pilot Of the Eric's
forryboat Suffern, testified for the de-
fence. He said ferryboat work was
"monotonous and trying on the vitality
on monthly basis rather than hourly.
so nc would be assured Of pay even if
the boat were tied up.
new demand was brought out when
Alfred (. Sorcll business agent of the
International Union of Steam and
Gasolenc Hosting Engineers. said his
men were asking for S6 to So a dav
with an eight-hour day and double time
on Sundays and holidays They also
want their employers to pay daily car
fares in excess Of 10 cents.
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