New-York tribune., 1919-10-21
LOngshOremen Refuse to
Deal With Any Board
Having Paul Vaccarelli
as One of Its Members
Soldiers to Shoot
If lis Necessary
Gen. Dawson Says They
Are Here to Meet Emer-
gency, Whatever 1t Is

Conciliatory moves in the long
shoremen's strike came to AN abrupt
halt yesterday because of the presence
of F. Paul A. VaccarelIi on the concii-
iation board, appointed by Secretary
of Labor Wilson. Vaccarelli leads one
faction of the longshoremen
Members Of the strike committee and
half of their followers walked out Of
meeting with the Mayor at City Hall
and refused to participate III further
conferences unless the man to whom
they objected was unseated Moreover.
they announced their decision TO take
no part in the conciliation mass meet
ing to be addressed by Mayor Hylar
at Tammany Hall this afternoon. and
said they would not accept any action
taken at that meeting il Naccarelli
were present.
Vaccarelli said he would "stand pat
He refused to resign from the commits
sion. He said he would sit in to-day's
meeting. Secretary of Labor Wilson
said by telegraph, that he would not
withdraw Naccarelli.
! Thus the situation stood last night
,in the face of the refusal OF Secretary
troops to the city III connection with
the strike. The Secretary indicated
thaS government business would be
kept moving no matter what measure
were required to accomplish it,
Turns Down Mayors Request
Secretary Baker yesterday turned
down the suggestion of Mayor Hylan
that the bringing of troops to the port
be postponed until further cfforts
were made to settle the controversy.
In a message to b. NJ. Squres, secre-
tary Of the National Adjustment Com
mission, Secretary of Labor Wilson as
serted that "engagements solemnly
entered into must be carried out"
The 500 soldiers of the 18th Infan-
try brought, up from Newport News
on the transport George Washington
we're landed at Hoboken shortly after
8 a. m. The men wore their service
uniforms, many with overseas chevrons
and wound stripes. most of them hav-
ing been with the lst Division In
France. They will be quartercd At
Governors Island
Brigadier General Peter W Dawson.
chief troop movement officer Of the
Port Of Embarkation, said the men were
to work at the army base az South
Brooklyn. Asked if they would also
be used to picket North River dock
ne said;
"Wel, if We need them to do guard
duty We will put them 20 do puard
duty; if we need them 10 lead ships
we will put them to loading ship
and if we find it necessary 10 send
some of them out TO shoot some people
they will do that, too
Secretary Bakers Message
In reply to Mayor Hyian's protest,
Secretary Baker wired:
"The troops referred 20 IN your
telegram of the 18th instant
are being transferred to the Port -
New York for duty in connection
with the port activities, particularly
the army supply base at Soutt
Brooklyn. The vessels which tho
War Department is operating are
public vessels and their oneration is
essential to provide needed supplies
for our forces abroad and for the
return of emergency men still to be
brought back from France
"The port authorities have been
directed to maintain This service and
t. take whatever steps may be re
quired to continue the necessary
operations at the port | will CO
operate with you in my possible way
to bring about an adjustment of the
strike difficulty. The War Depar--
ment's policy has always been. and
VIII be, to deal fairly with 'abor.
but the maintenance of the transport
service upon which our overseas
army depends, and which is bringing
home soldiers returning from France.
Is part of the war operations Of
the government, and ! intend 70 con-
tinue its operation"
Secretary Baker said further that
troops would be used only on govern
ment owned docks, and not FOR police
duty or as strike breakers on private
piers. He added that not more than
300 troops would be used in keeping
vessels in the government service NOV
ing, the soldiers to be utilized in load
ing and unloading cargoes and coaling
all government vessels putting in at
the port.
Work of Troops Limited
Specific instructions. SAID Mr. Baker.
had been issued that the troops ne not
engaged in any duty beyond that re
quired to prevent interruption OF the
movement of vessels engaged in gov
ernment work. So far, he announced
no participation of the troops in police
work or the guarding of private prop
erty had been authorized.
Secretary Wilson's message to Mr.
SQuires reads:
Regret to learn that the longshore-
mems strike situation is worse. | con-
cur in your statement on the principle
that engagements solemnly entered into
must be carried out. II is the greatest
single asset that the worker has There
can be no assurance Of wage condi-
tions, Of employment, of any other pro-
lection to wage workers. if engage
relied upon. Any other condition
would lead to Tsadrstrial confusion