New-York tribune., 1919-10-24
Appeal Will BE Made to
Higher Authority as
Others Have Done'' if
Workers DO Not Return
Will Use Troops
Is the Belief
5000 Men at Work Yes
terday and More Are Ex-
pected To-day; Mayor
Hylan Calls Conference

issued virtual ultimatum yesterday,
giving the striking longshoremen
twenty-four hours to Get back to work.
If the men fail to return within that
time, an official of the board said, "an
appeal will be made to a higher au-
thority." 1t is understood that the en-
ployment Of troops is contemplated
This move Of the government au-
thorities came on the heels of state
ment issued by the shipowners, ex-
pressing their determination to stand
by the award OF the National Adjust
ment Commission and their refusal un-
der any circumstances 20 recede from
this position.
The two statements were taken some
what in the nature Of reply to an
invitation.sissued to shipping men by
the Mayer yesterday, requesting that
they attend Il conference in City Hali
at three o'clock. The Mayors letter
was addressed TO Oakley Wood and
Frederick P. Toppin, as members of the
National Adjustment Commission. and
to employing stevedores and ship
owners generally. Mr.. Toppin is wee
president of the International Mercan-
tile Marine and the spokesman for the
shipping interests.
Mayor. Hylan's Letter
The Mayors letter reads
Il had conference with the repre-
sentatives of twenty locals of the In
sernational Longshoremen's Association
last night. The ypresented q prpposi-
tion which I would like very much to
submit TO the members Of your organi-
aation. The men feel that if they can
deal with the members of your organi-
zatlon. or committee independent of
ne National Adjustment Commission,
tney may be able to come to some un-
derstanding and return to work. They
seem to have no confidence in their
Huiy elected epresentatives on the
commission. and from whom | have
heen able to learn there is little chance
accomplishing much with the men by
parauasion if their representatives
nom they distrust have anything to
20 with the conference.
I am therefore calling meeting for
o'clock tomorrow afternoon at the
City Hall, and sincerely hope you will
be present. There will be no one pres
ent at this conference except myself
and your committee, together with the
ssevedores and shipowners, if they care
10 attend"
Not Likely TO Attend
II is doubtful if Mr.. Toppin or Mr..
Wood or any Of the shipping men will
attend the conference. Mr.. Toppin said
iast night that he certainly would not
attend as member of the National
Adjustment Commission, that the COM
mission could only be. represented by
its entire membership
Whether I shall attend as a steam
snip owner Ill have to be decided"
nc said, 10y the steamship men to-
morrow. Personally, | can't see what
can be gained by such a conference or.
~ny we should meet with any portion
1f the longshoremen and 90 over the
matter again. The thing has been de-
cidcd by the National Adjustment Com
'nlssion, and the case Of the longsh ore
ment was represented BY their rcgu-
AIRY accredited representatives. ! can
only see in it another attempt to get
away from the agreement"
Statement by Employees
ne case Of shipowners was pre-
sehsrd IN the following statement ad-
areased 70 the members of the Inter
national Lonrshosemen' 5 Associations
and the affiliated locals in the port:
The steamship lines and employing
f~NS'fS 't$i tilhb tfc tllit HdS EViic
FAen they should make frank dec
iAration to you and the public as TO
she'r attitude in the present contro-
gersy
They declare it 20 be clearly under
stood that while they entertain the
fnighest respect and regard for the
mayor Of the City Of New York, and
Whiie they recognize that his motives
70 entering this controversy were Of
me highest and entitled to every. con-
siderstion. they have definitely decided
and bound tnsmselyea in ayreeplc to
strictly observe and maintain the
award Of the National Adjustment
'otnmission in its entirety, and that
.nder no circumstances '2hatever viii
soey be influenced 70 vary from that
position
ihH agreement TO place the case in
me hands OF the National Adjustment
'>ofnfn nssion was' arrived at mutually
pet"scsi the members Of your associa-
lions and the steamship interests. The
'hembers OF the commission were nom
mated as agreed by both sides and the
chairman waS appointed by the United
'''aten government. both sides IN the
controversy bound themselves in open
.ession before ths comm m.ssiop 10 abitin
~ the awsrd ~ the commission, ann
hnis awsrd was rendered after long
ana most patient hearing and mature
elaboration by the commission, and
u mas bbeen officially confirmed and