The sun., 1919-10-15
FERRY STRIKE ENDS.
MEN GET INCREASE
Stone, Rail Chairman, Over
looks Violation Of Agree
ment Of March 2.
MAKE NEW CONTRACT
Adjustment Heads Off Con-
templated Extension of
WalkOut.
MAKE NEW CONTRACT

The ferry tieup was ended early to-
day. The Marine Workers Affiliation
accepted an offer of the Railroad Adj
minsitration that provides for what is
roughly 10 per cent increase In wages
Agreement was reached during a con-
ference that began at midnight, and
while the discussion was still under way
one of the officers of the affiliation said
that there was no DOUBT but that the
North River ferryboats would be in OPP
GRAFTON before the beginning Of the
morning rush hour.
The tieup was begun late Friday
night by the North River union of deck
hands and firemen and since then none
ri the downtown ferry lines except those
OF the Lackawanna Railroad have been
giving service no perishable foodstuffs
reached the city through the New Jersey
t. terminals, and the entire railroad traffic
routine of the Eastern seaboard, which
Is dependent on the free exchange of
freight cars in the harbor, has been dis
arranged.
The settlement precluded an extension
OF the tieup that would have been a rep
etition Of the general tiup Of the port
last winter. The East River Deckhands
Union was ready to strike to aid the
North River union bring the Railroad
Administration to terms. The conces-
sion OF the administration applies to
members OF both unions, which together
constitute what is nearly a 100 per
cent. unionization Of the harbor deck
hands oilers and firemen.
Agreement was reached after many
hours of negotiation between the New
York District Committee of the Rail-
road Administration and committee of
the Marine Workers Afiliatony which
includes both of the deckhands' unions.
It provides for a fiat Increase OF $40 @
month, which Is substantially 10 per
cent. increase for workers whose wages
vary from $3.50 a month for oilers to
sS5 for porters The strikers asked rs
per cent. wage increase.
stone Yields Point.
In offering the increase, a. ]. Stone,
chairman of the railroad committee.
said that the suffering and inconvenience
of the public caused his committee to
think that it's view that the strikers had
violated their agreement OF March and
should return to work before being met
in conference should not longer be per-
mitted to remain in the way of a settle
ment The new agreement is for the re-
mainder OF the period Of one year COW
cred in the earlier contract and will ex-
pire March 7 next
The settlement was held up for hours
last night by efforts Of a group OF the
Railroad Port and Terminal Union to
cause the wage increase to be rejected.
This is the North River organization
which declared a strike without warning
late Friday night.
Thomas L. Delahunty. president of the
Marine Workers Affiliatlon, and William
A. Maker, vice-president, were in favor
OF accepting the wage increase as soon
as 1t was offered. The Harbor Boat
mems Union, which controls the situa-
ton within its sphere on the East River
and is dominated by Paul Vacarelli bust
ness agent, fell into line. This unions
referendum was a formality quickly
over.
When Delahunty and Maher went to
Jersey City for referendum by the Port
and Terminal Union, they had to battle
for hours before they overcame radical
agitators, who were eager to have the
union hold out for a rs per cent. in
crease
Delahunty and Maher won, but the
radicals were able to force them to re-
turn to the railroad committee with de-
mands for minor changes in the agree
ment. These had to do with the seven
day week of bridge handlers and other
employees in lighthouses. They were
the subject of the discussion which be-
gan at midnight and which led to the
ending of the strike.
Vacarelli's union had not declared a
strike. The masters and engineers
unions of the Marine Affiliation did not
declare a strike, but their members on
North River boats were not working
because OF the tieup caused by the deck-
hands and firemen.
Trahic Near Normal.
Passenger traffic yesterday. the second
normal business day OF the strike, was
handled much better than on Saturday
AT the stations of the Hudson tubes on
both sides Of the river there was much
crowding, but little confusion. At the
Hudson Terminal. at Cortland street.
policemen assisted the tube coupanys
special officers Jersey City policemen
have been at this work since the ferries
quit.
In the morning and evening PUSHES
commuters were familiar with the new
routes that they were compelled TO use
and this lessened congestion at terminals
and transfer points.
The Lackawanna maintained normal
service under a fifteen minute Roadway
from Hoboken TO Barclay. Christopher
and Twenty-third streets. The ferry
boats were intentionally crowded. Out
side the ferry houses the line OF We
hicles sometimes stretched for a mile
throughout the day,
The tying up OF all the North River
ferries except those OF the Lackawanna
has been serious handicap to vehicular
tranic. Drivers have been subjected
TO long delays caused by detours and in
waiting for an opportunity to board the
boats H. operation.