The sun., 1919-04-16
STRIKE OF AMI
HARB0R CRAFT
ON TOMORROW
Government Vessels and
Ferries Included in Gen
eral WalkOut Ordered.
10000 ARE AFFECTED
Union Leaders Assert They
Have Been "Double Crossed"
by Federal Officers.

Tomorrow New York will be in the
grip Of port strike OF wider-scope than
ever before. Because they believe the
United States Government has double
crossed" them, the marine workers last
night voted to call general walkout on
Thursday morning at o'clock. This
strike will Involve $1,000 boatmen and
may as result lay off 10000 longshore-
men in New York harbor. An effort will
be made to call out the thousands of
workers engaged In Transatlantic and
coastwise shipping.
Not only will tugs, lighters and craft
Of all description owned by the United
States Government be tied to their docks,
but ferries from Manhattan to Brooklyn,
New Jersey and the islands OF the har-
Dor. including the municipal ferries. In
order to bring Uncle Sam to his knees
capt. William A. Maher. manager Of the
Masters, Mates and Pilots Association,
declared the Charities and Correction
boats running to Blackwell's, Randall's
and Harris Islands would also be stopped
The last time the boatmen went on
strike, which was three months ago, the
labor leaders exempted these department
boats because OF the great danger It
would cause the people housed In the in
st!tutions on the islands. In case Of fire
they would be helpless.
Ask Pilots to Join.
In order that no boats may enter New
York harbor. the Marine Workers Affili-
alton will try to get the Sandy Hook
Pilots Association to join the strike.
Thomas l.. Delahunty, president OF the
Marine Workers Affiliation. last night
requested John II. Pruett. president Of
the Masters, Mates and Pilots Associa-
ton OF America. and william Brown Of
buffalo. president of Marine Engineers
National Association to call out men
employed in all other boats coming into
New York harbor other than those owned
here. The army transport service will
also be included. Two Standard OH
boats were towed by army tugs, and this
Violated the understanding Of the boat
men that no boats OF private owners were
10 be towed by Government craft.
The strike was put of until Thursday
IN order that commuters, business and
the public generally would have ample
time to prepare for II. In the minds
OF the boatowners. the Railroad Admins
tration and the workers themselves,
there is nothing thai can avert the strike
except a complete submission by the
Government to the wishes of the Marine
Workers Affiliation on the question OF
what boats the Railroad Administration
can tow and what boats they must not
tow.
The decision TO strike followed fu-
tile conference between Delahunty.
NIaher and other abor representatives
with Regional Director A. II. Smith oo
the Railroad Administration yesterday
morning. on Saturday ll2 boatmen were
dismissed by the Railroad Administra-
ton for refusing to tow certain boats.
Director Explains situation.
Mr.. Smiths statement on the confer
ence follows:
1.-THE meeting held at IL A. NJ.
to-day, between Messrs. Delahunty.
Maher and other labor representa-
lives and the Regional Director to
further discuss the proposition sub
mitted by the utilization OF marine
workers, to wit, that railroad tugs
shall not tow boats that are owned
or controlled by the same corporation
that owns or controls steam tugs
that are on strike.
The matter was reviewed In de-
tail. The Regional Director pointed
out to Mr.. Delahunty and the other
labor representatives the position OF
lie several railroads and the Railroad
Administration, which briefly Is that
practically all coal arriving at Perth
Amboy, South Amboy, and Port
Reading necessary Ter the citys
needs and steamships was prior to
tho strike and prior 10 the settlement
Of the strike, towed by railroad
tugs; that in paying the men their
wage and settling with them as to
hours OF service il was understood
and expected that they would do the
same work that they did prior to
the strike for which. settlement was
made and increased pay given to the
men; that the railroads as common
carriers have no option but TO serve
generally under their tariffs and In
GOOD faith the public who pay for and
require service from them. provided
hat safety OF the movement Is as
sured and n competent crew fur
nished and that the rates and regu-
iations required by the eailroad COM
panies are complied with by the
shipper
1T is hoped that .ne men will APP
preciate the obligations OF the rail-
roads and be advised by their leaders
to do the work as they did 1t before
the strike, regardless of any differ
ences their unions may have with
other employers who are not common
carriers. The same situation ap-
plies to grain and other commodities
that were lowed prior to the strike
Mr.. Delahunty and the others appar-
emily appreciated the obligations OF
the carriers and promised to further
consider this matter"
Union Decides on Strike