New-York tribune., 1919-02-28
Marine Workers Notify
Wilson That They Can't
Accept Macy Decision
Union Leaders Fear
''OutlaW" Walkout
Boat Owners Fail to APP
prove the Award-Hint
at an Early Peace Offer

Thomas L. Delahunty, president of
the Marine Workers Affiliation, last
night wired President Wilson notify
ing him that the Macy award is un-
satisfactory to the $4,000 workers in
volved. In this telegram the Prcsi-
dent was told that the leaders of the
men would be unable to prevent a re-
sumption of the strike. which for three
days last month paralyzed the COM
merce of this port, unless immediate
and equitable relief was given.
On the Presidents response to this
telegram and the temper of the dele
gates to the Marine Workers. Affilia-
ton depend whether or not a general
strike order vii! ha issued at a meet
ing this morning at 26 Park Place
The best the leaders hoped for last
night was to be able to fix the hour
for striking at not earlier than mid
night Saturday, thus giving the Presi-
dent at least thirty-six hours in which
to arrange some settlement.
The leaders frankly said that the
danger they are facing is not of a
strike under union auspices, but a gen
eral walkout and disorganized strike
in defiance of the orders of the unions
and the wishes of their officers. Such
strike, they declare, would be certain
TO be marked by disorder and be ex-
tremely difficult to settle.
Withhold Text of Telegram
The telegram to the President will
not be given out until after it has
been received at the White House. Mr..
nelahunty explained yesterday that
this was due the President as a matter
OF courtesy
VIII this telegram have the effect
o' holding up a strike order?" MIR.
Delahunty was asked.
That depends" he explained, ION
low the men feel when they meet in
the morning They may feel that it is
dangerous to longer delay action
DO yon think the President will
have time to attend to this matter?"
If we duplicate the conditions of
January -, when we called off the
strike at his request, President Wilson
may find time to look into the matter
instead of devoting all of his time to
visionary league Of nations.
The men are now in no mood to
monkey with boards or commissions.
They insist on action They are sore
at me now for what did on January
II. when they had the matter vel n
hand but in similar circum stanc.s I
would do the same thing over again.
We just got raw deal in this arbitra-
tom
-Walsh Won't See President
Referring 10 a statement in the
evening papers that Frank P. Walsh.
who represented the afiliation before
the War Labor Board, would present
ts1s matter 70 President Wilson yes
terday, Ar. Delahunty expressed doubt
OF M Walsh having the opportunity.
He is in Washington. that's true.~
tad he, "but it is very doubtful il
he has an opportunity to take the
matter up with Mr. Wilson. We hone
ne viii. bat We have little faith in
his ability to see him"
The union to which the afilia+io,
referred back the Macy award with
the recommendation that thew reject
II and authorize their representatives,
TO call q strike completed voting last
night. All were unanimous in voting
TO strike. The Marine Engineers an
pointed strike committee, as did tho
hosting engineers.
Boat Owners Defer Action
The boat owners were exnected ~
approve the award at a meeting held
IN the Whitehall Club last evening. In
stead, they deferred action, consider
so-e opposition developing on account
os the vagueness Of the award. This
was revealed in formal statement is
Saed after the meeting by Mr.. Paul
bonynges counsel for the several as
sociations- In this he also intimated
mat An attempt might be made to set
ne the trouble within the next few
hours.
"a meeting representative of nrac-
really all OF the private boat owners
o the harnor, has just been held. The
macy award has been discussed in it's
various moods aud lenses. Several
Gnestsons have arisen as 10 It's correct
Interpretation and prompt ruling on
these will be requested.
he meeting vas far from unani
mous in favor Of accepting the award
ana rather spirited opposition to It
developed. In view Of the fact that
the National War Labor Board has
not yet recommended acceptance of the
award by the private boat owners. who
we're not parties TO the submission he
lore 81, IT was decided that it would
os premature to vote upon the quca-
.ion at this time. If the matter had
neen put to vote it is probable that
majority Of those present would have
slSnlt'"d their acceptance or the award
~ II II, however, the matter ia left
open until final action by the War
Labor Bosrd.
Many Of the boat ownerg stated
tbat they had been waited upon bv
otiegatlons Of their employees, who
complained that their leaders had mia
KepfeEenfed them by demanding an in.
Practicable eight-hour day instead Of
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