New-York tribune., 1919-10-10
l. w. w. Agitators Are De.
clared to Have Caused
Walk-Out in Defiance
of Orders of Unions
5000 Car Loads of
Food Are Held L p
Embargo Laid on All Sea
Freight; 1903 Steamship
Lines Are Paralyzed

York has been completely tied up by
IAN irresponsible mob Of longshore-
men who have been stampeded into an
unauthorized strike by J. W. W. and
Bolshevik Influences" according to T.
Y. O'Conner, president of the Inter
national Longshorcmen's Association.
Both government and union officials
admitted the situation is beyond con-
troll. The number of men now made
idle by the strike at the Brooklyn,
Manhattan and Jersey docks is esti-
mated at 100 0O0 with reports in circu-
lation that the disaffection was spread
ing among the port and terminal work
ers, Of which there are about 100000
here.
Not a ship was loaded or unloaded
by longshoremcn yesterday and in
coming and outgoing freight piled up
on the piers. To prevent further con-
geston W. n. Pollock, Marine Director
Of the Railroad Administration, de-
clared an absolute embargo on al,
transa tlantic and coastwise shipping
at 10 a. m. by prohibiting delvcrance
Of freight by lighters to steamships III
the harbor.
1903 Ship Lines Tied Up
Frederick Topnip. vice president OF
the International Mercantile Marine
Company, announced that no less than
1903 steamship lines have closed their
doors to all freight and passenger
traffic, while 5000 carloads Of perish
able foodstutfs are being held ap be-
cause of the shortage of workers.
The France, Of the French Line,
dockcd at 10 a. M after delay OF
eighteen hours, the baggage being re-
chameau. arriving at noon, was unable
TO dock through lack Of longsh oremcn.
and had to anchor out in the harbor
until this morning. when she will
make an attempt to get into her berth.
The Niagara, Of the French Line, got
away at 9 p. NJ, after d delay of ninc
hours, while the Sousa, of the United
Fruit Companys Line, scheduled to
sail yesterday, was unable to clear
and Will try to get away to-day.
L. S. Authorities Notified
b. NJ. Squircs, secretary Of the Ma
tional Adjustment Commission, whose
caused the wali,-out, brought the
seriousness Of the situation to the at
tcntion Of the Washington authorities
In kilograms to the Secretary OF Labor
". 3. Wilson: Secretary Baker. Sccre-
tary Daniels. and Railroad Director
Hines he said he was convinced that
"thc trouble was due to radical
minority which has been able for the
time being to stampede the great ma
jority of the fair minded workers."
+ The aid Of Samuel Gompers, head
of the American Federation of Labor,
also. is being sought by union leaders
here to help clear up the situation.
Mr.. O'Conner announced that he com
municatcd with M. Gompcrs secro-
tary at Washington. where the LABOR
chief was attending the industrial CON
ference, and requested that Mr. Com
pcrs issue q statement on the attitude
of the federation leaders to the arbi
trary action Of the longshoremen. lie
also suggested that the matter be
brought to the attention of the confer
ence for possible adjustment.
|. W. w. Circulars Distributed
Mr. O'Conner said he was more con
WINGED than ever that the J. W. W. were
behind the movement that caused the
pier workers to violate their agreement
to abide by the decision Of the National
Adjustment Comnii ssion. He made pub
lie circulars that were being dstrb-
utcd among the harbor workers, signed
by the Marine Transport Workers In
dustrial Union No. 8, which, according
to Mr. O'COnncr, is the new name
adopted by the |. W. W. for their water
front activities. These were printed i,
Italian and English, and called upor
the longshorcmen to demand 81 fo1
regular time and 81 an hour for over
time
The strikers continued TO defy th'
union leaders and government authorl
ties who attempted to reason witt
, them. In only one instance have the.
, shown any weakness. A group Of mel
engaged in bunkering coal for arm,
, transports offered to return to thcl
4 jobs. Their offer was accepted.
Early Settlement Possible
vcrsy may be settled within few day
shoremen at Tammany Hall last nigh
ignoring the regular officials of tn
association, the mon appointed a com
:, mittcc, headed by John +. Riley. presi
= dent Of the district council. 20 visi
". the shipowners to-day and try to efFec
,, II settlement. Failing in this, the
;, we're instructed to confer with the Ma
:, tional Adjustment Comm ission.
- A dozen speakers at the meeting. pre-
a sided over by Joseph Ryan, of Ioca
"" "" 791, generally denied the charges G
!, O'Connor that the walkout was sthrte
. by l. W WIS and Bolsheviki. The
said the pier workers at Newpor
a News and those in England would b
= asked to 60 out and tic up the cntir
Il Atlantic seaboard if their dcmnnd
4 we're moi granted. They will meet agai
J. at 164 Eleventh Avenue at 10 n. n