New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-12
Tugs Seizure
Is Probable If
Mediators'F Fail
Official Washington Views
Wilson's Order as Giving
Power to Commanders
Eight-Hour Day Forecast
Federal Departments In
volved Already Are Com
lnitted on That Issue

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.-President
Wilson to-day took a hand in the New
York Harbor strike situation. In con-
sequence Of cable message he sent to
the National War Labor Board, re-
questing that body to undertake an i'm
mediate settlement, officials expect the
strikers to return to work at once pend
ing final decision.
The board, Of which William Howard
Taft, former President of the United
States, and Basil M. Manly, are joint
chairmen, will hold hearing in New
York at 10 o'clock Monday morning in
the Board of Estimate room in the City
Hall. A prompt decision is promised
Indications here to-day foreshadowed
decision in favor Of the strikers, in
volving recognition Of the eight hour
day.
President Wilson's cable is inter
preted by officials here as comforting
authority on the War and Navy de-
partments, in the event of refusal of
the parties to accept, to commander
sufficient tugs and other harbor craft
and operate them to prevent con-
tlnuatlon OF the tie-up.
Requests Strikers to Return
On behalf of the board and of the
various departments interested, the
Secretary Of Labor has requested the
strikers to return to- work pending a
settlement
Whether the private boat owners will
submit their case to the board is like
wise still unsettled. They were simply
| notified along with the other parties
to the controversy of the hearing on
Monday. Officials declined to say what
would happen if the boat owners re-
fused to accept the good offices Of the
War Labor Board, but it was believed
that the tugs and lighters would be
put under government operation rather
than permit further stoppage Of
traffic.
The Presidents cablegram was sent
by him in response to message which
OF Labor Wilson calling attention to
the critical aspects of the strike and
the necessity for prompt action. The
Presidents reply was addressed to Jo-
seph P. Tumulty, secretary to the
President
Efforts were made by officials Of the
board to arrange the hearing in New
York for tomorrow, but Mr. Taft, who
was reached by wire at Pittsburgh
found it impossible to get to New York
before tomorrow
New York Hearing Tomorrow
i Following is the announcement
given out this afternoon by Mr.. Manly
and al approved by telegraph by Mr..
Taft: Sin accordance with the drec
ton of the President of the United
| States, the National War Labor Board
will resume jurisdiction Of the New
York Harbor controversy and will hold
a hearing at 10 o'clock Monday morn
ing, january 10, in the Board of EST
mates room, City Hall, Borough of
Manhattan, and proceed to make a
prompt decision.
"The National War Labor Board has
received formal assurance from the
Secretary of War, the Secretary of the
Navy, Director General of Railroad
Administration and the Shipping Board
that they will submit to the board all
interests which they have in this con-
troversy and will abide by anv deci-
sion which the board may make.
"The board has notified the Sccrc-
tary of Labor of this action and has
requested him to take the steps neces-
sary to secure resumption of work
Immediately on the assurance that the
National War Labor Board will make
prompt decision which will establish
equitable wages and working conditions
for the harbor Of New York"
The communication was signed bv
Benedict Crowell. Acting Secretary of
War; Josephus Daniels, Secretary of
the Navy; Walker D. Hines, Director
General Of Railroads, and John A.
Donald, acting chairman of the Ship
ping Board. Brigadier General +. r.
Hines, chief of the army embarkation
service, in contrast with the informa
ton conveyed to the President concern
ing the interference with the movement
OF troops and supplies, authorized the
statement this afternoon that there
had been no such interference
Denies There Is Delay
:. He denied statements published this
morning to the effect that ships bring
ing wounded soldiers from France were
being delayed at the entrance of the
harbor because of the lack of tugs to
convey them to their docks, and that
outbound transports. with food sup
plies for the army aboard, were being
held up. The embarkation service. no
declared. had all the tugs in service
which it required
Officials of the fuel administration
expressed considerable concern this
afternoon over the situation.
The impression in official circles was
that the decision of the National War
Labor Board would be largely inAu-
enced by the fact that the yovcrnmor+