The sun., 1919-01-14
War Board Overrides Red
Tape and Quick Decision
Will BE Enforced.
TAFT PROCEEDS SWIFTLY
PrcliminarieS All Settled at
Hearing Before Recalcitrant
Owners Get Over Surprise.


workers and employers. AS far rs the
former are concerned the strike issue is
definitely settled. They will remain at
work on terms to be fixed by the Ma
tional War Labor Board.
Forty per cent. of the employers
consisting of all the Federal and mu-
nicipal agencies operating marine en-
terprises in the port of New York. like
wise have submitted the issues of
wages and the eight hour day unre-
servedly to determination by the board
Tho remaining 60 per cent. private
boat owners and now reca.citrant
either will accept the findings of the
board promptly or their businesses will
he taken over by the Government.
This was the situation yesterday af-
ternoon when Joint Chairman William
Howard Taft adjourned until Wednes-
day the hearing called at the cabled in;
structions of President Wilson after a
strike of $1,000 workers had kept the
harbor tied up for three days.
The adjournment followed the with
drawal of the private boat owners from
all participation in the proceedings be-
cause Of the rejection of their demand
that Joint Chairman Basil NJ Manly
and certain otner members OF he labor
group on the board be deuarred from
sitting in the case.
This objection, stated TO be on the
ground that these members had dis
qualified themselves by issuing a state
nent last week in which responsibility
for the strike was laid at the door OF the
private boat owners, was overruled.
Chairman Taft ruling that there was
nothing in the state. .ncnt to indicate that
the members mentioned were unable to
decide tine case on its merits.
Decision to he Made Promptly.
When Paul Bonynge, counsel for the
Boat Owners Association, thereupon an
nounced the withdrawal of the private
employers. Chairman Taft made IT clear
that this action would have no effect
whatever on the programme OF the
board. He announced that a section OF
four members would take such testimony
as the parties had to off6r and report
back 10 the full board in Washington
"Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, when
the board will prepare its decision,
'If the boat owners be advised"
warned Mr.. Taft, they will appear and
be heard In full by the members here or
the full board in Washington. OF course
II makes no difference II all the parties
in the controversy do not appear; the
hearing OF the committee will proceed
In reference to the boat owners the
loard will make recommendations
SO rapidly did Mr.. Taft dispose of
these preliminaries that counsel for
neither of the main parties could main
tain the pace. Mr.. Bonynec. about TO
go into an explanation of the attitude of
his client, was interrupted by the chair
anan's assurance that no explanation was
necessary. Time and again Mr.. Taft
brushed aside efforts of Frank +. Walsh
former joint chairman and counsel for
the union affiliation, to expound the po-
stion of the workers on some particular
point.
With the statement that the public
interest required speedy settlement OF
the case, Mr.. Taft announced the sus-
pension OF the boards customary methods
of procedure, which involve the useJ Of
rather complicated and time taking
committee machinery. Decisions were
announced in such brisk succession and
the chairman leaped so nimbly from
point to point to the end of the session
that some OF the disputants were still
on their feet and In action, but some
distance behind the mental procession
when the former President, having de-
clared the hearing adjourned. was on his
way out OF the chamber.
Large Crowd Mt Hearing.
hoard OF Estimate room in the City Hall
found the chamber crowded to the doors
and n big overflow in the corridors.
After a brief private session in the
1nte-chamber the members of the
board took the bench. They We're Joint
Chairmen Taft and Manly. Vice-Chair-
man William Harman Black and Loyal
A Osborne, j. w, Marsh. c. r. Michael,
c. A. Crocker and John II. Perkins, rep
resenting employers in the board, and
Adam Wilkinson. W. J.. Hutcheson. T.
NJ Guerin. Fred Hewitt and John l..
Manning. the Labor representation.
Mr.. Taft opened the hearing with the
statement that the full board was pres
ent in compliance with the request OF
President Wilson that It take up again
the questions at issue between the boat
owners and the marine workers of
New York The cablegram from the
president TO this effect was then read
by Mr.. Taft and he also read a letter
signed jointly by Secretary OF War
Baker, Secretary of the Navy Daniels.
Director General of Railroads Hines
and Acting Chairman Donald OF the
Shipping Board. stating that their de-
oartments submitted their interests In
the case to the decision OF the board.
Representatives of each of these de-
rartrnents arose in turn and confirmed
die Joint communication from their
chiefs. This having disposed of the
nublic owners, Mr.. Taft called upon the
WORKERS, as complainants. TO state the
case as between themselves and the pri-
vate owners.
Claims OF Workers stated.
Frank p. Walsh. who announced that
,e represented over 90 per cent. of the
workers of New York harbor. said they
demanded AN increase In wages 'suffi-
ciert to assure a decent living and an
aie t-hour day. Mr.. Walsh read into
.hs record the csbiegram sent by the
- lers to President Wilson, assuring
M Continued on sevsnth Page.
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