New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-27
Investigation to Protect
Rights of the Public Is
Started by Palmer at the
Direction of President
Marine Walk-Outs
Also To Be Sifted
Insurgents in ] erse
Claim Great Headwav
With the One Big Union

rection of President Wilson. has be-
sun an inquiry into the railroad strike
situation in the vicinity of New York
with view to protecting the rights
Of the public
The investigation was personally
taken up yesterday by Assistant At
torney General Charles B. Ames, who
Immediately upon his arrival from
Washington went into conference with
Federal authorities and representatives
Of the leading commercial and mercan-
tile organizations of the city.
In addition to the railroad trouble,
:. the investigation, it was announced.
also is aimed to cover the numerous
matine squa5bles that have from time
to time during the last month serious
" disrupted the business of the port.
The Issue Discussed.
A preliminary survey of the situa-
lion was made at yesterdays confer
ence, which was held in the office of
United States Attorney Francis G. CAT
fey, with United States District Attor-
ney Joseph L. Bodine. of New Jersey,
and representatives of the Department.
Of Justice and business associations Of
The city and state in attendance Mr..
Ames later met the heads of coastwise
Shipping lines and leaders of long
snoremep's and affiliated organizations.
SpeciaN emphasis was laid by indus
trial leaders on the extent to which
varioos mbinations, in violation of
the Federal statute, were throttling
the commerce of the city and country,
and the necessity for vigorous action
on the part of the Department of JUS
lice TO see that the claws were en-
forced and the rights of the people
protected"
Among the concrete questions dis
aussed, aside from the railroad strike,
we're:
The longshoremen's and steamship
clerks strike.
Arrangements now existing between
the independent trucking contractors
and their employees through which
the truckmen and chauffeurs refuse
10 haul merchandise to or from their
piers where non-un,on labor is en-
ployed in the tie-up of food supplies.
The refusal Of the receivers and
checkers employed on oceangoing
steamship lines to accept lumber from
non-union truckmen and the refusal
Of the steamship companies 10 provide
transportation of such lumber for fear
Of strikes, all of which is declared to
De a violation Of the Federal shipping
laws.
Combinations on the part Of truck
men and fish handlers in violation
q the Lever act to refuse to haul
I'D handle fish delivered at this port
raich have been caught and con-
ticned by non-union fishermen.
the strike on the part Of the
aarbor marine employees which in
yolves the lightering arll towing of
freight.
Prompt Action Demanded
A committee of the civic organiza-
Mons represented at the conference is
sued statement following the dis
eussion in whict thev insisted tina;
;he government take prompt action to
correct these conditions The probe
: vas brought about by a telegram sent
70 The President by the Merchants
Association some days ago, in which
The gravity Of the situation here was
pointed out and relief asked The in
Sestgation will be continued to-day.
IN the meantime the heralded strike
o. engineers on the Lackawanna Rail
,oad failed TO materialize and the mem
Dsrs OF the managers association an
hounced the roads would be running
on normal basis within forty eigh,
.aoars. What remained Of the little
"a naEd Of Insurgents met in Grand View
nan. Jersey City, in the afternoon
snc, according to Edward McHugh, the
s;'iAe reader, new organization was
canned for the men expelled by the
brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen.
One Big Union Launched
This organization" said McHugh
VII be one big union of all classes
" railroad men who have mem bershiI
10 the Big -Four Brotherhoods. 1t viii
va strictly labor union. The prescn
aaion is nothing more than an in
sHsance company. We will have M
a,gn salaried officers like w. G. Lee
VI tne brotherhood of Railway Train
men whose salary is $4,000 a year
sad expenses
Our officers will be elected by {
'serendun vote, and all of the fortY
no lodges which had their charters
Asoxsc, involving about $1,000 men
III probably be part Of this new or
ssaization. We will get 5000 mer
nom the New York district alone"
Achuyn adced that the members o
.es Big Four who had been expelle'
banned 70 bring suit against tn
1''herhoods 10 recover insurance pre-
salafns os s2 month. He said he wa
sy able 20 compute the entire sum in
,slved- T. 4. Dodge, assistant presi
.>as Of the brotherhood Of Ira nmcn
"a the revocation Of the charter o
@s nine local bodies did not mean tina
ss I'op members were expelled. The.
,l'9iH apply for Reinstatement in othe
%s's. retaining their charters, h
H. 6. Criging, yice-preaidcnt of tn
n'phsrhood of Locomotive Engineers
zt'afsf Jestcrday there was no foun
.s'on Tor rumors 10 the effect tina
.s hig Four brothcrhoods would K
70 nrike Oh April Zs.
:, hefe reportz probably arose. n
IL, from the fact that the men OF
Il. ''acs who we're not Represented II
as managers conference committee o
ns NJ. under Federal control vii
:. ~Ns tnslr requests II their manager
nay day. The law requires tha
~ file their waye increase applica
~shs ny that day"
Wage Demands Presented
W tnis connection il was Learned
ast "zyf denands of 300 Eonton 4
i IIWhz s9op workers. were prevented T.
/ g. Emith, president Of the New Yorj
"sf4t Railroad, yesterday. The dc
49,. fc>sfinssd 90 ases ..ssn,
~PO NOaN.G.
~ zeN Aian'f ge' fsst IN" ri1tIt heir f.
~ MNs3D ~iiI D>f esli the Eood Morn
! ~, .ssssss Eerhs ~ E5D9. 30d 4useft 9n nH
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