New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-06-05
Bv Vote of 81 to 200
Strikers Decide Not to
Return Pending l. c. C.
Rule on Rate Increase
Open Shop Appeal
Taken to A. F. of l..
Finish Fight to Settle
Disputed Issues Now
Regarded as Certain

Striking waterfront workers, in
defiance of the threat of the COM
mercial interests of the city to place
their industry on an open shop basis,
voted last night to remain out on
strike,
By vote Of 371 to 266, at meet
ing at St. Veronica's Hall, Barrow
and Washington streets, they re-
jected the proposals Of Governor
Smith that they return to work pend
ing his efforts with the Interstate
Commerce Commission to obtain an
increase in freight rates for the
coastwise shipping companies, so as
to enable them to meet the workers
demands for more money.
5000 Out Since March
The 5000 longshoremen involved
have been out since March 6 and have
stood their ground despite every effort
on the part of union leaders and Fed
eral and state agencies to get them
back. Their refusal to return to work
until their pay, 65 cents an hour, was
raised to the level of the deep sea
workers, who get 80 cents an hour, has
had much to do with throttling the
business Of the port and causing the
diversion of large part of shipping
TO other ports.
The sympathetic boycott" of team
s'ers brought on the threatened
industrial war. which union leaders
see in the announced determination
OF the merchants to free themselves
rom the endless labor troubles here.
: It was thought that if the coastw lse
iongsnoremen decided to return the
'rucklng trouble would be obviated
and tne general open shop plans, for
@hicn vi is the merchants are collecting
s9eoU'oOO, would be held in abeyance
lAe decision last night is interpreted
a. direct challenge to the open
snop move, and is expected to precip pi-
tate an industrial struggle of unprece-
aented proportions. The Citizens
transportation Committee has been
preparing for some time for an indie
len4nt trucking system with which
tue sradesmen hope to move their
goods to and from the piers and rail
roao terminals, strike or no strike.
MS service, IN view of the defiant
's''itude OF the strikers, will probably
De put into operation within a few
days
onion leaders have now come to
!ecosn-ze the seriousness Of the situa-
ION, as is evident from the statement
EDWIN Gould, of the Teamsters'
Mon' who warned members of the
TTentral Federated Union at Labor
lemple last night Of the open shop
p-aas Of the merchants
;l!hese men he said, "seem very
solcitous about public that can do
nothing for ITSELF The movement.
eEce'd declared, was really designed to
-, tgfCe me open shop into every branch
~ industry in the city Organized
o' ,aoos, ne declared, must be on its
Peter J. Brady, head of the Allied
.;'.nung Trades Council, declared yes
.s'aay ne would bring the matter to
.e a'tention OF the American Fedora
~" ol Labor convention at Montreal
~ monday and ask the conventions
''pp'ft IN the inevitable" struggle,
Direct Challenge to Labor
ne interpret this movement" he
sH .eH before leaving for the conven-
sn ..on az direct challenge to union
- ana We shall Introduce rcsolu-
'n before the convention and ask the
49, N l.. organizations to stand by
jsa; an tnis city and give the trade
I'es ~ involved their moral and hnan-
support wnen the impending and
ie'.,aoie struggle begins. We shall
Dr. cssappor'ed IN this action by T. V
DIohnor and Joseph Ryan, preside Mt
Shc vice e-presidcnt, rcgpectivcly. Of the
.Hteiha'4onal Long1horemen's Associa
,,'A' and Edward McCafrey, head OF
N" ifahsportation Trades Council"
'vhh Eliey, head VI the Sew York
.1"'ct Council Of the Longshoremen's
,tsaocIasion, zaid: "William Fellowes
t.ofR@n 10 dong his best TO keep the
<pep!e stirred up. We have already
;s.siysa many tele2rams from organ.
ianor IN all parts of the country
silhg mora and financial support, be
4s II - realized that this is fQh,
y, me Ysfy existence Of unionism"
, .hs tfpoole on the piers took on
bhase yegterday With the an
,,nnhrsment o. the ship owners tha
..@,ciess ~ the vo,e Of the long
ii'meh wi.i ateh they intend TO 70 throug'
Afir ppen shop plans and woult
s.1 hsif worHefs both from nnioi
azhiy N''' ''''''''N'
Clash looked For
1.hess plera have been operated here
,so'f ,A.u ~ the closed shop basis Tn
Dfdef is "zpcc'ed 70 be rcEentc'
~ nc ~ fhEU re