New-York tribune., 1920-03-13
N. Y. Longshoremen Vote
Walk-Out Unanimously
When Demands for $l
an Hour Are Refused
Entire Seaboard
Tie-Up Imminent
Employees From Boston
to Galveston Balloting:
Companies Stand Firm

AongSnoremen, checkers and steve
dores employed At this port by the
coastwise steamship companies voted
unanimously last night to go on strike
this morning for higher wages. The
strike vote was by way of reply to the
answer their employers returned to
demands the longshoremen made a
week ago.
The answer to the demands was made
through E. R. Richardson, vice-presi-
dent and general manager of the Ocean
Steamship Company Savannah Line)
Mr.. Richardson declared that further
increase in wages was out Of the ques-
tion. Already shipment of freight by
water was SO expensive, he said, that
the railroads were in close competition
with the steamship companies. If the
men insisted upon their demands, he
asserted, it would mean tying up all
coastwise shipping and sending freight
by rail.
Get IS Cents an Hour
By their unanimous vote the men
showed that they accepted the chal-
lenge to battle. They are getting 65
cents an hour now and demand in
creases which would put them on an
equal footing with the deep sea long
shoremen who won their strike a few
months ago. About 1000 men are al
fected in New York. Coastwise long
shoremen's unions were taking strike
vote last night at all Atlantic ports be-
tween Boston and Galveston.
Instead of the 65 cents an hour, with
81 an hour for overtime, the longshore-
men. insist upon 81 an hour and 81
an hour for overtime. The checkers,
for $26, demand $3.50 and forty-four-
hour week. Some of the men who work
for fiat rate of $35 a week are fight
ing for Is per cent increase.
James Riley, organizer of the check
ers' union, declared that an increase in
wages had been promised by the
steamship companies TO- be effective
March l, when private operation of the
lines was resuinedyr This was denied by
representatives Of the company, who
said that the award made by the Ma
tional Adjustment Commission last
October was agreed to by employers
and employees and is effective until
September 30.
Rates Prohibitive
In his reply to the strikers Mr.. Rich
ardson said he was aware of the de-
mands made upon the men by the high
cost Of living and conceded that wages
are rightfully first charge on indus
try, but urged that they be patient un-
til an increase Of freight rates would
enable the lines to reconsider the
proposition of increasing the pay OF
the men # the high cost of living con.
tinued. Just now he said the termi-
nal expenses are prohibitive and that
any further increase at this time would
inevitably put the coastwise lines out
Of business and the longshorcmen en-
would have no work at all.
In letter which he sent yesterday
to the vice-president Of the Longshore-
mems Association Mr.. Richardson
called attention to the fact that the
union had been kept informed Of the
financial situation Of the steamship
companies, and added:
Mature and extended consideration
on our part confirms our conviction
that members of your association en-
gagged In coastwise terminals are paid
fair and reasonable wage for the
work they perform.
"surely 1t must be recognized by the
men that to increase the freight hand