New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-05
HarbOr Leader
Plans Strike
OF 100000
W. A. Maher Says He, Healy,
Stanton and Vaccarelli
Are Working OH Nation
Wide Walk-Out of Labor
Ferries Run Normally
Union Chief Charges 8-Ho..r
Day Is Threatened by
s'Employers' Conspiracy"

William A. Maher, vice president and
secretary of the Marine Workers Af-
filiation and one of the leaders in the
present strike Of harbor workers, an
nounced last night that plans are being
formulated for national strike Of
moro than 100000 trade unionists.
"The general walkout is designed to
head off an alleged movement on the
part of employing interests throughout
the country to do away with the eight
hour day." said Mr.. Maher.
"The preliminary plans, when per,
fected, will be placed before the labor
unions of the nation for Endorsement
and then submitted for final action to
Samuel Gompers and the executive
committee of the American Federation
of Labor"
Plans Being Worked Out
The first steps in the proposed ma
tlonal strike, says Maher, are now
being worked out by committee of
local labor leaders, including Thomas
s. Hcaley, president of the Marine
Workers Affiliation; John B. Stanton,
president of the Port and Terminal
Workers; F. Paul A: Vaccarelli, bust
ness agent of the Harbor Boatmen's
Union, and himself. All of these men
are now jointly directing the strike on
the ferries and other floating equip
ment of the railroads operating in the
Port of New York.
Maher says that from information
in possession of. himself and his as
sociates, the action Of the Erie Rail
road which precipitated the present
controversey was but preliminary
skirmsh in an alleged general assault
to be made on the eight-hour day by
the leading industries of the country.
He insists that the disposal Of several
tugs and lighters by the company to
Charles R. Stewart, Of the Phoenix
Transit Company, was a subterfuge on
the part of the railroad to lengthen
the harbor workers day from eight to
ten and twelve hours and that similar
steps were contemplated by the other
railroads in the port.
"Conferences arc now being ar
ranged" said Maher," for formulating
plans for general and national strike
which shall embrace the 100000
workers within the fold of the Amor
can Federation of Labor and 100000
more Independent unionists. We are
taking this step because of informa-
ton received by US to tho effect that
the powerful employing interests of .he
United States are preparing to com
to deprive the workers of the eight
hour day.
"Sincerity Of Unions"
eve are informed that one of the
first moves of these interests in CON
nection with this scheme is the effort
now being made to introduce the ten
and twelve hour day in the Port of New
York. The fight now being put up
by the waterfront workers is evidence
of the sincerity Of the labor unions on
the question Of enforcing the eight
hour day. 1t is necessary that labor
generally oct on these plans for ma
tional strike.
The campaign for the country wide
those who are planning it are anxious
to have such a strike, but because they
arc not going to lie down when they
hear that leading employing interests
are getting ready to give unionlsts
battle on the clght-hour question all
along the line. We are not going to
be taken unawarcs and az soon as the
move among the employers becomes
general they viii find that the work
ers are prepared TO meet them on the
isgue.
"Being forcwarned Of this mover, cnt
We would indeed be fools if VIC did
no. ssuc a general initiation to the
labor organizations Of the country in
u general defense Of the eight hour
working day now generally observed
in most of the great industries
throughout the nation"
Ferries Running Normally
While the union leaders were thus
threatening the railroads with "A sym
pathetic strike Of staggering proper
fContinuet on ncxt psqs)