New-York tribune., 1921-05-09
Marine Engineers De-
clare Is p. C. Wage Cut
Unacceptable, but Leave
Door Open for Farley
Chiefs to Confer
To-day at Capital
Government Acts TO Pro.
sect Boards Vessels;
One Injunction Issued

The marine engineers involved in
a., nationwide shipping strike re-
;setsd Yesterday the compromise pro-
,osal advanced by the Washington au-
tborities as basis of settlement OF
the controversy.
At meeting in Cooper Union durin..
.he afternoon representatives of the
engineers employed along the Atlantic.
Gulf and Pacific coats resolved that
be proposed wage cut of 15 per cent,
the vital point at issue, was unsccept~
able. The dooor for an adjustment,
however, was left open by the meeting,
With the granting of full authority o
the union leaders to continue negotia-
tons and make whatever settlement
is deemed advisable.
The union chiefs, including Thomas
B. Healey, head o. the Atlantic coas:
district of the Marine Engineers AS
ISOLATION, and Bert L. Todd, of the
ocean Association of Marine Engineers.
repaired to the Continental Hotel i'm
nedistely after the meeting Ind
framed counter proposition. They
left for Washington on a midnight
train, and are expected to arrive at
the capital in time for conference at
10 o'clock this morning with Secretary
Of Labor Davis, Admiral Benson, chair
nan Of the United States Shipping
hoard, and representatives of the pri-
ate shipping interests.
Hope of Adjustment
Despite the adverse attitude of the
r4pk and file as expressed at yester-
lay's meeting there were intimations
that the prospects of an adjustment
lesulting from to-day's conference
we're more hopeful than ever. This op-
tmism was based on evidence at the
eathering in Cooper Union that the
zen we're in frame of mind to com
.Fomise on the wage question.
As the so-called efficiency wage"
Lased on a plan Of bonuses proposed by
se Washington authorities, is dis
tAsteful to the engineers because Of
its uncertainty and lack Of guarantees,
j; is quite probable that 10 per cent
Ut Eay be ag eed upon.
The Galveston (Tex.) branch of the
aarine Engineers Beneficial Associa-
ticn, however, voted in the nationwide
ca1yass to accept the Washington plan
d a 10 per cent wage reduction with
tRe retention of the eight-hour day.
Meetings similar to that in Cooper
tnion were held at numerous ports
Long the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
sfnest F. Pegg, chairman of the Pa
r.s. {Nio ef-
IS on the Western seaboard had also
eleeted the compromise proposition.
he proposal also was discussed by
eamen meeting at 184 Eleventh Ave
Tue and SO Front Street. II is under
tood the latter, however. viii be
saided largely by the attitude of the
engineers.
The union leaders profess to be
satisfied with the results of the strike
tAus far and insist that they have the
upper hand in the situation. American
,eS5els, however, nave peen leaving
yhis and other ports daily, albeit there
lave been some admissions of delay
ny the boat owners. Yesterday all
vessels scheduled to sail left this port
rrecticspv on tine. These included
the Lenape. for Charleston and Jack
senyiite; Haleric, for Manila and Hong
Aong: Niagara, for Baltimore havrP
and Hamburg; T. N. Barnsdall, for
brunswick, Ca; Orinoco, for Norfolk;
Comal. for Key West and Galveston,
and Ell Vale, for Galveston.
Other Sailings
From New Orleans came word that
tnree vessels with non-union crews
Ia; rad sailed from that port yesterday.
shipping Board officials said they
you'd try to clear two vessels from
baltimore to-day with non-union crews.
There were indications that the
government ist beginning to call into
nj" US resources to prevent inter
iersnce with Shipping Board vessels.
advices from New orleans announce
mat Judge Rufus E. Foster, of the
united States District Court. has is
sSaed an injunction restraining union
leaders from interfering in my way,
with the functioning of non-union sea-
tCenrrnued en- page rnres1