New-York tribune., 1921-04-01
Iusmen Again
Called Out as
Truce Is Ended
Federal Conciliator Fails
to Bring Agreement on
Harbor Controversy and
Strike Is Put i'm Effect
Puts l,5OO Out of Work
Labor Leaders Predict Coast.
wise Shipments in Many
Lines Will Be Crippled

Marine workers employed on tug
boats engaged in the coastwise trade
were called out on strike once again
last night, following the failure OF
DR.. Fred G. Davis, the Federal con-
Citation commissioner, to bring about
an understanding between the union
leaders and the boat owners on the
wage question
1t was said that only about eighty of
the 15O tugboats usually operating
along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
would be affected by tho walkout. as
at least seventy were tied up through
lack OF business. About 1900 en-
glneers, captains, mates, pilots, oilers,
hremen and deckhands will be made
idle. 1t is predicted by the labor men
that the strike will cripple the sllip-
ments of coal, lumber, OIL, grain and
general merchandise between this city
and other ports along the Atlantic
seaboard.
The trouble began. on March /, when
the members of the New England
Barge and Towers Association put into
effect new scale of wages reducing
the mems pay $50 to $50 month. The
heads of the various engineers associ-
ations protested, and several confer
ences with the boat owners proved
futile.
Strike Called March %
On March %, after conference be-
tween represe natives of the Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association, the
Master, Mates and Pilots, the Neptune
and the Ocean Associations of Marine
Engineers, a strike was called, tying
up tugboats here, at Boston, Baltimore.
Norfolk and other points along the
coast.
James J. Davis, Secretary Of Labor
was appealed to, and DR.. Fred G. Davis,
of the Bureau of Cancellation, was sent
here to try to bring about an adjust
ment. truce was called pending ne
gotiations. Representatives of both
sides were brought together, Thomas 3.
Healey, of the Marine Engineers Bene
ilcial Association, acting as spokesman
fer the men, and Charles G. Hanna, OF
the Staples Transportation Company,
acting for the tOwboat owners.
The owners insisted that the reduc-
tlons must stand, that the boats
couldn't be operated at all under the
old scale and that the men ought to
Jake reductions because the cost of
living had gone down and wages in
other industries had been reduced The
union leaders declared, however, that
the reductions were unjustifed at this
time, and made several counter propo-
sitions. One of these was that the
owners pay the men the old rates until
Nav l. when the wage controversy of
the entire shipping industry is to be
settled, and suggested that whatever
decision was arrived at be made retro
active.
Owners Reject Proposal
The owners declined to accept this
proposal and stood by their original
reductions. The wrangling continued
for two days, and when nothing came
OF the discussions yesterday DR.. Davis
announced that no agreement appeared
to be possible. He returned to Wash
ington last night, saying he would re-
port the status of the matter to the
of Labor.
Inerest in the marine wage issue
shifts to Washington to-day for an
other reason. Representatives of the
American Steamship Association will
meet Admiral William S. Benson,
chairman of the United States Ship
ping Board, there to-day in an effort
to obtain from him the Shipping
Boards Endorsement of the wage re-
ductions planned by the independent
operators on May l. Marine organizn-
tions here yesterday sent a telegram
to Admiral Benson protesting against
the one-sided hearing and demanding
to be heard on the matter.