New-York tribune., 1921-05-21
Capital Farley
Splits Leaders
OF Ship Strike
subcommittee of Engineers
Defes Order of Union
TO Drop Conferences
Will, Davis and Return
Men Beaten, Owners Say
Pacific Coast Is Declared
Only Section Firm Against
Is p. c. Wage Reduction


ava 70 split the ranks of the striking
.nsr;ne engineers has arisen through
+hs persistence of the subcommittee in
.ontinuing its negotiations for q settle
ment with Secretary of Labor James j.,
nayis in Washington, after it's mem
hsrs had been ordered back to this city.
The subcommittee, composed of
Bert L. Todd. business agent of the
,eagoing local OF the engineers in this
,ity; William H. Hymau, OF Baltimore,
.pd c. Z. Thurston, of Norfolk, Va,
,epOrted by telephone yesterday that
hey would confer again with Secretary
navis. but were not hopeful of the out
come.
At the time they we're making this
report Thomas P. Healey, chairman of
.be Atlantic and Gulf districts, was
aatlv stating that he would oppose
env agreement this subcommittee
might make if it were based on accept
snce OF the 10 per cent reduction of
wages. He declared that his stand was
based solely on the sentiment of the
men who were determined not to ac-
cent this reduction.
Coast Leader to Fight
Ernest F. Pegg, chairman of the Pa
cifc Council, declared that he would
return to San Francisco and conduct
the strike there separately if any such
agreement were made. At the time the
subcommittee was ordered back to this
city Todd, who is its chairman, said he
would remain over in Washington be
cause Secretary Davis had promised to
have Secretary of War Weeks appeal
10 Admiral William s. Benson, chair
man of the United States Shipping
Board.
The apparent break between the two
factions Of the labor leaders is ex-
pected to be aired thoroughly at the
meeting Of the striking engineers that
viii be held tomorrow afternoon to
receive reports of the leaders. Both
Healey and Pegg declared yesterday
that they would urge the men to re-
pudiate any proposition the sub-com
mittee might make, as it had no power
to negotiate a settlement.
The break dates back to the sudden
and unexpected arrival of Secretary
Davis in this city on Tuesday night,
when the striking engineers We're at
mass meeting in Cooper Union be-
hind closed doors. Secretary Davis
arrived at the hall shortly after 10
o'clock in Todds car and expressed
desire to go inside and address the
men. Healey and Pegg came outside
TO see him. but would not let him go
inside. Secretary Davis then went to
the Hotel Continental with Healey and
Pegg. where they conferred for some
time.
AT Capital Against Orders
Both Healey and Pegg refused to
accompany Secretary Davis to Wash
ington that night, but the following
day the subcommittee went on to the
capital, and have remained there
against orders.
Pegg yesterday showed a telegram
which he had received from San Fran
cisco, which reads: Men here assum-
ing have not yet begun to fight atti-
tude, and believe, if report in this
mornings papers is true regarding ac-
ceptance in East of Is per cent wage
cut with overtime working rule con-
cessions, it will be rebelled against
most strongly on the Pacific Coast. If
they want to break there let them, and
come home. AS we have said before,
We can then fight and do better than
accept such offer. Any number of
companies here willing to pay wages
without any stipulated agreement.
conditions for steamship companies
getting very serious, and if it keeps
up they will be forced to accept any
thing"
Six ships succeeded in sailing from
Ihls port during the twenty four hour
pc gerlod ending at o'clock last night
ihey We're; The Monana, for Gothen-
ocrg; the Somerset, for Philadelphia;
Ihe Middlesex, for Baltimore; the Mu-
SHialres; for Cardenas; the Veedol, for
New new London, and the Jackson, for
winthrop L. Marvin, vice-president
s4 ana general manager of the American
oteamship Owners Association, stated
Yesterday that the strike was practi-
caiiy won and that the negotiations now
gong on in Washington were an at
Tempt Of the subcommittee to save the
union from disintegration. He declared
40 40 proposition had been presented to
tHs gi salpowners as a result of these
u,neTences and that sailings were
practically normal now.