The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-04-05
DEMANDS
HALT BIG HARBOR
. IMPROVEMENTS
Counsel for Dock Contrac-
tors Says Wage Costs
Block Huge Projects.
SHIPS ALSO DIVERTED
Millions of Dollars Worth
of Trade Sent TO
Other Ports.
FACILITIES INADEQUATE
$50. 100000 Cunard Line and
Luckenbach Contracts Cited
as Examples.
SHIPS ALSO DIVERTED
FACILITIES INADEQUATE

Henry c. Hunter. counsel for the
Contracting Dockbuilders Association.
issued a statement yesterday in which
he declared that millions of dollars
worth of work involved in many
projects for the expansion Of New
York's harbor facilities are being held
UP by the attitude of labor engaged in
waterfront construction. He does not
believe that there is any likelihood of
further improvements being started
until a reduction in labor costs has
been effected
Lack OF sufficient shipping facili-
ties" said the statement, has resulted
in the diversion OF many million dol
lars worth of trade from New York in
the last year alone. Unable to obtain
adequate accommodations here. many
shipping lines have diverted their ves-
sells to other ports. The Shipping
Board has pursued a similar course.
and as a result there has been not
merely loss of earnings but sharp
decrease in the proportion Of the coun-
try's commerce handled through the
Port of New York.
Attitude of Labor.
Congestion or shipping caused by
the shortage OF wharfage and freight
handling facilities has been pronounced
at times during the past few years. and
with an improvement in the foreign trade
of he United States this experience must
be repeated unless the extensions con-
templated can be got under way. Botn
national and State Governments are
anxious to bring about improvements IN
the situation for the benefft OF the
countrys commerce and private enter
nrise stands ready to fneugurate
projects on large scale provided costs
can be brought TO reasonable figure.
All that stands in the way 10 the atti-
tude of labor.
Before the war dockbuilders In the
port OF New York were being paid at
the rate Of $24 week; engineers. SAT,
and cement workers $3.50 to VA
week The men then worked forty-efght
hours week Since then advances have
been obtained by these trades until
now dockbuilders have been receiving
I So a day engineers $50 week and ce-
ment workers $3.50 day. In addition,
the hours have been reduced from forty
eight to forty-four week
Because OF high wages and short
hours the cost OF waterfront improve
rnents has Increased to such an extent
that Il is practically impossible to OBJ
tn any new work. Out Of more than
5000 dockbuilders formerly employed
loss than 500 are working to-day. The
men continue however. to resist any
move tending toward a reduction in
costs
How extensive and important the
work that is being held up under these
conditions is indicated by the fact that
the Cunard company alone has under
consideration the construction Of docks,
piers and other accessories whose cost
has been estimated at sac. 900. 900. Plans
for large docks. warehouses and freight
handling facilities have been completed
BY the Luckenbach lines and the Dollar
Steamship Company. Although these
concerns are ready TO go ahead all of
them have stated that while high wages
continue they will not have the work OF
construction begun.