New-York tribune., 1921-05-03
Operators Reject Hoover
offer and Sign Alien
Crews to Get 3 Ships
J. Out and Break Tie-Up
FEDERAL Conciliator
Summons Unions
Coyernment Intervention
Hinted as Pay Compro-
mise Offers Are Reject
ed; May Call Reserves

he Hrst great test of strength in the
ation-wide shipping strike will come
h.day when three Of the larger pas
npesr liners flying the American flag
,,,snpt to sail for foreign ports.
sica,d these three vessels succeed in
having port the union fight against q
general Is per cent reduction in wages
Viii suffer severe blow.
Dr. Fred G. Davis. commissioner of
ecneiiation Of the United States De-
pertinent Of Labor, telephoned last
hight to request the Atlantic and Gulf
Coast Conference Committee to come
q Washington for conference to-day.
He did not explain the nature of the
p,oposed conference, but labor men
rere inclined to> think that the mes-
msa meant Intervention by the De-
prtment Of Labor.
Union Leaders Respond
A. soon as it had been received
Thomas B. Healey, chairman of the
Atlantic and Gulf Coast Conference.
sssrted for Washington with George
Wiley, of Boston; James p. Dukes, Of
Philadelphia; Burt L. Todd, of this
! city, and C. e. Thurston, of Norfolk.
The first day of the strike passed
quietly yesterday without any indica-
tion Of its success or failure being
spparent Despite this the general ac-
siyity Of both sides to the controversy
revealed the following facts:
!. There is very little likelihood of
President Harding acceding to the re-
quests Of the union leaders and inter-
vening IN toe situation.
2. Secretary of Commerce Herbert
Hoover suggested to the ship owners
that the questions at issue be sub
mltted 70 g commission of three men
fof ayoitraticn. This was turned down
A. a special meeting OF the American
night '~ss
BENSON Won't Compromise
S-Rear Admiral William S. Benson
chairman OF the United States Shipping
Soard' declared in Washington that
neze would be no compromise on the
question Of Is per cent wage reduc-
Labor leaders were equally en-
pnat'c IN their declaration Of no COM
promise, and SO far as the marine en-
snsers are concerned it was specifi-
esliy stated that substantial increases
would be demanded.
1.-THE possibility Of the strike
ssshing proportions Of a national
emergency, in which the President
Nouid cali all the marine engineers
xnc are naval reservists to the colors.
vas discussed by both sides YESTERDAY.
Reports from all parts of the
country show that crews were desert
ing their vessels as soon az thev ar
rived In port.
~ lne crux Of ths critical situation
Mssslasy lay in the blunt refusal Of
Ms " sllp owners, the United States Ship
Mng Board and the union leaders to
sonslaer any compromise on the main
saesslon Z Of the is per cent reduction
wages, This attitude foreshadows q
nag and bitter struggle.
+. pvIn the ship owners and the labor
sssgeis sss3 concentrated their efforts yes
ss.s Ss.Gsy on the three steamships sched-
s.sa usa % SAL from this port to-day. The
vussss's vsssss are the Sixaola, Of the United
4 sss's Lime line, sailing to the West Indies;
A.. iss vid North State, sailing for Lon
INV. tvu, ana the Potomac, sailing for Ham
Crew Signed On
..;.ae tae owners were successful in OBJ
i. sia.ag complete crew for the Ska
Sis. X !, which will leave on scheduled time.
IL, e me time the engine room crew were
WY tt;ssns signed on this vessel representa-
49, Ssss oI the union protested to the
ssIusy s?sy United States Shipping Com
a. s%,sas'oner against the employment of
s. lsu Ticket" men. These are aliens
]. ~ = aave taken out their first citizen
ss,p. sp pspers and were permitted to
.s,ss on American merchant vessels
sss y emergency legislation.
sis4srs Vas extremely doubtful last night
AZ ssner the two Shipping Board ves-
o,Hs o,.s va North State and Potomac.
sssed by tho United States Mail
- sssa.usnlp Company, would be able to
Ss,.is hwsy deBpite the statement Of Of
sns,s 's.sis q the company that both ships
sIsssa Jsr'a SAIL on time. The deck crew was
rssI sIsG on the Old North State last
sjsrs,j plt the engine room crew had not
Nos Nsssu M up to Q late hour yesterday.
,@ se,ts's srsy was obtained for the Potomac
ss,ts ~ lew Indications that came to the
'"'As'e Yesterday tended to show that
sCent'Hued oa psss fper)