The New York herald., 1921-03-24
MARINE ENGINEERS
OF ROADS CALLED
TOSTRKE TO-DAY
Unions Threaten to Tie Up
Rail Terminals on At
lantic and Gulf.
MANY TO SCoRN ORDER
Other Boat Workers Said to
Be United to Fight in
Test of Strength.
LACKAWANNA is NOT HIT
$50 Vessels and 1000 Men in
This City Included in Walk
out Demand.
LACKAWANNA is NOT HIT

A strike call, effective this morning.
was issued last night by the execu-
tive committee OF the Atlantic and
Gulf districts of the Marine Engineers
Association, which union leaders de-
claro will result in a tieup of rail-
road towing along the entire Atlantic
virtually certain last night that many
of the men would not respond to the,
call ana that the affair promises TO
become tho first test OF strength be-
tween the union leaders and the rail-
roads in the effort at wage readjust-
ment-
The executive committee issued the
strike call because the men, individ-
ually, have been signing the wage re-
duction agreements presented to them
by the railroad officials, the union
leaders declaring that the men hav.
no right to go over their heads in mat
ters involving wage scales. These
agreements bind the men to go back
| TO the scale as Il stood last year be-
| fore the United States Railroad Labor
Board granted increases averaging 70
per cent.
The action of the executive commit
tee in calling a strike followed meet
ings of the New York and Philadelphia
locals held this week, the leaders said.
at which il was voted not to accept
the decrease and to go on strike. This
decision was referred to the interna-
tional president and then to the execu-
tive COMMITTEES for the Atlantic and
Gulf coast districts. It was impossible
to learn how many men attended these
meetings.
In the history or haroor difficulties
the other marine workers have always
followed the lead of the engineers.
and Capt. William Maher. head OF the
United Association of Masters. Mates
and Pilots said that his organiza-
tion was prepared to back them to the
last ditch. But il is not known
whether he referred to the union
leaders or to the men who have ham
0ASN siO vase liidIbCN
Affects 1000 Men Here.
In New York Harbor the strike II ef-
fective will affect about $50 boats and
1000 men, including captains, mates.
engineers, oilers. pilots. deckhands and
firemen. The strike action of either tine
engineers or the masters. mates ard
pilots OF course necessitates similar ac-
tion OH the part of the crew. II is pos
ssble that the men on the Sound boats
will hold off. as there are indications
that the Sound boat owners may make
concessions.
The busy season for coastwfse ship
ping Is just beginning and a strike
would interfere with the movement OF
coal, lumber and general merchandise
between this port and others on the At
lantic coast.
Thomas Il Healey, general manager
OF the engineers association, was conf
dent that the marine workers would sup
port the action OF the organization. not
withstanding that many have told the
railroad managers that they were will
Ing 70 return 10 the old wage conditions
Tho marine leaders contend that the
men on the New Haven boats stood sol
idly 10 man against a decrease and
that a majority OF those on the boats OF
the Central Railroad OF New Jersey
have done the same. Similar action is
said TO have been taken by the marine
workers for the Philadelphia and Read
Ing. The leaders admit that workers on
tho New York Central boats have signed
the agreement In large numbers.
The only road entering New York that
II not affected IL the Lackawanna. which
operates its water equipment on a nom
union basis.
Lackawanns Men 60 Ffsst.
On the ground that the economic situ-
alton does not justify a decrease In
wages. 1000 maintenance OF way en-
pioyees OF the Delaware, Lackavanna
Western Railroad served notice yester.
day on r. NJ. Rino, me roads general
manager, that they would not accept the
proposed wage cuts OF from sis TO ~
cents an hour.
At a conference a week ago tho Lacka-
wanna officials presented elaborate
charts setting forth tho economic situa-
tion and Indicating that wages paid la
borers In other industries were lower
than those paid to railroad men. The
men contend that the general chairmon
OF tho shop crafts and clerks are united
In the stand taken BY the maintenance
OF way men. approximately 1900
workers In all departments arc affected
The union leaders warned tho road
management that Il would be unlawful
TO put into effect any reduction on April
/. IN proposed. unless authorized by the
Railroad Labor Board. Immediate APP
peal win be taken 20 the board. officlals
OF the Lackawanna said last night
campaign OF publicity has been
lnaugurated by tho national conference
Of the State Manufacturers Associa-
tions, OF which William Butterworth of
Deere & Co. Is president The associa-
tion says IL is interested IN seeing
freight rates come down and believes
lowering OF rail- wages and the abru-
(nAiAn-..a al 4LrLh PM