The Washington herald., 1921-05-08
Norfolk Tug Operators
Quit Tod y in SYM
pathy With Seamen.
VIOLENCE SPREADS
IN N. Y. SHIPPING
Sailors Accept Six Out of
Seven Issues in Con-
troversy.

NORFOLK, Va, May IA strong
guard tonightrwas thrown around
the American steamer Willimatic,
lying partly sunk at her pier at
Newport News, alleged to be the
work of striking seamen.
The vessel was discovered with
twenty-five feet of water in her
hold today. Agents OF the steam
ship company operating the ship
declared that the seacocks had been
opened, and the strikers were ac-
cused of attempting to scuttle the
vessel.
This charge was Indignantly de-
MED by John Nelson, president OF
the Marine Union of Newport News
and other officials of the seamen's
organization.
Tugmen to strike.
Simultaneous with this incident,
it was learned tonight that engi-
neers on every tug boat in the har-
bors of Norfolk and~Newport News
will quit work tomorrow in sym
pathy with the marine engineers,
who have been on strike for the
past week. About 100 tugs operate
here and in most cases three en-
gineers are employed on each ves-
sci.
The willimantic was to load 5000
tons of coal for London and had
5000 tons on board when she was
discovered sinking, most of the coal
being ruined by the water.
Arrests in Brooklyn.
NEW YORK, May THE strike
of marine workers continued here
tonight with violence threatening
along the water front.
Three arrests were made today in
Brooklyn where pier workers said
they were threatened by striking
firemen. Police said the prisoners
were armed with clubs. To guard
against repetitions of interference
with ship workers, police guards
were increased and shipping COM
panies put more watchmen on duty.
Strikers will hold a mass meeting
here tomorrow afternoon to vote on
what is reported to be the sole re-
naming point of difference between
Owners Association.
The meeting was called after a
communication had been received at
headquarters of the International
Seamen's Union from T. B. Healy.
one of their representatives in
Washington, transmitting what he
described as the final offer" of the
owners association and the United
States Shipping Board.
The telegram said that six of the
seven points offered had been ac-
cepted by the union delegates. The
seventh was said to be:
Establishment of a bonus plan in
connection with the proposed Is per
cent wage reduction.
AS the answer to all propositions
was said to have been promised by
rows mass meeting was called inn
mediately.
The other six points, said to have
been accepted by the union, were:
Reinstatement of all strikers: re-
tention Of the basic eight-hour day:
overtime to be paid pro rata on the
basis of the eight-hour day; reten-
tion of the 1920 ship tonnage classi-
one overtime daily
for the most efficient engineers;
elimination of the proposed open
shop" principle.
Striking seamen and marine en-
gineers who stopped work one week
ago. last night were being polled
by leaders in the Atlantic ports on
the newest proposals of Secretary
of Labor Davis to end the strike.
Under the proposal, which is a
compromise between the demands
of the men and the position of the
ship owners, the workers would con-
sent to a Is per cent decrease and
receive an eight-hour day, while
the employers would abandon their
demand for an open shop. The ships
then would continue to operate un-
der the present three-watch or
eight-hour-day system
The result of the poll of the port
strike leaders will be transmitted
to Secretary Davis tomorrow. Chair
man Healey, of the Atlantic Coast
division of the strikers, described
the situation as much worse"
however, after an hours conference
with Secretary of Commerce Hoo
yer.