Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-18
POLICE MUST PROTECT
MEN WILLING TO WORK
Then New York Attempts to Divert the
Business From This Port Will
Come to Naught


MAYOR MooRE's vigorous prot.s.
AVA against the circular sent out by the
United American Steamship Lines Of New
York warning shippers against this city
has called out lame defense from the
steamship company.
The original circular announced that
there was danger of a strike Of dock workers
on the Delaware waterfront and advised all
shippers to send their goods to New York or
Baltimore. Such an attempt to divert ocean
freight from this port could not be allowed
to go on without vigorous protest.
The steamship company has disclaimed
any intention to attack this port. It in
sists, however that It would have been
derelict in its duty If It had not issued the
warning to shippers
The warning was based on the unwar-
ranted assumption that in case Of a strike
or lockout the police of this city would
not be able to preserve order on the water
front
Under the circumstances, the police can
do no less than protect every man who is
willing to work at loading or unloading
ships.
The wages offered are generous. They
are si1tyfve cents an hour. with 81 an
hour for overtime. The regular workers
want 81 an hour for the time between and
s o'clock IN the morning, and their en-
ployers refuse to pay It. It is unskilled
labor. All that is required is hardened
muscles capable of acting all day. There
are capable men out of work willing to
accept it at the pay offered. More than 100
Of them were brought to the city yesterday
and put on the jobs. They were glad to
come. Other hundreds will soon be here
II there Is need for them and II they can
be assured that the men who have thrown
up their jobs Will not be allowed to molest
them.
1t IS the primary duty Of the police in
this emergency to keep order. Every mnn
has the right to work under such conditions
as satisfy him, just as every man has the
right to refuse to work If the conditions are
unsatisfactory. But men who refuse to
work are too often given to preventing
other men from working at the jobs they
have thrown up.
Out Of this disposition riots come TO pass.
especially when the police neglect to act
with decision at the first manifestation Of a
disposition TO make trouble.
In the present case, when one steamship
company with headquarters in New York
is engaged in an effort to divert traffic from
this port It is of the first Importance that
there shall be no interference with the men
willing to work on the piers.
The defense Of the prestige Of the port is
involved. We can. II we will, demonstrate
that labor dispute is not allowed to inter-
fere with the loading and unloading Of car
goes and that We can facilitate the move
ment of ships without loss to their owners
or 10 the shippers
All that Is required Is for the police to
be on the job for twenty -four hours a day.
Neglect or indifference at the beginning has
always been followed by serious trouble In
the end. Sometimes the State constabulary
has been called out to restore order where
there would have been no disorder II the
parties to It had not been allowed by the
police TO have their own way for n few
days.
II Is much simpler to prevent confagra-
ton by keeping watch Of those who would
apply lighted match to inhammabe ma
terinl than It is TO put It out after It has
got under way.
We assume that the Mayor has given his
orders and that they are SO comprehensive
and imperative that 1t vii! be demonstrated
within q few days that there wns no justi.
fration whatever for the circular sent out
by the New York steamship men.