NEW YORK TUG STRIKE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24800, 14 February 1946, Page 5

NEW YORK TUG STRIKE

STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER

CHAOTIC PERIOD ENDS iN-Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) NfcW YORK, Feb. 13. The Mayor of New York (Mr William O’Dwyer) last night lifted the restrictions which had virtually shut down the city for 18 hours. Schools will remain closed. 1

The Health Commissioner (Mr Stebbins) in a broadcast said 2,600,000 gallons of fuel oil were delivered in New York during the day, and the Office of Defence Transportation had assured the city of 16 additional tugs to-mor-row.

He said the emergency was brought about by the fact that on Monday night there was less than one-quarter of the city’s daily fuel oil needs. The emergency was now somewhat re-' lieved, but rationing would remain in effect.

Employing the same abrupt technique to end the state of emergency as he had used to announce it, Mr O’Dwyer broadcast the news to bewildered New Yorkers last evening, ending one of the most confused and most chaotic days in the city’s history.

The New York “Daily News” says an improvement in fuel oil supplies was apparently responsible for the sudden termination of emergency, but an equally significant factor was the clamour of the city’s business interests. Representatives of the financial, business, and entertainment industries besieged the City Hall and police headquarters throughout the day. The city was quickly returning to normal last night. Most businesses are expected to be open as usual this morning. Staggering Losses

What the “New York Times” calls “the most drastic disruption of the city’s life since the Civil War draft riots in 1863, resulted in staggering economic losses. The amusement industry, including night clubs, estimated its loss at 1,000,000 dollars during the 18 idle hours, and departmental store owners claimed losses of 3,000,000 dollars. Many businesses are considering taking legal action against the city to recover damages. The Associated Press says: “New York on this Lincoln’s birthday was a silent, bewildered city. War-time restrictions at their worst did not impose such austerities as Mr O’Dwyer’s fuel-saving proclamation, closing ail places except those vitally concerned with public safety and health. Taverns, movies, theatres, and other amusement houses were all closed yesterday. Many thousands of clerks and office workers congregated outside closed buildings', department stores, and other shops, seemingly bewildered and stunned by the Mayor’s unprecedented order. Wall street, ordinarily teeming with people, was as quiet as Trinity churchyard.” Meanwhile the strike continues, although the prospects of a settlement seem brighter. Mr James McAllister, spokesman for the employers, last night announced their willingness to resume negotiations with the union. He said the owners were not opposed in principle to arbitration, but the industry as a whole could not accept wage increases and other costs without adequate price increases.