Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-28
10 RAILROADS
FEELING GRIP
OF The STRIKE
Chirago Police are Held in
Readiness for Any
Trouble.
DECLARED
ON P~ERISHABLES
Striking Men Claim a Long
List of Grievances Must
be Adjusted.

CulCaBO, July d6-Ine Strlko OF
switchmen belonging to the Brother
hood Of Railway trainmen which was
called yesterday became effective to-
day on nineteen railroads entering the
Chicago switching district. AT the
moor hour 1t was impossible to say,
representatives both Of the switchmen
and railroads declared, when all Of
would go out, as the men report for
work in shifts.
OF the 5000 switchmenr employed
in the Chicago switching district, ac-
cording to the general managers
committee $500 belong to the
Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen.
$500 to the swttchmen's Union OF
union OF belong to some other labor
organization.
James Murdoch, vice president Of
the B. o. r.. T., in stating the griev-
ances Of the men said they decided to
strike after certain rules long con-
tended for had been denied.
The railroad managers assert that
to agree to the demand Of the
Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
would establish a closed shop which
would cause q strike of members OF
the Switchmen's Union Of America.
All the police of the city have been
held in reserve by Chief of Police
~HchueLIlet WHO mas piaceu ms men
in strategic points throughout the
city prepared to rush them to any
point where there threatens any sign
of violence.
Embargo on Perishables
The General Manager conference
committee. representing all the rail-
roads effected as soon as the strike
was called, declared an embargo on
all shipment Of perishable goods and
live stock and notified shippers that
it would be enforced until the strike
is settled.
Although the strike technically is
local it will have national scope to
the extent that it may delay traffic on
all transcontinental roads which CEN
ter in Chicago.
After receiving the strike notice the
managers general committee repre-
senting all the railroads affected APP
bureau Of mediation and conciliation,
who is here attempting to settle diff
ference between the Rock Island rail-
road and its telegraphers to use his
efforts to avert a strike.
Have Strike Anyhow.
George F. Hanover, chairman Of
the roads conference committee, sent
the following notices to the city off,
Gals:
Inc conference COMMITTEES OF man
ayers Of the roads are threatened by
the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
with a strike of the yardmen employ
ed in their Chicago terminals If they
do not make concessions which would
establish the clicked shop in favor OF
members of their Organization and
deprive h management Of the pow
er to select yardmasters and their as-
sistants.
switchmen Also.
THE railroads are also threatened
with q strike of the members of the
ESwitchmen's union employed in their
Chicago terminals il they do not Yield
to the demands of the Brotherhood OF
Railroad Trainmen because this would
close the door OF employment against
many members Of the Switchmen's
union.
The conference committee has pro-
posed mediation by the federal medi-
alton and cancellation board. which
has been declined by the Brotherhood
Of Railroad Trainmen.
Ask for Protection.
This means that there win be 4
great deal OF interruption Of traffic
In the Chicago switching district. and
the railroads will need protection to
enable them to conduct their bust
ness.
DLonles Cnarge.
James Murdoch, vice president Of
the Brotherhood denied that the
switchmen were seeking a closed shop
and characterized the reasons given
out by railroad managers as causing
the strike as .snnonalifiedly Incorrect
He said 98 per cent OF the switch-
me had voted in favor Of d strike
because the railroads had refused 10
grant requests made by the brother
hood.
h new rules sought would give
preference to members OF the brother
hood in employing yardmen, give pref
|erence to yardmen in promotions ID
yardmasters, and prohibit the compa-
MES from reinstating men Justly dis
charged In disregard to the rights OF
other loyal yardrmen, according to
Mr.. Murdoch.
The boy who thinks he can do 4
mans work usually flnds being & man
DOESN'T merely mean beard ard aga,