Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-28
RAILROAD STRIKE
IS ON IN CHICAGO
Switchmen Of Nineteen Com
panies Idle Since 6 O'Clock
This Morning.
LINES DECLARE EMBARGO

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. July 2s.-The strike of
switchmen belonging to the Brotherhood
Of Railway Trainmen, which was called
yesterday. became effective at am. to-
day on nineteen railroads entering the
Chicago district. The first report came
from the Van Buren, street yards Of the
Chicago and Alton. where about 200 men
failed to report for work.
The railroad managers conference COM
mittee late in the morning announced that
more than Is per cent of the normal force
was at work In the switching yards. All
Of the roads reported that their passenger
service was little affected.
Announcement was made at the head
quarters OF the switchmen that 98 per
cent Of the $500 switchmen employed by
the roads quit work.
OF the $500 switchmen in the Chicago
switching district, according to the gen.
eral managers, $500 belong to the Broth
erhood Of Railway Trainmen, $500 to the
Switchmens Union Of America and 1,500
are either non-union or belong to some
other labor organizations.
James Murdock, vice president of the
brotherhood, in stating the grievances of
the men. said they decided to strike after
certain rules long contended for had been
denied. The rules in dispute include the
question of preference being given to yard
men in promotion to yardmasters or as
sistant yardmasters the question of OBJ
tanning rule which would prevent the
companies from reinstating men Justly
discharged in disregard of the rights OF
other loyal yarllmen and committees rep
resenting yardmen, and the matter of CIV
ing preference to members Of the brother
1<nS tn r1YNln -iT1lK a~dF
Would Cause Another Strike.
The railroad managers assert that to
agree to the demands of the Brother
hood Of Railway Trainmen would estab-
lish closed shop; which would cause
a 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
Schaettler, who has placed his men at
strategic points and is prepared to rush
them to any point where violence is
threatened.
The general managers conference
committee, representing all the rail-
roads affected, as soon as the strike was
called declared an embargo on all ship
ments of perishable goods and live
stock and notified shippers that it would
be In force until the strike Is settled.
Although the strike technically is
local. it will have national scope to the
extent that II may delay traffic on all
trans continental roads passing through
Chicago.
Appeals to U. S. Mediator.
After receiving the strike notice the
general managers committee appealed
TO George w. Hanger, member of the
federal bureau of mediation and con-
ciliation. who is here attempting to
settle differences between the Rock
Island railroad and it's telegraphers, to
use his efforts to avert a strike.
Mr.. Hanger said:
Il had been in Chicago attempting to
settle controversy between the Rock
Island and it's telegraphers. Although
knew of the trouble that was brew
ing. I did not act until requested to
do so yesterday.
dock, vice president of the Brotherhood
Of Railway Trainmen. From him l
learned that the strike had been de-
clared on and that little could be done
to stop it. The unions committee
seemed to have definitely refused me-
diation. Its members went to the rail-
| road yards to notify the men to strike,
and l was unable to reach them again.
Commissioner William L. Chambers of
the board of mediation and conciliation
was keeping in close touch with the
Commissioner G. w. w. Hanger Judge
Chambers said he was unable to 70 to
Chicago because of other engagements
and felt that Mr.. Hanger was thoroughly
capable of handling the controversy.
Government officials looked upon the
strike with some uneasiness in view of its
probable effect in delaying important war
shipments