Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-07-29
SWltchmen on Nineteen Railroads, to Number of
 5000, Walk Out.
RAILROADS SAY ONLY
 2,5O0 MEN ARE OUT
Strikers Insist on Adoption of Rules Establishing Closed Shop, Managers Say.-6overnment Supplies and
 Mail are Not Delayed.
 

Chicago, H., July Achievement of freight to and from Chicago was handicapped today by the strike on 19 railroads of switchmen affiliated with 'he Brotherhood of Railroad Train men
 For time after the men walked out at 6 a. m., the possibility of me- dlatlon hung in the balance, but be- lore noon the likelihood Immediate federal relief banished with the refus- al Of the strike leaders to accent tho offices of D. w. w. Hanger of the fed efal board of mediation Contending that they sought only establishment of reasonable rules regarding employ- ment promotion and dismissal of swltchmen, the strike leaders asserted that close to 6.OOO men quit work.
 me railroad managers conference committee put the number who refuse to work at less than 2,5O0 and said the cause Of the strike was the insistenca or stflkers on rules which in effect amounted to the establishment of q closed shop against switchmen not members of the B. of R. T. The sit- uation was further complicated by the SWitchmen's Union of America. Mem- bers of this union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and not With the B. of R. T., remained at work and their leaders sent for men from other cities.
 In the eyes of some of those who watched the progress of the strike. If was regarded as a fight between the two switchmen's organization, as well as contest with the railroads.
 Railroad officials declared late in 'he day that their switch yards were working with half of the normal force ana asserted that with such record the first day of the strike demonstrate ed mat the roads could resume nor maj conditions in few days, regard-s less of a settlement of a strike.
 federal officials were advised of the strike and the district att0rnev said that if conditions warranted ac- ton would be taken. Railroad offi- clais said government supplies and Inall had not been delayed. There was no violence reported.
 NOn- Union Voted to Strike.
 Of the $500 switchmen in the Chi- ,ago switching district, according to .he general managers committee 2.- ,oo belong to the Brotherhood of Railway trainment, 2,5OO to the oWltchmen's union of American and l,5OO are either non-union or belong % some other labor organization. It vas stated that out of 1,4O8 switch nen unaffiliated with unions, voted to |trike. Y
 James Murdock, vice president of, he B. o. R. T., in stating the griey- Inces Of the men said they decided o strike after certain rules long con- ended for had been denied. The 'ules in dispute include the question f preference being given to yardmen n promotion to yardmasters or as- lstant yardmasters. the question of obtaining a rule which would prevent he companies from reinstating men ustly discharged in disregard of the 1ghts of other loyal men and commits ees representing the yardmen and he matter of giving preference to the members of the brothrhood in em- 'loying yardmen.
 The railroad managers assert that o agree to the demands of the Bro herhood of Railway Trainmen would stablish a closed shop which would ause a strike of members of the 'witchmen's union of America. While is said that no trouble is expected 2 the walkout. all the police of the lty have been held in reserve bv Thief of Police Scheuttler, who is olding his men at strategic points throughout the city prepared to rush hem to any point where there hreatens to be any sign of violence. 10 undue excitement prevailed at ny of the switch yards and the first len reported to have left work did 0 without any disturbance.
 Embargo on Freight.
 The general managers conference as soon as the strike waa alled, declared an embargo on all hipments of perishable goods and vestock and notified shippers that
 would be in force until the strike is ettled.
 Although the strike technically is 'cal, it will have national scope to 1e extent that it may delay traffic n all transcontinental roads passing trough Chicago.
 After receiving the strike notice, le general managers committees <, all the railroads affect- d, appealed to George w. Han80r. ember of the federal bureau sof
 nv. gAno